As of Friday, February 13, 2026, the altcoin market is going through a critical turning point that will take investors’ breath away. The sharp price movements on Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Cardano (ADA), Binance Coin (BNB) and Hyperliquid (HYPE) are opening the doors of a new era in the altcoin world. This turbulent market-wide process reveals a picture in which support levels are being tested and strategic decisions are being made.
Bear and Bull Struggle in Market Giants
Although Ethereum closed the week with a modest rise of 2%, it could not disperse the pessimistic clouds in the general trend. In the current chart, the $1,800 level stands out as a vital stronghold; Because the loss of this region may mean that all the gains made since 2025 will be erased in one fell swoop. It seems necessary for the bulls to break the $2,400 resistance wall to regain control. If this level cannot be exceeded, it is an inevitable reality that the price will drift to deeper bottoms instead of a rally extending to $ 3,000.
On the Ripple side, although the 6% weekly gain excites investors, experts warn that this recovery may be a temporary respite. While the 1.4 dollar support is currently the scene of an intense struggle, the possibility of the price falling to the 1 dollar limit remains on the table if the general negative atmosphere in the market continues. This correction process, which accelerates by 2026, indicates a painful search for a bottom for XRP. However, this rapid decline may also allow the real bottom to be found earlier than expected.
Binance Coin (BNB) finally touched the long-awaited $580 support. The ongoing downward trend since October 2025 has forced BNB investors to face a loss of up to 60% in value. If the $580 band cannot be defended, the $500 and $380 levels could become new stops. Historical data reminds us that in such major bear markets, BNB does not find its true bottom until it has moved away from its peak by 70%. This situation shows that the coming days will turn into a test of strategic patience.
Cardano (ADA) closed the week with a 4% increase with the support it received at 24 cents after the massive 38% meltdown it experienced in the last 30 days. For ADA, going above the 30 cent threshold means not only a price increase but also a struggle for dominance. Staying below this level may cause the project to fall into the lowest regions it has not seen since 2020. In particular, the weak performance of Bitcoin and Ethereum poses a risk of increasing the selling pressure on Cardano and pushing the price below the 20 cent level, which could be recorded as one of the harshest bear periods in the history of ADA.
Hyperliquid (HYPE), one of the new generation projects, disappointed its investors by closing the week with a loss of 11%. Unable to turn the $36 level into a permanent support, the asset displayed a technically weak image by creating a “lower peak” formation. Although an intense buyer defense is currently observed at the 30 dollar limit, if this castle falls, it can be confirmed that the upward rally that started at 20 dollars has completely ended. Buyers protecting $30 could provide a last glimmer of hope for new highs, but if it fails, a sharp reversal seems inevitable.
Market discipline and technical analysis prove once again that there is no room for emotion in the altcoin market. While each asset struggles with its own internal dynamics, global liquidity and the moves of major players will continue to be the main factor determining the direction. The key for investors is to monitor the durability of support levels and confirm resistance breaks. This critical week of 2026 is an indicator that charts the main course of the following months.
