Bitcoin must surpass the $85,000 mark to restore its long-term upward trajectory, according to a Deribit executive.

At the Consensus Hong Kong conference, Jean-David Péquignot highlighted the significance of Bitcoin reaching the $85,000 mark, emphasizing its role as a crucial psychological and technical threshold pivotal for restoring bullish market trends. This level is seen not just as a numerical target but as a crucial battleground where market sentiments could dramatically shift, influencing both trader behavior and broader investor confidence.

Arjun Renapurkar

February 13, 2026

Bitcoin's climb back to its former glory above the $85,000 benchmark is not just a figure; it represents a crucial psychological and technical threshold, according to Jean-David Péquignot, the chief commercial officer at Deribit. His remarks at the Consensus Hong Kong conference underscore a broader sentiment that permeates the crypto market-confidence is key, and numbers often tell more than just a price story.

Currently, Bitcoin hovers around $66,600, a figure notably lower than the critical $85,000, which Péquignot identifies as essential to restore the long-term bullish trend. This viewpoint aligns with the broader technical analysis principles where certain price levels become pivotal based on past trader behaviors and future expectations. Here, $85,000 is not merely a numerical value but a battleground of bearish descent and bullish optimism.

The psychological aspect of price thresholds in cryptocurrency cannot be overstated. Market sentiments often turn around these round figures, perceived as key milestones by traders and investors. When Bitcoin approaches these levels, trading volumes typically increase, as do discussions and speculations within crypto communities and media outlets, as Péquignot emphasized.

The relevance of the $85,000 mark also extends beyond mere speculation. It acts as a confirmation point where the market collectively agrees that recovery is in full swing and that the previous downturn might be over. This is crucial for restoring investor confidence, which tends to wane during longer bear phases. The interaction between market psychology and actual price movement creates a self-reinforcing cycle-negative sentiment can drive prices down, just as positive news and investor confidence can push them up.

Support levels like the $60,000 threshold, which Péquignot refers to as a significant psychological level, play a substantial role in determining the market's short-term direction. These levels often harbor large buy orders that can stabilize prices temporarily or even reverse downward trends. However, if these levels fail to hold, as might be the case if $60,000 does not sustain, the next stop could indeed be the 200-week simple moving average (SMA), hovering around $58,000. Historically, this SMA has acted as a robust support level during bear markets, offering a springboard for price rebounds.

In examining these dynamics, one cannot ignore the broader implications for payment and settlement mechanisms within the fintech space. As cryptocurrency increasingly interfaces with traditional financial systems, understanding these price dynamics and confidence levels becomes crucial not just for traders but for fintech firms integrating crypto solutions. For instance, companies offering on- and off-ramping solutions must navigate these fluctuations to ensure smooth transitions for users converting between crypto and fiat currencies.

Moreover, this analysis provides valuable insights for entities involved in the broader payment ecosystem, such as those facilitating mass payouts via crypto, where understanding market conditions could mitigate risks associated with currency value fluctuations during transaction windows.

Ultimately, the emphasis on price points like $85,000 serves as a reminder of the fragile interplay between market psychology, technical thresholds, and the underlying fundamentals. For investors and market watchers, these levels warrant close observation as indicators not only of market sentiment but also of potential structural shifts in the cryptocurrency domain. As we look toward the future, the resilience of these support and resistance levels will likely continue to dictate the pace and direction of Bitcoin's price trajectory.

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