Bitcoin fell below $67,000, cementing a fifth consecutive monthly decline with a nearly 17% drop in February. A broad risk-off sentiment gripped the crypto market, driven by geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainty. Institutional and retail investors alike shunned speculative assets, leading to a sustained downturn since the October peak.

Heightened macroeconomic fears pressured all major cryptocurrencies. Ether plunged over 20% for the month, exacerbated by founder Vitalik Buterin's token sales. Meanwhile, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs showed a contradictory signal, pulling in $254 million in net inflows on Thursday alone, suggesting some institutional dip-buying beneath the surface volatility.

The downturn forced key industry players to adapt. MARA Holdings pivoted toward AI data center operations after reporting a devastating $1.7 billion quarterly loss, as mining became deeply unprofitable. This strategic shift highlights the acute pressure on crypto miners during prolonged bear markets, where even major corporate holders like Strategy have tapered their Bitcoin accumulation.