0823 GMT - Bitcoin edges higher along with other cryptocurrencies after tech stocks paused their recent falls to allow major U.S. stocks indexes to close with slight gains overnight. However, the cryptocurrency's gains are modest as investors are awaiting more clarity from upcoming U.S. economic data before taking larger directional positions, Saxo Bank analysts say in a note. The main drivers in the near-term are the Federal Reserve's meeting minutes at 1900 GMT and Friday's U.S. PCE inflation data, they say. "Together, these releases can shift expectations around interest rates quickly." Bitcoin rises 0.8% to $68,183, LSEG data show. Ether climbs 0.9% to $2,017. (renae.dyer@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 18, 2026 03:23 ET (08:23 GMT)
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