If Bitcoin also ends March 2026 trading in the red, it will mark six consecutive months of losses, the second time this has happened in the currency's history. Simon Peters, market analyst at trading and investment platform eToro, said: 'Bitcoin started March under pressure amid rising tensions in the Middle East, pushing investors away from high-risk assets. This week, alongside any developments between the US and Iran, we will await the release of a set of US economic data, including the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for manufacturing and services, the private sector jobs change report, and the most important report: non-farm payrolls and the unemployment rate.' eToro also highlighted that Citibank, one of the largest banks in the United States, has announced plans to integrate Bitcoin into its core banking systems, a move aimed at making the digital currency 'bankable.' In the UK, Bloomberg reports that Barclays is exploring the development of a blockchain-based platform to process stablecoin payments and tokenized deposits, though discussions are still in early stages, and no official launch plans have been announced. In January 2026, Barclays announced it had acquired a stake in US-based Ubyx, a company specializing in digital money settlement systems, including tokenized deposits and regulated stablecoins, marking its first direct investment in a stablecoin-focused technology firm. According to the eToro trading platform, Bitcoin ended February 2026 down 15%, recording its fifth consecutive month of decline, and is down 48% from its all-time high of $126,500 in October 2025. The year 2026 marks the first time in Bitcoin's history that both January and February have closed with consecutive declines.
