- Interest in the query “bitcoin” has reached a yearly high according to Google Trends.
- Experts link the surge to the asset’s price drop to $60,000.
- Analysts believe that retail investors are returning to the market.
Increased Search Activity Amid Market Volatility
The cryptocurrency market in February 2026 is showing significant volatility, leading to a sharp increase in interest in bitcoin on search engines. Over the past week, the number of Google searches for “bitcoin” has significantly risen, reaching a yearly peak. According to Google Trends, interest peaked at 100 points during the period starting February 1, 2026, marking the highest level in the past year.
This is reported by Business • Media
This surge in search activity occurred against the backdrop of a sharp decline in bitcoin’s price. The value of the cryptocurrency dropped from $81,500 at the beginning of February to $60,000 in just a few days, marking a low for recent months. After a brief collapse, the price partially recovered, and bitcoin is currently trading near the $68,000 mark.
Signs of Retail Investors’ Return and Market Sentiment
Analysts note that a sharp increase in search queries typically coincides with significant price movements in the market—both during rapid increases and in periods of major corrections. The previous peak of interest on Google was recorded in November 2025, when bitcoin fell below $100,000 for the first time in a long period.
Andrei Dragosh, head of the European division of Bitwise, stated that the dynamics of search queries may indicate a return of retail participants. According to him, the current price fluctuations have attracted the attention of a broad audience that has begun to monitor the market again.
Julio Moreno, head of the research division at CryptoQuant, also noted that after the short-term drop, American investors began actively purchasing bitcoin. However, despite the increased activity, several market indicators suggest a continued caution among participants.
In particular, the fear and greed index has once again fallen into the “extreme fear” zone, reaching its lowest values in recent years. Some experts believe that such levels may indicate potential opportunities for long-term investors, but at the same time reflect high uncertainty in the market.
Previously, a JPMorgan analyst assessed bitcoin’s long-term potential as exceeding that of gold, further highlighting the growing interest in this cryptocurrency among investors.