Bitcoin (BTC) Weekly Update Price Analysis This Week as BTC Stalls Below $90K (Dec 26, 2025)
Bitcoin spent the week range-bound just below the $90K mark, posting a modest ~0.8% gain over 7 days while failing to break convincingly above $90K.Year-end holiday liquidity is thin, and U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw notable net outflows in mid- to late-December, tempering bullish momentum.
On the other hand, derivatives data shows elevated open interest and positive funding, indicating leveraged traders are still positioned for a potential year-end or early 2026 push higher. Meanwhile, on-chain flows from Mt. Gox–linked wallets moving about 1,300 BTC (~$114M) to exchanges added a layer of caution to the market.
Bitcoin Price Action & Key Levels
Weekly performance
7-day move
Roughly +0.8%, a relatively quiet week compared to earlier 2025 volatility.
7-day range
About $86,745 (low) to $90,169 (high), showing a fairly tight consolidation band near cycle highs.
Current zone
Trading near $88K–$89K, slightly below the local resistance area and well above major structural supports from earlier in Q4.
This consolidating behavior fits the narrative of a market digesting prior gains after running as high as ~$126K in October 2025, leaving Bitcoin still materially below its all-time high but far above early-year levels.
At the post this time.
Short-term technical view
Several analysts and desk notes this week highlighted $87K as an important local support, coinciding with recent on-chain “high activity” price clusters. A clean breakdown below that region could open up a move toward the mid-$80Ks or even deeper retracements flagged by some technical commentators.
On the upside, $90K–$92K is the immediate resistance band, where recent attempts have repeatedly stalled.Volatility remains moderate compared with earlier in the year, but elevated derivatives positioning means any break of this range could accelerate quickly as stops and liquidations are triggered.
News & Narratives That Moved Bitcoin This Week
ETF Outflows and Holiday Lull
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded significant net outflows in mid-December and again around Dec 24, totaling over $1B in withdrawals over several days, signaling short-term de-risking into the holidays.
Mt. Gox–Linked Wallet Activity
Entities tied to the Mt. Gox hack moved roughly 1,300 BTC (~$114M) to exchanges over the last week, reviving concerns about legacy supply overhang.
Big-Picture Wall Street Forecasts
A recent Wall Street note suggested a bullish 2026 target for BTC around $143K, citing ETF adoption and regulatory clarity, though its bearish scenario still envisions a retreat toward the high $70Ks.
Thin Year-End Trading
Multiple outlets describe muted, range-bound price action near $89K in “thin year-end trading,” as many institutions and traders step back until early January.
On-Chain, Derivatives & Sentiment (If Available)
CryptoQuant and other analytics platforms show positive funding rates and open interest near ~$28B across major BTC perpetual futures markets, suggesting leveraged long positioning remains elevated. This aligns with reporting that open interest and funding have surged alongside BTC’s attempts to push past $90K.
Sentiment gauges on major data sites lean moderately bullish, but not euphoric, as traders juggle ETF outflows with belief in a longer-term structural uptrend.
Bitcoin vs Bitcoin? No Bitcoin vs the Wider Crypto Market
Globally, crypto market cap sits around $3.07T, with Bitcoin dominance near 57–58%, underscoring BTC’s continued role as the market’s anchor asset.
Over the past week.
BTC’s ~0.8% gain is roughly in line with broad large-cap performance.
Ethereum and several majors saw similar low-single-digit moves, with some altcoin ETFs even posting inflows while Bitcoin ETFs saw outflows, hinting at marginal rotation away from BTC into select alternatives rather than a full-risk-off move.
In short, Bitcoin remains the dominant asset, but leadership this week has not been aggressively one-sided in BTC’s favor.
What This Means for Traders & Long-Term Holders
For traders (short-term perspective)
Watch $87K as key short-term support; repeated tests could weaken it, while a clean bounce may fuel another run at $90K+.
Immediate resistance is $90K–$92K; any breakout with strong volume could trigger momentum trades and short liquidations.
ETF flows and Mt. Gox wallet activity are important event risks that can abruptly shift intraday sentiment.
Elevated open interest and positive funding rates mean liquidation cascades are possible in both directions if price leaves the current range.
For long-term holders (multi-year perspective)
BTC remains the largest asset in crypto with dominance around 58%, deep liquidity, and growing institutional rails via ETFs and corporate treasuries.
Long-term narratives (digital store of value, halving dynamics, institutional adoption) are intact, but ETF flow volatility and macro policy shifts can create prolonged sideways or drawdown phases.
Watching regulatory clarity around ETFs and custody remains key for large allocators in the U.S. and Europe.
Legacy supply overhangs (e.g., Mt. Gox, government auctions) can periodically re-enter the market but are finite in size.
Risks, Scenarios.
Bullish scenario
BTC defends $87K, ETF outflows stabilize, and derivatives positioning fuels a reclaim of $90K–$92K, opening a move back toward prior highs in early 2026.
Neutral / range-bound scenario
Holiday liquidity and mixed ETF flows keep BTC oscillating between high-$80Ks and low-$90Ks as traders wait for new macro or regulatory catalysts.
Bearish scenario
A break below $87K on strong volume, combined with continued ETF outflows or additional large legacy-wallet sales, could accelerate a correction back toward deeper supports highlighted by some analysts in the $70K–$80K zone or lower.
Wrap It Up
Bitcoin closes the week consolidating just below the $90,000 mark, reflecting a market that is cautious but still structurally bullish. ETF outflows, legacy wallet movements and thinner year-end liquidity have capped upside momentum, yet key support levels continue to hold, keeping the broader uptrend technically intact for now.
Heading into early 2026, traders may focus on how price reacts around the $87,000 support and $90,000–$92,000 resistance band, while long-term holders watch adoption, regulation and macro policy. As always, this is not financial advice; do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making any investment decisions.
FAQs
Q : Why did Bitcoin (BTC) mostly move sideways this week?
A : Bitcoin’s price hovered around the high-$80Ks because holiday trading volumes are thin, ETF flows have been mildly negative, and the market is digesting prior gains after a strong 2025 rally. These conditions often produce range-bound behavior rather than large breakouts in either direction.
Q : What are the most important Bitcoin price levels to watch right now?
A : Short-term, $87K is a key support, while $90K–$92K forms the immediate resistance zone flagged by several analysts. A sustained move below $87K could open deeper downside, while a strong breakout above $92K might invite renewed momentum buying and short liquidations.
Q : How are ETF flows affecting Bitcoin price this week?
A : U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw notable net outflows in mid-December and around Dec 24, signaling some profit-taking and risk reduction into year-end. While this has weighed on sentiment and capped upside attempts, it has not triggered a major breakdown yet, thanks to ongoing derivatives interest and broader market resilience.
Q : What on-chain or derivatives signals are worth noting for BTC right now?
A : On-chain and derivatives data show elevated open interest and positive funding rates, indicating that many traders remain net-long via futures and perpetual swaps. This can be a double-edged sword: it supports upside if price breaks higher, but it also raises the risk of sharp liquidations if BTC moves aggressively against crowded positions.
Q : Is Bitcoin safe for long-term investors after the recent consolidation?
A : “Safe” depends on your risk tolerance, but structurally Bitcoin still holds the largest market cap and dominance in crypto, with deep liquidity and expanding institutional access through ETFs and corporate holdings. However, it remains a highly volatile asset exposed to regulatory shifts, macro shocks, and large legacy wallets (like Mt. Gox) occasionally selling into the market, so long-term investors should size positions and time horizons carefully.