Bitcoin’s Six-Figure Horizon: Derivatives Traders Place Aggressive Bets on $100K Breakthrough by 2026

As 2026 unfolds, bitcoin traders are demonstrating unprecedented confidence in the cryptocurrency's long-term valuation, placing substantial bets on a historic price surge into six-digit territory. According to data from Deribit, the world's leading crypto options exchange, there has been a remarkable surge in demand for $100,000 call options with January 2026 expiries. Within just 24 hours, open contracts for these options skyrocketed by 420 BTC, equivalent to approximately $38.08 million. This aggressive positioning has propelled the notional open interest for these specific contracts to a staggering $1.45 billion, underscoring a profound and widespread conviction among sophisticated derivatives market participants. This bullish sentiment is not occurring in isolation; it coincides with a broader rally across the altcoin market, suggesting a synchronized upward momentum within the digital asset ecosystem. The scale of these derivative bets indicates that institutional and large-scale traders are strategically preparing for a paradigm-shifting price event, viewing the $100,000 level not as a distant possibility but as an achievable target within the defined timeframe. This activity reflects a maturing market where futures and options are used to express high-conviction, long-term outlooks on Bitcoin's fundamental value proposition and its evolving role in the global financial landscape. The concentration of capital and open interest at this specific strike price and expiry creates a significant market focal point, potentially influencing price discovery and volatility as the expiration date approaches. Ultimately, this derivatives frenzy paints a picture of a trader cohort that is betting heavily on Bitcoin's next major evolutionary leap, positioning 2026 as a potential landmark year for the flagship cryptocurrency's valuation.

Bitcoin Traders Bet on Six-Digit Price Surge in 2026 as Altcoins Rally in Tandem

Bitcoin traders have opened 2026 with aggressive bets targeting a six-figure price breakthrough. Deribit, the leading crypto options exchange, reports surging interest in $100,000 call options for January expiries, with open contracts jumping 420 BTC ($38.08 million) in 24 hours. The notional open interest for these contracts now stands at $1.45 billion, signaling strong conviction among derivatives traders.

Altcoins are mirroring Bitcoin's bullish momentum, creating a broad-based crypto market rally. Wintermute strategist Jasper De Maere notes concentrated activity around 30 January 100K calls, with flow dynamics dominated by position rolls rather than new entries.

Bitcoin Development Activity Surges Amid Market Consolidation

Bitcoin's price action has stabilized NEAR $94,000 after a sharp correction, but beneath the surface, developer activity is signaling long-term bullish momentum. Core development activity has spiked 60% year-over-year, with 135 contributors pushing 285,000 lines of code in 2025—a reversal of the multi-year slowdown since the late 2010s.

Jameson Lopp, Casa CSO, notes email traffic on the Bitcoin Development Mailing List surged alongside code contributions. Historically, such spikes precede structural market moves rather than short-term speculation. With Bitcoin Core still powering 78% of all full nodes, renewed developer engagement suggests confidence in the network's future.

Technical indicators align with the fundamental shift: EMAs show stabilization, and analysts eye a breakout toward $105,000 by early 2026. The resurgence comes as Bitcoin prepares for a major blockchain upgrade, further fueling optimism.

Strategy’s Bitcoin-Backed Financing Model Defies Market Volatility

Strategy’s STRC preferred stock continues to hover near the $100 benchmark, demonstrating resilience in its bitcoin-backed financing model. The instrument last traded at par in early November, triggering approximately $100 million in market sales during a four-day window.

The company’s innovative structure enables Bitcoin accumulation without immediate dilution. Between December 29-31, Strategy added 1,287 BTC to its reserves, bringing its total holdings to ₿673,783 while simultaneously growing its USD reserves by $62 million to $2.25 billion.

With an 11% variable dividend yield and 12% 30-day volatility, the model creates asymmetric upside: a $100,000 STRC sale funds 1 BTC purchase at current prices, creating an $11,000 annual dividend obligation. Should Bitcoin reach $1 million within five years, the position WOULD yield $845,000 in net gains after accounting for dividend payments.

This financial engineering positions Bitcoin as both collateral and growth engine, where the cryptocurrency’s appreciation potential outweighs the fixed cost of capital. The structure remains viable so long as Bitcoin’s appreciation outpaces the 11% dividend rate.

Bitcoin Rises Amid Geopolitical Tensions as Venezuela's Maduro Captured

Bitcoin surged past $94,000, reaching levels unseen since early December, as markets reacted to the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. While analysts caution that the event isn't a direct bullish catalyst, it underscores cryptocurrencies' utility in geopolitical uncertainty.

Crypto-linked stocks like Coinbase Global and MicroStrategy gained at least 4%, while oil stocks rallied on hopes of revived Venezuelan production. The price action reflects bitcoin's evolving role as a hedge rather than pure risk appetite, according to Bitunix analysts.

The cryptocurrency's decoupling from traditional debasement trades highlights its maturing market dynamics. Escalating geopolitical tensions without direct military conflict appear to reinforce bitcoin's appeal as a decentralized asset.

American Bitcoin Corp. Expands Treasury to 5,427 BTC Amid Strategic Accumulation

American Bitcoin Corp. (ABTC) has aggressively expanded its Bitcoin holdings, adding 329 BTC this week to reach a total reserve of 5,427 BTC—valued at $508.5 million at current prices. The TRUMP family-backed firm now ranks as the 19th-largest public Bitcoin treasury globally, surpassing KindlyMd but trailing Next Technology Holding.

Chief Strategy Officer Eric Trump highlighted the company’s rapid ascent, noting its leapfrogging of competitors within three months. ABTC’s market capitalization stands at $1.65 billion, bolstered by a 105% Bitcoin yield since its Nasdaq debut in September 2025.

The accumulation strategy combines mining operations with strategic purchases, including a recent partnership with Bitmain. ABTC has also introduced a Bitcoin yield metric to complement its Satoshis Per Share (SPS) disclosures, reflecting its focus on quantifiable growth.

US Marshals Service Allegedly Sells Bitcoin Seized From Samourai Wallet Creators

The US Marshals Service (USMS) has reportedly liquidated approximately 57 BTC ($6.3 million) forfeited by Samourai Wallet founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill. Documents reveal the Bitcoin was transferred directly to Coinbase Prime for sale, bypassing USMS custody—a MOVE that contradicts Executive Order 14233 requiring forfeited BTC to be held in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

This action raises legal and ethical concerns about the handling of seized cryptocurrency assets. The sale occurred despite clear guidelines prohibiting such transactions, potentially setting a precedent for future cases involving digital asset forfeitures.