BTC Price Prediction: Will It Reclaim $90,000 Amid Technical Pressure and Mixed Sentiment?

#BTC

• Technical Resistance: The price must overcome the converging resistance of the 20-day Moving Average and the middle Bollinger Band, both near 92,266, to build momentum toward $90,000.
• Sentiment Divergence: Long-term bullish narratives (supercycle predictions, institutional ETFs) are being tempered by short-term outflows from Bitcoin ETFs and security concerns, creating market indecision.
• Catalyst Watch: A reversal of the negative ETF flow trend or a major positive regulatory development (like progress on state-level reserves) could provide the catalyst needed for a decisive break above key resistance levels.

BTC Price Prediction

Technical Analysis: BTC at Critical Juncture Below Key Moving Averages

As of January 24, 2026, bitcoin is trading at, positioned below its 20-day moving average of 92,266.59. This places the price in the lower half of the Bollinger Band, with the middle band at 92,266.59 acting as immediate resistance and the lower band at 87,315.08 providing support.

The MACD indicator shows a bearish crossover, with the MACD line at -646.47 below the signal line at -1,483.23, though the positive histogram of 836.76 suggests some underlying buying pressure may be emerging. 'The price is consolidating in a wait-and-see pattern,' notes BTCC financial analyst William. 'A sustained break above the 20-day MA is needed to shift momentum to bullish.'

Market Sentiment: Institutional Shifts and Regulatory Developments Create Mixed Outlook

Recent headlines paint a complex picture for Bitcoin. Positive institutional narratives include Binance's CZ predicting a 2026 'supercycle' and Wall Street launching blended Bitcoin-Gold ETFs. However, significant headwinds exist: Bitcoin ETFs have seen $1.62 billion in outflows over four days, and high-profile security breaches like the $48 million loss by South Korean prosecutors undermine confidence.

'The market is digesting a clash between long-term structural adoption and short-term tactical exits,' says BTCC financial analyst William. 'While strategic reserves are being proposed in places like Kansas, the immediate Flow of funds from ETFs and the drop below $90k indicate a cautious phase among traditional funds.'

Factors Influencing BTC’s Price

South Korean Prosecutors Lose $48M in Bitcoin Held as Evidence to Phishing Attack

South Korean authorities face embarrassment after a routine audit revealed the disappearance of 70 billion won ($47.7-$48 million) in seized bitcoin from evidence storage. The theft was discovered when prosecutors in Gwangju District found cryptocurrency wallets earmarked for criminal cases had been drained.

Investigators traced the missing BTC to external addresses after detecting unauthorized transfers. Early findings suggest a staff member fell victim to a phishing scam, accessing a fraudulent website that mimicked legitimate services. The breach compromised passwords and private keys stored on portable USB drives—a security practice now under scrutiny.

The incident highlights persistent vulnerabilities in institutional crypto custody, particularly when evidence handling protocols fail to implement cold storage solutions. Prosecutors have launched an internal probe but acknowledge the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions once executed.

Binance’s CZ Predicts 2026 Bitcoin Supercycle Amid US Pro-Crypto Shift

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, has boldly declared 2026 as the year of Bitcoin's supercycle, citing growing institutional support from the US under Donald Trump's influence. This shift could disrupt Bitcoin's traditional four-year halving cycle, historically marked by price surges followed by corrections.

During the World Economic Forum in Davos, CZ told CNBC that macroeconomic conditions and regulatory tailwinds may propel Bitcoin beyond cyclical patterns. While he refrained from price predictions, industry figures like Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes have set ambitious targets of $180,000 and $200,000 respectively for 2024.

The cryptocurrency market often mirrors Bitcoin's movements, making CZ's supercycle theory particularly consequential. As nations increasingly align with pro-crypto policies, 2026 could mark a paradigm shift in digital asset adoption.

MicroStrategy Positions Itself as Bitcoin’s Central Bank Proxy, Says Michael Saylor

MicroStrategy’s capital-markets strategy is evolving into a de facto central bank for Bitcoin, according to executive chairman Michael Saylor. In a Gatecast interview, Saylor framed the company’s shift toward perpetual preferred equity and digital credit instruments as a mechanism to fund continuous Bitcoin accumulation while mitigating refinancing risks.

The pivot traces back to 2020’s COVID-driven market upheaval, which Saylor described as a catalyst for embracing Bitcoin. "The physical economy came to a grinding halt," he noted, positioning Bitcoin as an escape from traditional financial system vulnerabilities during what he termed "the war on COVID and the war on currency."

Pushing back against critiques of excessive leverage, Saylor emphasized MicroStrategy has raised $44 billion in predominantly equity-based capital over 18 months. "We’re funneling that into the crypto economy," he said, characterizing the strategy as a bridge between traditional finance and Bitcoin’s ecosystem.

Bitcoin Open Interest in BTC Terms Fails to Surpass Previous Highs Amid Market Volatility

Bitcoin's price struggles below $90,000 as market volatility intensifies. Derivatives data reveals a cautious sentiment, with Open Interest measured in BTC terms remaining below all-time highs since 2022. Analysts interpret this as restrained leverage usage despite dollar-denominated metrics climbing with price action.

Joao Wedson of Alphractal notes Thursday's bounce primarily reflected USD-dominated Open Interest growth. The divergence suggests traders are allocating capital more selectively rather than chasing speculative positions. This BTC-based metric paints a sobering picture of market participation compared to previous cycles.

Bitcoin ETFs Bleed $1.62B in Four Days — Hedge Funds Exit Suspected

Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds have hemorrhaged $1.62 billion over four trading days, sparking speculation about hedge funds reducing exposure. The outflows coincide with Bitcoin's struggle to reclaim key price levels and the fading appeal of a once-lucrative institutional arbitrage strategy.

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust led the retreat with $22.35 million in redemptions on January 22, equivalent to 249.5 BTC. Despite the withdrawals, IBIT maintains its dominance with $69.84 billion in assets—representing nearly 4% of Bitcoin's ETF-held supply. Trading volumes remained robust at $3.30 billion even as assets under management dipped to $115.99 billion.

GameStop Moves $200M in Bitcoin to Coinbase Prime Amid Potential Losses

GameStop has transferred over half of its Bitcoin holdings to Coinbase Prime, signaling a potential sell-off that could lock in tens of millions in unrealized losses. The company shifted 2,396 BTC (worth approximately $200 million) in two transactions on January 17 and 20, representing 51% of its total BTC reserves.

Originally acquired at an average price of $107,900 per BTC in mid-2025, the current market price of around $89,109 WOULD force GameStop to realize losses nearing $76 million if sold. Blockchain analyst Sani first flagged the transfers via on-chain data, though the company has yet to confirm any disposition plans.

The MOVE comes as Bitcoin struggles to reclaim its 2025 highs, trading 17% below GameStop's acquisition cost. Market observers note the transfers' timing suggests either risk management or capitulation, given the steep paper losses involved.

Bitcoin Drops Below $90K as Expert Flags a ‘Wait-and-See’ Phase

Bitcoin slipped below $90,000 as market sentiment weakened and buyers remained hesitant. Geopolitical tensions and renewed uncertainty around Trump’s tariffs have added pressure, leaving the market in a fragile state.

ETF outflows and structural weakness in altcoins suggest capital is concentrating in Bitcoin, yet momentum remains subdued. Repeated rejections NEAR $98,000 highlight persistent selling pressure, keeping rebounds tentative.

The rhetoric around Greenland and subsequent tariff announcements have injected fresh volatility. With no clear resolution from the US Supreme Court on presidential tariff authority, the crypto market remains in limbo.

Wall Street Merges Bitcoin and Gold in New ETF as Institutional Adoption Accelerates

Bitcoin's consolidation between $87,000 and $90,000 masks a seismic shift in institutional positioning. Bitwise Asset Management's new Proficio Currency Debasement ETF (BPRO) combines BTC with gold, silver, and mining equities—a structural acknowledgment of cryptocurrency's role in hard-asset allocation.

The fund mandates at least 25% gold exposure while dynamically allocating to Bitcoin, reflecting Wall Street's long-term conviction rather than speculative trading. With Bitwise managing $15 billion and Proficio overseeing $5 billion, this vehicle targets persistent institutional flows that could reshape BTC's volatility profile.

Technical analysis reveals the $87,400-$88,000 zone as critical support, evidenced by repeated demand and elongated lower wicks. The compression suggests accumulation rather than distribution—a coiled spring awaiting catalyst.

Kansas Proposes State Bitcoin Reserve Funded by Unclaimed Digital Assets

Kansas lawmakers are advancing a novel approach to cryptocurrency adoption with Senate Bill 352, which would create a state-managed bitcoin and digital assets reserve. The fund would be uniquely capitalized through unclaimed property mechanisms rather than direct purchases.

The legislation cleverly sidesteps political controversy by avoiding taxpayer-funded crypto acquisitions. Instead, it taps into abandoned digital assets including airdrops, staking rewards, and unclaimed cryptocurrencies that fall under existing unclaimed property statutes.

This strategic move reflects growing sophistication in state-level crypto policy. By repurposing dormant assets, Kansas could accumulate bitcoin exposure without the volatility concerns of active treasury management. The bill's framework suggests other states may soon explore similar passive accumulation strategies.

UK Regulatory Approach Lags Behind Bitcoin's Evolution as Financial Infrastructure

Bitcoin has transitioned from a speculative asset to critical financial infrastructure, yet UK regulators continue to treat it as high-risk. The Lightning Network has transformed BTC into a high-speed settlement layer, operating invisibly in payment systems from Square to Cash App. Merchants and consumers transact without realizing bitcoin facilitates their instant, cross-currency exchanges.

This regulatory dissonance stems from a persistent category error. The UK's Financial Conduct Authority groups bitcoin with speculative tokens, applying rules designed for profit-seeking ICOs to what's essentially decentralized payment software. Unlike altcoins with issuers and marketing teams, BTC operates as autonomous network infrastructure - a distinction with profound implications for appropriate oversight.

The friction creates unnecessary barriers for fintech startups. While El Salvador adopts bitcoin as legal tender and corporations integrate Lightning Network rails, British innovators face compliance hurdles better suited to securities than protocol layers. This mismatch threatens to leave the UK behind as global finance quietly adopts bitcoin's operational advantages.

Kansas Proposes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in Landmark SB 352 Legislation

Kansas lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 352, a groundbreaking proposal to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve for long-term financial stability. The bill, led by State Senator Craig Bowser, aims to integrate digital assets into the state's unclaimed property framework, positioning Kansas alongside pioneers like Wyoming and Texas in sovereign digital asset custody.

The legislation redefines Bitcoin and other virtual currencies as "unclaimed property," mandating that inactive custodial assets held by exchanges or banks for three years be transferred to the Kansas State Treasurer. Notably, the bill treats BTC differently from altcoins—while 10% of non-Bitcoin deposits would fund the state's general coffers, the Reserve would hold Bitcoin natively as an inflation hedge, barred from liquidation for general spending.

Senator Bowser's proposal also includes a 10% allocation of Bitcoin ETF holdings for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), signaling a dual approach to institutional crypto adoption. The move reflects growing recognition of Bitcoin's role as a treasury asset among forward-thinking states.

Will BTC Price Hit 90000?

Based on the current technical setup and news-driven sentiment, Bitcoin faces a significant challenge to reclaim the $90,000 level in the immediate term.

The technical data shows the price is currently 1,211.59 USDT below $90,000 and is trading beneath its key 20-day moving average, which often acts as dynamic resistance. The Bollinger Bands suggest the price is in a consolidation phase, with the middle band near 92,266 posing the next major hurdle.

'The path to $90,000 is clear but not easy,' explains BTCC financial analyst William. 'It requires conquering the psychological barrier and the technical resistance clustered around the 20-day MA. The positive MACD histogram is a hopeful sign, but sustained buying pressure, likely from a shift in the negative ETF flows or a major positive regulatory catalyst, is needed to achieve a clean break.' The mixed news landscape, with institutional adoption battling against short-term outflows, supports this view of a contested zone around this key price level.