Bitcoin Drops Below $90K: Expert Warns of ’Wait-and-See’ Phase Ahead

Bitcoin's bull run hits a speed bump—dropping below the psychological $90,000 mark. Analysts call it a classic consolidation phase, but traders are eyeing the charts with fresh skepticism.

The Pause Before the Storm?

Every parabolic move needs to catch its breath. Bitcoin's recent retreat from all-time highs isn't panic—it's digestion. The market's absorbing gains, shaking out weak hands, and building a stronger foundation for the next leg up. Remember, corrections in a bull market are like rest stops on a mountain climb: necessary, not fatal.

Institutional Patience vs. Retail Jitters

While retail traders check prices hourly, smart money watches macroeconomic signals. Inflation data, regulatory whispers, and ETF flows matter more than daily volatility. The 'wait-and-see' stance isn't indecision—it's strategic positioning. Meanwhile, crypto Twitter oscillates between 'buy the dip' and impending doom—the usual theater.

Technical Reality Check

Support levels are being tested. Momentum indicators are cooling. This isn't a breakdown; it's a healthy recalibration. Historically, Bitcoin consolidates after major breakthroughs—it's the market's way of separating conviction from hype. The $85K-$90K zone now becomes the battleground between fear and greed.

Finance's Old Guard Still Doesn't Get It

Traditional analysts will cite this dip as proof of crypto's instability—ignoring that gold dropped 5% last week and no one declared it 'dead.' The double standard is almost charming in its predictability. Meanwhile, blockchain activity grows, adoption accelerates, and the fundamental thesis strengthens.

Bottom Line: Volatility Isn't Risk—It's Opportunity

Bitcoin below $90K isn't a warning sign—it's a billboard. The digital gold narrative survives price fluctuations because the architecture is sound. When the noise fades, the signal remains clear: we're still early. The wait-and-see phase? It's just the market taking a breath before the next sprint.

‘Buyers Aren’t Confident Enough Yet to Step In Aggressively’

,, told Cryptonews that the market is effectively stuck. Neither side is showing conviction. As a result, bitcoin remains trapped in a narrow range:

Bitcoin and the broader crypto market are stuck in a wait-and-see phase, consolidating around $89,000–90,000 after the recent drop rather than breaking down or bouncing hard. Selling pressure has cooled, but ‘buyers aren’t confident enough yet to step in aggressively,’ so liquidity and momentum remain muted.

Dobrovitsky adds that the weakness is not limited to short-term price action. In his view, many altcoins have lost value in a more structural way:

At the same time, years of uncertain and thin liquidity have led to a structural devaluation of many altcoins, with capital concentrated in BTC and a small set of resilient projects while the long tail continues to fade.

This shift has pushed more capital toward Bitcoin. But it has not translated into strong buying pressure yet.

ETF data tells a similar story. Institutional players appear cautious and focused on risk reduction. According to CoinGlass, Bitcoin ETFs recorded outflows of nearly $709 million on Jan. 21. That was the largest single-day outflow since Nov. 20, 2025, when outflows reached $903 million.

Bitcoin Price Tried to Move Higher, but Failed

Over the past few weeks, Bitcoin made several attempts to recover toward $100,000. BTC climbed to $98,000. Sellers stepped in quickly. That reaction was expected. Since then, Bitcoin has been stuck in a tight range. Each bounce runs into selling pressure from investors who bought earlier and are now looking to exit at breakeven. Because of this, rebounds look fragile and risky.

Analysts at Glassnode have described the current setup as a “moderate bear phase.” According to their data, the market has been oscillating for some time between support NEAR $81,100 and the average cost basis of short-term holders.

There is no sign of panic selling. But every upside attempt runs into supply from investors who accumulated during the first three quarters of 2025 and are now using rallies to reduce exposure.

For now, Bitcoin remains in limbo. The market is watching and waiting.

Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.