Bitcoin’s Quarter from Hell: Will It Bounce Back or Go Full Dodo? 🌋💸

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So, Bitcoin’s having a quarter that makes a bad hair day look like a spa retreat. Down 22.54% so far, it’s like the cryptocurrency decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator-straight to the basement. 🛑 And with less than 10 days left in the year, those bullish price targets? Yeah, they’re about as likely as a snowball’s chance in, well, a blockchain. ❄️🔗

Market experts-those folks who somehow get paid to stare at charts all day-are now furiously reassessing their near-term expectations. Because, you know, nothing says “happy holidays” like a crypto market that’s more volatile than a toddler on a sugar high. 🎢🍭

Expert Flags Crucial Bitcoin Levels as Markets Head Toward Year-End 🚨📉

After its October peak, Bitcoin has been facing more headwinds than a sailor in a hurricane. According to Coinglass data, it’s been closing months in the red like it’s collecting stamps. Down 3.69% in October, followed by a dramatic 17.67% nosedive in November. And so far this month? Another 2.31% dip. It’s like Bitcoin’s on a diet, but forgot to tell its investors. 🍔🚫

The poor thing can’t even get a firm grip above $90,000, trading at prices that make the start of the year look like a golden age. Weakening demand, slowing spot ETF inflows, and smart-money selling are all piling on like it’s a crypto pile-on party. 🎉💸

Selling pressure? Oh, it’s been persistent. Bitcoin’s down another 1.8% in the last 24 hours, trading at $87,183. At this rate, it might start asking for spare change. 🪙🙏

Bitcoin's wild ride

Ray Youssef, CEO of NoOnes, says Bitcoin’s “stuck in a compressing, range-bound action bout.” Sounds like it’s in a financial wrestling match and losing. 🤼‍♂️💰 The macroeconomic backdrop is as complex as a Rubik’s Cube, making it tough for Bitcoin to regain momentum below $90,000. Liquidity’s tightening, and risk appetite’s deteriorating faster than a forgotten salad in the office fridge. 🥗🚫

Bulls have defended the $85,000 support, but they’re about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. Meanwhile, selling pressure at $93,000 is like a brick wall-impossible to overcome. 🧱🚧

Options market data? It’s a standoff. Put options are clustered around $85,000, while call options are hanging out between $100,000 and $120,000. It’s like a financial Mexican standoff, but with more spreadsheets. 🇲🇽📊

Youssef reckons the upcoming options expiration, US government shutdown data, and the Fed’s $6.8 billion liquidity injection could trigger short-term volatility. But the market’s directional bias? As clear as mud. 🌪️🤷‍♂️

“Until Bitcoin decisively breaks above the overhead resistance at $93,000 or loses the structural support at $85,000, BTC is likely to remain range-bound and volatile heading into the year-end,” he stated. Because, you know, why make things easy? 🤪📉

Despite a 30% drawdown from October highs, US spot Bitcoin ETF holdings are only down 5%. Institutional allocators are holding on like it’s a rollercoaster they can’t get off. 🎢💼

But who’s selling? Retail investors, of course. Especially the leveraged and short-term ones. Youssef points to $85,000 as the critical level to watch as 2025 winds down. A break below that, and we might see a deeper correction toward $73,000. It’s like watching a slow-motion car crash, but with more zeros. 🚗💥

“A break of the support level could also leave institutional allocators with a decision to make as prices approach their cost basis of approximately $80,000. A $94,000 reclaim is required for the market to reassert bullish momentum and move towards previous market highs,” Youssef predicted. Because nothing says “fun” like a high-stakes financial decision. 🎲💸

Bitcoin’s 2026 Outlook: Will It Rise Like a Phoenix or Crash Like a Flamingo? 🦅🦩

Farzam Ehsani, CEO of VALR, notes that the final stretch of the year has been tougher than a Monday morning after a Sunday night of questionable decisions. Seasonal weakness, overbought conditions, and a shift toward conservative instruments (looking at you, US government bonds) have made it a rough ride. 🌧️📉

Market liquidity? Constrained. Institutional participants? In full wait-and-see mode, prioritizing capital preservation like it’s a national sport. 🏆💰

Ehsani points out that the current correction highlights the market’s fragility and its vulnerability to panic-driven selling. Only two logical conclusions, he says. One, a large market participant is positioning for a substantial purchase, making the decline artificial. Or two, the market’s oversaturated, and the weakening dollar has dampened demand. In that case, recovery might take longer than a soap opera plotline. 📉🧼

“A trend further exacerbated by Federal Reserve policy. In this case, the crypto market may take more than a year to recover,” he mentioned. Because who doesn’t love a good financial drama? 🎭💸

But hey, there’s a silver lining! Ehsani forecasts Bitcoin could hit a new historical high as early as the first half of 2026, returning to the $100,000-$120,000 range by Q2. Because, you know, why not? 🚀💹

“Historically, the first months of the year have not been particularly dynamic: traders tend to adopt a wait-and-see approach, while markets search for new growth drivers and opportunities,” he remarked. Because nothing says “progress” like standing still. 🕰️🤷‍♂️

The determining factors next year? Institutional adoption, regulatory policies, and macroeconomic conditions. Basically, a lot of things that are about as predictable as a Douglas Adams plot twist. 📈🤯

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2025-12-23 11:00