Bitcoin targets $98k – Decoding the liquidity vs. peak cycle debate

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-01-19Last updated on 2026-01-19

Abstract

Bitcoin's cycle is not showing signs of an early peak despite some long-term projections, as global liquidity conditions remain supportive and have even reached new highs. This environment continues to benefit risk assets like BTC. Market risk is being redistributed rather than exiting, with short-term holders in profit and mid-term holders absorbing losses patiently. Price-wise, Bitcoin is consolidating around $95,000 after rebounding from the $91,000–$92,000 support zone. The immediate resistance lies at $97,000–$98,000. Technical indicators like RSI and MACD suggest positive momentum, albeit slightly slowed. If BTC holds above $95K, further upside is likely. Overall, bullish sentiment prevails due to strong liquidity and reduced selling pressure.

Bitcoin [BTC] isn’t quite done yet.

Despite long-term cycle projections indicating a potential peak in the current times, liquidity conditions remain supportive. At the same time, risk is changing hands rather than leaving the market.

What’s next?

Liquidity trends challenge early cycle peak

It is widely believed that Bitcoin’s cycle could peak around early 2026, but those views are mostly based on past patterns. Right now, it looks different, with no clear signs that global liquidity will coil in the coming months.

Source: X

Instead, conditions remain supportive, which has so far helped risk assets like Bitcoin [BTC] perform well. Notably, the Global Liquidity Index has reached a new high for this cycle, so money conditions are still expanding.

Markets do not always follow fixed timelines, and Bitcoin has often moved with changes in liquidity.

Ergo, the chances of Bitcoin seeing upside look much stronger than a cycle top.

Now, as this happens…

…here’s how Bitcoin is handling this phase of the cycle.

Looking at the Realized Price by UTXO Age Bands, risk is being redistributed.

STHs are sitting comfortably in profit, with their realized prices below the Spot level near $95,500. That means recent buyers aren’t under pressure, reducing the chances of fear.

Source: CryptoQuant

Actually, it’s the mid-term holders who have the weight of the world on them. Both the 3-6 month and 6-12 month cohorts are underwater, but it looks like losses are being absorbed in patience.

From a price POV

Bitcoin is taking a moment. At press time, BTC was holding near $95,000 after a strong rebound from the $91,000-$92,000 demand zone. This is a level given strength by visible volume support on the chart. That area is now a key downside cushion.

Source: TradingView

On the upside, $97,000-$98,000 was the immediate resistance, where recent attempts stalled. RSI held above 60, while the MACD was positive, though momentum has slowed just a tad.

BTC looks like it’s consolidating, and if it holds above $95K, a push ahead is on the table.

Final Thoughts

  • Bitcoin traders are bullish as global liquidity hits new cycle highs with minimal pressure.
  • With BTC holding above $95K, risk appears redistributed. Upside possibilities are high.
Next: ‘Ethereum must remove features to survive’ says Vitalik – But why?
Share
  • Share
  • Tweet

Related Questions

QWhat is the Global Liquidity Index indicating about the current market cycle for Bitcoin?

AThe Global Liquidity Index has reached a new high for the current cycle, indicating that money conditions are still expanding and remain supportive for risk assets like Bitcoin.

QAccording to the UTXO Age Bands analysis, which group of Bitcoin holders is currently 'underwater'?

AThe mid-term holders, specifically the 3-6 month and 6-12 month cohorts, are underwater, meaning their realized prices are above the current spot price, but losses are being absorbed patiently.

QWhat is the key downside support level for Bitcoin's price mentioned in the article?

AThe $91,000-$92,000 demand zone is identified as a key downside cushion, given its visible volume support on the chart.

QWhat is the immediate resistance level that Bitcoin's price is facing?

AThe immediate resistance level is $97,000-$98,000, where recent price advances have stalled.

QWhat are the two final thoughts the article presents about Bitcoin's current state?

AThe two final thoughts are: 1) Bitcoin traders are bullish as global liquidity hits new cycle highs with minimal pressure, and 2) With BTC holding above $95K, risk appears redistributed and upside possibilities are high.

Related Reads

Should You Buy SpaceX Stock at $1.7 Trillion? Here's What the Market Is Worried About

SpaceX is preparing for a massive IPO aiming to raise around $75 billion at a valuation of approximately $1.75 trillion. While its achievements in reusable rockets and the profitable Starlink satellite internet service are clear, the market is concerned about the aggressive valuation. Key issues include: the current $1.75 trillion valuation, which is about 94 times 2025 revenue, seems to price in not just existing businesses but also unproven future ventures like AI infrastructure and orbital data centers. Financially, while Starlink is profitable, the AI division, bolstered by the acquisition of xAI, is incurring massive losses and consuming the majority of capital expenditures. This acquisition also introduced complex related-party financing arrangements and debt onto SpaceX's balance sheet. Furthermore, corporate governance poses a challenge. SpaceX's dual-class share structure ensures founder Elon Musk retains absolute control, limiting ordinary shareholders' influence over high-risk, long-term strategic decisions. The future success of ambitious projects like the Starship rocket—critical for lowering costs and enabling new services—remains a significant variable for the valuation. In summary, the market's apprehension (FUD) centers not on doubting SpaceX's past technological triumphs but on questioning how much premium public investors should pay for a future that combines proven profits with highly speculative and capital-intensive new ventures, all under a governance structure that offers limited shareholder oversight.

marsbit10m ago

Should You Buy SpaceX Stock at $1.7 Trillion? Here's What the Market Is Worried About

marsbit10m ago

Breaking the DeFi Cascading Liquidation Curse: Vitalik Proposes a New Solution

Vitalik Buterin has proposed a new DeFi design to eliminate the automatic liquidation mechanism that causes market instability during sharp downturns. The current system, used by protocols like Aave, triggers forced sales when collateral value falls below a threshold, often exacerbating price drops and creating systemic selling pressure. Buterin's alternative model is based on splitting an asset like ETH into two synthetic option-like tokens, P and N, pegged to a price index. Their combined value always equals one ETH. Instead of sudden liquidation, a position's value gradually drifts from its target peg if the market moves. Users must proactively rebalance their holdings to maintain their desired exposure, transferring the management burden from the protocol to the user or automated tools. A key advantage is the reduced reliance on real-time oracles. Pricing decisions are deferred until contract expiry, allowing for more robust, fault-tolerant oracle designs. This removes a clear liquidation threshold that speculators can target for manipulation or MEV extraction. However, significant challenges remain. Frequent rebalancing could incur high slippage and transaction costs, necessitating new liquidity provider models. The design is better suited for hedging instruments than for stablecoins requiring a rigid 1:1 peg. While not an immediate replacement for existing systems, the proposal challenges the foundational assumption that instantaneous forced liquidation is an unavoidable necessity in DeFi, opening the door for fundamentally different risk management architectures.

marsbit15m ago

Breaking the DeFi Cascading Liquidation Curse: Vitalik Proposes a New Solution

marsbit15m ago

The End of Single-Factor Cryptography

The article "The End of Single-Factor Crypto" posits a fundamental shift in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. It argues the era where crypto asset valuations were predominantly driven by, and correlated with, Bitcoin's price is ending. The space is bifurcating into two distinct economies: endogenous and exogenous. The endogenous economy represents traditional crypto, where token and project values are directly tied to crypto market prices. The emerging exogenous economy comprises projects and businesses that may utilize blockchain technology or tokens but derive their fundamental value from external, non-crypto factors like consumer demand, subscription revenue, or real-world utility. Examples include AI inference platforms like Venice, fintech lenders using blockchain for efficiency, and stablecoin/payment infrastructure companies acquired by giants like Mastercard and Stripe. This shift means investment analysis must change. For exogenous assets, evaluating traditional business fundamentals—such as revenue streams, unit economics, and competitive moats—becomes more critical than tracking Bitcoin charts. While endogenous assets like Bitcoin remain relevant, the growth of the exogenous category is driven by measurable demand independent of crypto price cycles, paving the way for a new, more diversified market phase. Consequently, crypto is evolving from a single-factor, reflexive asset class into a multifaceted ecosystem with varied drivers and investment theses.

marsbit15m ago

The End of Single-Factor Cryptography

marsbit15m ago

Morning Post | Bitmine Plans to Raise $300 Million Through Preferred Stock Issuance; Polymarket Accuses Kalshi of Commercial Espionage

ChainCatcher's Daily Crypto Brief: Key developments from the past 24 hours include significant funding moves, regulatory actions, and market predictions. Bitmine announced a $300 million preferred stock fundraising. Polymarket accused rival prediction platform Kalshi of corporate espionage, citing numerous suspicious coincidences in product launches, a claim Kalshi strongly denied. The U.S. Department of Justice, in a joint "Disruption Week" anti-fraud operation with companies like Coinbase and Meta, froze over $3.8 million in cryptocurrency linked to scams. In infrastructure news, Macau completed its integration with the multi-central bank digital currency bridge, mBridge, aiming to build efficient cross-border payment channels. Cosmos Labs acquired the block explorer Mintscan. Market-wise, Geoffrey Kendrick, Standard Chartered's Head of Digital Assets Research, stated Bitcoin is nearing a bottom around $63,000, maintaining a year-end target of $100,000. He noted stability in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF holdings. Ahead of SpaceX's anticipated IPO, internal insiders at Rocket Lab (RKLB) sold over $18.41 million in stock. In tokenization, Goldman Sachs partnered with Apex and Archax to launch a tokenized real estate fund. The meme token tracker GMGN reported the top trending tokens: on Ethereum, HEX, SHIB, LINK, PEPE, mUSD; on Solana, TROLL, swarms, WORLDCUP, neet, Buttcoin; and on Base, PEPE, toby, ODDS, ELSA, SKI.

链捕手29m ago

Morning Post | Bitmine Plans to Raise $300 Million Through Preferred Stock Issuance; Polymarket Accuses Kalshi of Commercial Espionage

链捕手29m ago

55TB to 28TB? The Rumor and Panic Behind Rubin's Memory Being Halved

Title: 55TB to 28TB? The Rumor and Panic Behind the Potential Halving of Rubin's Memory. On June 4th, a report from SemiAnalysis suggested NVIDIA's next-gen Vera Rubin NVL72 AI rack may ship with roughly 28TB of SOCAMM DRAM per rack instead of the anticipated 55TB, primarily using 96GB modules. This sparked a market panic, causing Micron's stock to drop over 10% on fears of halved memory demand. However, the article argues this panic is misguided for several key reasons. First, SOCAMM modules are socketed and upgradeable, not soldered. Lower initial configuration doesn't mean permanent demand loss. Second, the primary driver is a severe 2026 LPDDR5X supply shortage, not diminished need. NVIDIA is likely prioritizing rack shipments with available components. Third, with fixed total LPDDR5X supply, using less per rack could allow NVIDIA to ship *more* racks, not necessarily reducing overall memory orders. Micron's sharp drop was also attributed to a broader semiconductor sell-off triggered by Broadcom's earnings, with the SemiAnalysis report providing a convenient narrative for profit-taking after Micron's massive rally. In summary: the report on lower default configurations is likely accurate, but interpreting it as a demand collapse is wrong. The real risk for Micron lies in its reportedly minimal HBM4 share for Rubin, not in potentially flexible SOCAMM demand. The sell-off appears more like a correction amplified by coinciding negative catalysts.

marsbit46m ago

55TB to 28TB? The Rumor and Panic Behind Rubin's Memory Being Halved

marsbit46m ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

What is $BITCOIN

DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction to DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a blockchain-based project operating on the Solana network, which aims to combine the characteristics of traditional precious metals with the innovation of decentralized technologies. While it shares a name with Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” due to its perception as a store of value, DIGITAL GOLD is a separate token designed to create a unique ecosystem within the Web3 landscape. Its goal is to position itself as a viable alternative digital asset, although specifics regarding its applications and functionalities are still developing. What is DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a cryptocurrency token explicitly designed for use on the Solana blockchain. In contrast to Bitcoin, which provides a widely recognized value storage role, this token appears to focus on broader applications and characteristics. Notable aspects include: Blockchain Infrastructure: The token is built on the Solana blockchain, known for its capacity to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions. Supply Dynamics: DIGITAL GOLD has a maximum supply capped at 100 quadrillion tokens (100P $BITCOIN), although details regarding its circulating supply are currently undisclosed. Utility: While precise functionalities are not explicitly outlined, there are indications that the token could be utilized for various applications, potentially involving decentralized applications (dApps) or asset tokenization strategies. Who is the Creator of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? At present, the identity of the creators and development team behind DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) remains unknown. This situation is typical among many innovative projects within the blockchain space, particularly those aligning with decentralized finance and meme coin phenomena. While such anonymity may foster a community-driven culture, it intensifies concerns about governance and accountability. Who are the Investors of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? The available information indicates that DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) does not have any known institutional backers or prominent venture capital investments. The project seems to operate on a peer-to-peer model focused on community support and adoption rather than traditional funding routes. Its activity and liquidity are primarily situated on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PumpSwap, rather than established centralized trading platforms, further highlighting its grassroots approach. How DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) Works The operational mechanics of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) can be elaborated on based on its blockchain design and network attributes: Consensus Mechanism: By leveraging Solana’s unique proof-of-history (PoH) combined with a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, the project ensures efficient transaction validation contributing to the network's high performance. Tokenomics: While specific deflationary mechanisms have not been extensively detailed, the vast maximum token supply implies that it may cater to microtransactions or niche use cases that are still to be defined. Interoperability: There exists the potential for integration with Solana’s broader ecosystem, including various decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. However, the details regarding specific integrations remain unspecified. Timeline of Key Events Here is a timeline that highlights significant milestones concerning DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): 2023: The initial deployment of the token occurs on the Solana blockchain, marked by its contract address. 2024: DIGITAL GOLD gains visibility as it becomes available for trading on decentralized exchanges like PumpSwap, allowing users to trade it against SOL. 2025: The project witnesses sporadic trading activity and potential interest in community-led engagements, although no noteworthy partnerships or technical advancements have been documented as of yet. Critical Analysis Strengths Scalability: The underlying Solana infrastructure supports high transaction volumes, which could enhance the utility of $BITCOIN in various transaction scenarios. Accessibility: The potential low trading price per token could attract retail investors, facilitating wider participation due to fractional ownership opportunities. Risks Lack of Transparency: The absence of publicly known backers, developers, or an audit process may yield skepticism regarding the project's sustainability and trustworthiness. Market Volatility: The trading activity is heavily reliant on speculative behavior, which can result in significant price volatility and uncertainty for investors. Conclusion DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) emerges as an intriguing yet ambiguous project within the rapidly evolving Solana ecosystem. While it attempts to leverage the “digital gold” narrative, its departure from Bitcoin's established role as a store of value underscores the need for a clearer differentiation of its intended utility and governance structure. Future acceptance and adoption will likely depend on addressing the current opacity and defining its operational and economic strategies more explicitly. Note: This report encompasses synthesised information available as of October 2023, and developments may have transpired beyond the research period.

363 Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

What is $BITCOIN

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BTC (BTC) are presented below.

活动图片

Top Questions