Bitcoin price BTC USD today December 26: Bitcoin price was trading lower on Friday afternoon as it continued to hover below a closely watched psychological level. BTC USD was trading around $87,296.13 at the time of writing and during the session, prices moved within a broad range, swinging between roughly $86,670 and $89,416.
Bitcoin price today: Why BTC USD is under pressure despite steady US stock markets
The restrained price action came even as traditional markets showed a steadier tone. In thin post-Christmas trading, US equities hovered near record highs, with the S&P 500 essentially flat and the Nasdaq slightly higher late in the morning as investors appeared to be pricing in a resilient economy and shifting expectations for policy in 2026, as per a report.
For Bitcoin traders, the short-term narrative remains largely unchanged. The cryptocurrency has struggled for weeks to reclaim and hold the $90,000 level, which continues to act as a ceiling, as per a Ts2.tech report.
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How thin post-Christmas trading is impacting BTC price action
Year-end liquidity has been limited, making it difficult for rallies to build momentum even when prices bounce. Market observers have pointed to thin holiday trading conditions, noting that Bitcoin has pushed toward the upper $80,000s but failed to break and sustain a move above $90,000.
BTC USD price alert: Key Bitcoin price levels traders are watching right now
Crypto traders are watching resistance near $90,000, while near-term support sits in the mid-to-high $80,000s, close to the session low around $86,670, as per the Ts2.tech report. Volatility risks remain elevated, as year-end positioning and derivatives activity can amplify moves when spot trading volume is light.
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US spot Bitcoin ETF outflows weigh on market sentiment
Sentiment has also been weighed down by renewed attention on outflows from US spot crypto exchange-traded funds heading into the Christmas break. Data cited by CoinMarketCap showed that Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw combined withdrawals of about $232 million on December 24, including roughly $175 million from Bitcoin ETFs. BlackRock’s IBIT accounted for about $91.37 million of those outflows, while Grayscale’s GBTC saw around $24.62 million exit.
Why ETF flows matter more for Bitcoin price in 2025
These flows matter because ETFs have increasingly become a key entry point for traditional investors in 2025. Coverage has shown that ETF demand can flip quickly, shifting from support to pressure during periods of market pullback.
Massive $23 billion Bitcoin options expiry raises BTC USD volatility risks
Derivatives are another source of uncertainty. Reports indicated that about $23 billion in Bitcoin options are set to expire on Friday, representing more than half of total open interest on Deribit, the largest Bitcoin options exchange. Such a large, concentrated expiry can heighten volatility as hedges unwind and positions roll off.
How holiday market conditions are amplifying Bitcoin price swings
Both crypto and equity markets are facing the same late-December challenge of thinner market depth. With many institutional desks lightly staffed and portfolios largely set for year-end, individual transactions can have an outsized impact on prices, as per the Ts2.tech report. That dynamic helps explain why Bitcoin’s swings may look sharper than usual, even as overall trading activity remains subdued.
FAQs
Why is Bitcoin price USD down today?
Bitcoin is facing pressure as it struggles to break above $90,000 amid thin year-end trading conditions.
Why is $90,000 important for Bitcoin price?
The $90,000 level is a key psychological resistance that Bitcoin has failed to reclaim for weeks.