Bitcoin is hovering around a crucial price zone as traders remain divided, with bulls defending $85K while bears prepare for another challenge toward the $100K resistance.
The market is entering a decisive phase where liquidity pockets are tightening, and sentiment is shifting rapidly. With whale flows mixed and momentum indicators softening, Bitcoin’s next major move will depend heavily on how the price reacts to key structural levels throughout the week.
Bitcoin Trades Sideways as Momentum Weakens
Bitcoin (BTC) continues to trade quietly in the $88,000–$89,000 range after failing to sustain last week’s attempt toward the $94,000 region. Based on a review of the 4H market structure, price has consistently rejected lower-high zones near $90K, indicating that buyers remain cautious despite holding immediate support.
BTC drifts sideways near $87K–$88K support, with weak momentum suggesting a bounce if held or a slide if broken. Source: @TedPillows via X
As of the latest available data, BTC is priced at $88,913, down 1.03% over the past 24 hours. Daily trading volume remains above $24.6 billion, showing that participation is still active even in consolidation.
Market analyst Ted (@TedPillows), known for tracking short-term BTC momentum shifts, summarized the current structure by noting that BTC is “going sideways” with weakening momentum. His view aligns with the fact that Bitcoin has repeatedly bounced from the $87K–$88K zone, which coincides with the Fib 0.382 retracement of the previous swing move.
Pre-FOMC Volatility Expected as Analysts Eye Key Triggers
With the upcoming FOMC meeting, volatility typically increases. Historically, Bitcoin has shown elevated intraday ranges during the 48 hours surrounding policy announcements.
Bullish BTC scenario: $87K lows could spark a rebound toward $92K–$100K, while breaking $86K signals a deeper test at $80K. Source: @CryptoMichNL via X
Crypto strategist Michaël van de Poppe, recognized for macro-TA correlations, outlined a scenario many traders are watching:
A sweep of the $87K lows—not a breakdown—may serve as the final corrective move before a stronger rebound. He also noted that reclaiming $92K would increase the probability of retesting the $95K–$100K zone, based on prior range behavior.
He emphasized $86K as an important invalidation level. Losing it historically leads to liquidity disruption and mid-range retests around $80K.
Technical Outlook: Support at $85K vs. Resistance Near $100K
On the current 1D chart, a rising wedge has formed—a structure traditionally associated with weakening momentum. Volume remains low, and candle bodies are tightening, both signs of an imminent expansion in volatility.
BTC hovers between $85K support and $100K resistance, waiting for a decisive breakout as momentum stays neutral. Source: peyfx on TradingView
TradingView analyst Peyfx, known for range-based BTC models, described this as BTC being “caught between 85K support and 100K attempts” and emphasized that the recent bounce lacked strong follow-through.
From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin remains inside a broad consolidation zone:
$75K–$85K → major support
$95K–$100K → major resistance
However, a break above $90K followed by acceptance above $95K would improve the probability of a move toward the $100K resistance cluster, consistent with previous range expansions.
Despite current indecision, Bitcoin still leads in global crypto market dominance, reflecting strong long-term confidence.
Looking Ahead: Neutral Momentum With a Break Imminent
Bitcoin’s daily RSI remains in the mid-range (around 45–55), signaling neutral momentum as price compresses near a structural apex. This type of tightening typically precedes a larger directional move, especially when accompanied by declining volume and narrowing candle bodies. At this stage, the market is showing neither strong bullish continuation nor clear bearish breakdown, creating a scenario where liquidity can shift sharply once a key level is breached.
Bitcoin was trading at around 88,913, down 1.03% in the last 24 hours at press time. Source: Bitcoin price via Brave New Coin
In the near term, Bitcoin’s direction depends heavily on how the price reacts to the $87K–$88K support zone. Holding this area could trigger a move toward $92K–$95K, while losing it increases the probability of a deeper sweep toward $75K liquidity. Traders are closely monitoring institutional demand, ETF inflow trends, macro positioning ahead of the FOMC meeting, and short-term structure on the 4H–1D chart clusters. With compression reaching its limit, a decisive breakout appears imminent.
