Rich by Coin

Bitcoin is ending the year in a subdued consolidation near $87,000 as investors wait for the next catalyst. At the time of writing, bitcoin was trading just below $88,000, roughly flat over the past week and modestly lower than where it began the year. The price has spent much of December oscillating between the low $80,000s and the high $80,000s, with repeated attempts to reclaim $90,000 failing to attract sustained follow-through. The muted year-end action stands in contrast to the optimism that defined the start of 2025.

That move culminated in October, when bitcoin briefly surged to a new all-time high above $125,000. The rally, however, proved unsustainable. By early December, the price had fallen more than 30% from its peak, re-entering a range that had defined much of the year’s trading. As bitcoin heads into 2026, the focus is shifting to whether the prolonged consolidation can resolve to the upside.

Traders are watching the $90,000 level as a key psychological and technical threshold, while support in the low $80,000s has so far held. For now, bitcoin enters the new year subdued, trading around $87,000 and searching for direction. Bitcoin finished the year in subdued consolidation, trading around $87,000 as investors awaited the next catalyst. At the time of writing, prices hovered near $88,000, roughly flat over the past week and modestly lower than where it began the year.

December has seen bitcoin move in a narrow range, oscillating between the low and high $80,000s with repeated attempts to reclaim $90,000 failing to attract sustained follow-through. The year’s rally to a new all-time high above $125,000 in October proved unsustainable, and by early December price had fallen more than 30% from the peak. It re-entered ranges that defined much of 2025 trading. As bitcoin heads into 2026, the focus is on whether the prolonged consolidation can resolve to the upside, with traders watching the $90,000 level as a key psychological and technical threshold and support in the low $80,000s holding for now.

Looking ahead, analysts say the next move could hinge on macro signals and liquidity, with a break above $90,000 signaling potential upside. For now, the market remains directionless as new catalysts and sentiment take shape into the new year.