2026-01-17 16:24:10

At the beginning of 2026, Bitcoin is experiencing a classic market psychological game as it attempts to break through the $100,000 mark. After reaching $98,100 on January 16, the price faced a clear correction and resistance, and now it is oscillating around $95,200. This pause may seem calm on the surface, but there are underlying currents — bulls and bears are accumulating strength within a narrow range, and a breakout could occur within the next two days.

To gauge the future direction, it’s helpful to observe the two opposing forces in the market: on one side, retail investors are taking profits at high levels. On-chain data shows that when the price hits a two-month high, some short-term holders (investors with positions held for less than six months) begin moving Bitcoin to exchanges in preparation to sell and lock in gains. This represents obvious short-selling pressure.

On the other side, institutional players are quietly positioning themselves. Large funds, represented by the US spot Bitcoin ETF, have not stopped buying. In just the first three days of this week, net inflows into such ETFs exceeded $1.7 billion. Continuous institutional buying acts like a protective floor for Bitcoin’s price, which also explains why the market’s enthusiasm wanes but the price does not collapse.

What lies ahead is a critical tug-of-war zone. Short-term profit-takers are eager to exit, while long-term investors are bottom-fishing. The ebb and flow of these forces will directly determine Bitcoin’s next trajectory.

BTC-0.15%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

17 Likes

Reward
17
5
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

BTCBeliefStation

· 5h ago

Retail investors are fleeing at high levels again, while institutions are quietly accumulating. I've seen this script so many times haha --- 98k drops and everyone gets scared? Institutions are the real players, we just lie back and wait for a breakout --- Again in a tug-of-war range, basically just seeing who breaks first mentally --- The 100,000 mark, it takes half a day of messing around before crossing --- Wait, ETF net inflow of 1.7 billion in a week? The market support is indeed incredible --- Short-term players are getting anxious, long-term investors buy more as prices fall, the story is still ongoing --- Repetitive oscillation around 95k, a typical shakeout rhythm, don’t be scared out --- This wave of institutional layout, retail investors simply can't withstand this pressure --- Honestly, the two hours before 10W USD already determined the subsequent trend

View OriginalReply0

GasWaster

· 5h ago

Retail investors run away, institutions scoop up the bottom. This routine is played out year after year. Who's going to win, do I even need to say? Institutions are secretly accumulating again. We're still debating whether it's 98 or 95; the gap is too big. Breakthrough? Just break through. Anyway, hitting 100,000 is only a matter of time. I just don't know if I’ll still be around by then. Damn, did ETF net inflows reach 1.7 billion this week? Retail investors really need to wake up. In less than two days, it will break 100,000. I bet my only 0.01 BTC in my account.

View OriginalReply0

PanicSeller

· 5h ago

Retail investors cut losses while institutions scoop up the bargains, we've seen this script too many times. --- 98k retraced to 95k, is there selling pressure? Wake up, everyone. --- It's that $17 billion story again. Every time it's told like this, I get tired of hearing it. --- Range-bound tug-of-war? Whether it breaks 100,000 or not, it's over. Stop with these fancy tricks. --- Institutional buy orders protecting the bottom line haha, throwing down 100,000 bucks and expecting to skyrocket? --- Short-term holders are fleeing; these people should have exited long ago. --- Breakthrough within two days? I bet five bucks it'll still be volatile for a week.

View OriginalReply0

SquidTeacher

· 5h ago

Here we go again, retail investors getting chopped while institutions scoop up the bottom? Classic move, it's always the same script. If it can't push higher, we have to see what the Federal Reserve has to say. 100,000 is indeed the top, but whether it can break through this time is still uncertain. Are the 1.7 billion from institutions real? We need to verify the on-chain data before trusting it. The 95,200 level is really a tug-of-war; I'm tired of this kind of oscillation routine. Breaking the level within two days? I bet five times wouldn't be enough to get through this kind of turbulence.

View OriginalReply0

MevWhisperer

· 5h ago

Retail investors cut losses, institutions take the meat. How come this routine never gets old? Institutions have a net inflow of $1.7 billion per week? I think they are just paving the way for themselves. Ten thousand dollars for this? I thought it could soar to the sky, but instead it's stuck bouncing between 95K and 96K, so boring. Short-term holders have run away, long-term ones are bottom-fishing. Will it break within two days? I bet ten bucks it will just trade sideways. Is this pullback a shakeout or a real decline? The key is still when institutions will stop疯狂吸筹.

View OriginalReply0