Is Bitcoin Stalled Again? Can It Return to $100,000 by Year-End?

Bitcoin (BTC) has indeed lost upward momentum, trading in a tight range around $91,000 after a multi-week pullback that erased most of its 2025 gains. The cryptocurrency’s price action shows clear signs of consolidation, with neither bulls nor bears able to seize control. On-chain data presents a mixed picture: options open interest has hit all-time highs, signaling speculative positioning; Australian spot Bitcoin ETF holdings continue to grow steadily; and BTC balances on exchanges are declining, suggesting some investors are shifting to long-term holding or ETF allocations. However, miner revenues have fallen to historic lows, several on-chain indicators flash bearish signals, and the market remains acutely sensitive to macro liquidity conditions.

Market Sentiment: Institutions Bullish Long-Term, Community Takes a Breath

Institutional perspectives remain divided but generally constructive. Traditional finance firms express optimism about ETF-driven growth and Bitcoin’s role as a macro hedge, though even giants like BlackRock have executed notable sales. Community sentiment has cooled from earlier FOMO to a more measured wait-and-see approach, with some traders scaling out of positions or rotating into short-term plays. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has dipped into the “fear” zone, and social media conversations increasingly center on the $100,000 year-end target, weighing technical support against external pressures.

Trading Guide: Swing Trading in a Range-Bound Market

Bitcoin’s medium- to long-term structure appears intact, with whale accumulation providing backing for the $80,000 level. Short-term momentum is building for a rebound, making swing trading the preferred approach. Hold positions if the pullback respects $90,000 support; otherwise, monitor levels below for potential entry opportunities.

On-chain analyst Murphy noted: “Whales are adding to positions on the left side, indicating confidence in $80,000 BTC. The trend reversal may continue, and the medium- to long-term outlook is bullish.” Trader RunnerXBT shared: “I have partially reduced my leveraged long BTC position. $91.8k is a key trading level. The remaining position is targeting around $104k.”

Key Levels to Watch

• Support: $90,000 (immediate) and $80,000 (structural)
• Resistance: $95,000–$100,000 (year-end psychological zone)
• Catalysts: Macro liquidity improvements and sustained ETF inflows could accelerate a move higher.

Bitcoin’s current stall reflects a market digesting recent volatility rather than signaling a structural breakdown. With institutional conviction intact and on-chain accumulation supportive, a return to $100,000 by year-end remains plausible if key supports hold and sentiment shifts from fear to neutral. Swing traders should focus on range-bound opportunities while monitoring macro developments closely.