SKN | Crypto Markets Today: Bitcoin Drifts Lower as Bearish Trend Tightens Grip on Prices

Bitcoin traded lower overnight, extending a downtrend that has been in place for more than two months as broader crypto markets struggled to regain momentum. The largest cryptocurrency slipped about 1.5% from its early Wednesday high to trade near $87,000, while the CoinDesk 20 Index declined 1.6% since midnight UTC, with all constituents posting losses.

The move underscores a market still grappling with weak sentiment and fading risk appetite, even as volatility remains historically subdued. Bitcoin’s inability to reclaim the $94,700 level last week has reinforced a bearish technical structure marked by consistently lower highs dating back to early October.

Bitcoin Stuck Below Key Resistance

Bitcoin’s recent price action reflects a market caught between fragile support and heavy overhead resistance. Since peaking above $100,000 earlier this quarter, BTC has failed to sustain recovery attempts, repeatedly turning lower near the mid-$90,000 range.

From a technical perspective, a decisive move back above $95,000—and ideally $98,000—would be required to invalidate the current downtrend and restore bullish momentum. In the absence of a clear catalyst, however, traders appear reluctant to chase upside, particularly as year-end liquidity thins.

Despite the weakness, some indicators suggest selling pressure may be nearing exhaustion. The average crypto relative strength index (RSI) sits at 38.49, placing much of the market in oversold territory. Historically, such readings have preceded short-term relief rallies, even within broader bearish trends. For now, those signals remain tactical rather than structural.

Derivatives Signal Calm, Not Conviction

Derivatives markets paint a picture of restraint rather than panic. Bitcoin’s 30-day implied volatility, tracked by Volmex’s BVIV, remains below 50% on an annualized basis, signaling relative calm ahead of key macro events, including U.S. inflation data and the Bank of Japan’s upcoming rate decision.

Notably, bitcoin’s 90-day realized volatility has converged with that of major technology stocks such as Tesla and Nvidia, highlighting the asset’s growing maturity as an institutional trading instrument.

Positioning remains mixed. Long positions on Bitfinex have climbed to their highest levels since February, suggesting some investors are quietly accumulating. At the same time, open interest across futures markets has declined for bitcoin and ether, indicating reduced leverage and limited appetite for directional bets.

Options activity reinforces expectations for consolidation rather than a breakout. On Deribit, traders continue to write puts around the $85,000 level while selling calls at $95,000 and $100,000, signaling confidence in a broad trading range. Puts remain more expensive than calls, pointing to persistent downside hedging and call overwriting.

Altcoins Continue to Lag

The broader altcoin market remains under pressure as capital concentrates in bitcoin. Bitcoin dominance has risen to 58.7%, up from 57.8% in late November, reflecting ongoing underperformance across alternative tokens.

Several mid- and large-cap altcoins posted sharp declines, with some extending multi-week bearish trends. The lack of follow-through after October’s liquidation-driven reset continues to weigh on speculative assets, while the so-called “altcoin season” indicator remains deeply suppressed at 19 out of 100.

A handful of defensive or niche assets showed relative resilience, but these moves remain isolated and insufficient to shift broader market dynamics.

What Comes Next

As the year draws to a close, crypto markets appear locked in a holding pattern. Oversold conditions may spark intermittent rebounds, but without fresh liquidity or a macro catalyst, sustained upside remains elusive. For now, bitcoin’s trend remains bearish, altcoins continue to lag, and traders appear content to wait for clearer signals before re-engaging.