26th December 2025 – (New York) Bitcoin is trading close to $89,160, up around 1.5% over the past 24 hours. Trading activity remains robust, with approximately $24.3 billion changing hands, and the world’s largest cryptocurrency continues to dominate the market with a capitalisation of about $1.78 trillion. Around 19.97 million BTC are currently in circulation, edging nearer to the fixed maximum supply of 21 million.
Yet, in spite of the latest uptick, broader sentiment remains distinctly cautious. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index sits at 27, firmly in the “fear” zone, while the Altcoin Season Index has fallen to 16, underscoring that it is very much “Bitcoin season”. Investors appear to be concentrating their exposure in a small number of major assets and keeping risk tightly controlled.
The total cryptocurrency market capitalisation stands at roughly $2.99 trillion, with daily turnover near $73 billion. Ethereum (ETH) is hovering around $2,970 and Solana (SOL) just above $123, signalling relatively subdued enthusiasm for alternative tokens. Bitcoin’s elevated dominance underlines how many participants are steering clear of higher‑risk coins.
Historically, such fearful conditions have often been seen as opportunities for accumulation, and institutional players continue to reinforce that narrative. Large funds and exchange‑traded products remain heavily weighted towards BTC, reinforcing its role as the preferred store of value in the digital asset space. As a result, Bitcoin is holding its ground, while many altcoins struggle to generate sustained upside.
From a technical perspective, on the four‑hour chart Bitcoin has stabilised around $89,200 after rebounding from a mid‑December low near $83,800. Price action is still unfolding within a descending channel traced from the recent $94,600 high, but underlying momentum appears to be improving.
Crucially, BTC has reclaimed the $88,000-$88,600 pivot band, an area now aligned with the 50‑EMA at about $88,000 and the 100‑EMA near $88,600. This zone has flipped into a short‑term support region, a constructive sign for the bulls. Recent candles show firm upward closes followed by periods of consolidation, indicating steady buying interest rather than a fleeting short squeeze.
The structure is starting to resemble a descending triangle with a series of higher intraday lows, while the Relative Strength Index has recovered to around 60. There are no clear signs of bearish divergence at this stage, suggesting that upward momentum is returning in a measured fashion and that the current recovery is, for now, technically supported rather than overheated.
