IG analyst Chris Beauchamp has analyzed the current state of Bitcoin and the crypto market, providing the catalysts for the next price trajectory.
In a note today, Beauchamp highlighted that the current market is struggling to recover following a disastrous end to the previous year. He explained why this bearish trend has impacted Bitcoin and the broader altcoin market, and further identified upcoming events that could shape their subsequent path.
Market data confirms this narrative. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market cap, has held steadily above $91,000, up over 3.5% from its yearly opening of $88,620.
However, this is a considerable correction from its high of $94,766 earlier in the year. The pioneering cryptocurrency reached a high in the first week of the year, with the momentum spreading optimism that it would retest much higher prices.
That did not materialize, and BTC has been consolidating below the yearly high since then. Notably, this trend also impacted altcoins, including XRP and Cardano, which rose to respective highs earlier but have since declined considerably.
Outflows from crypto investment funds have contributed to the market lull. Notably, CoinShares data shows that digital asset vehicles recorded a net outflow of $454 million in the previous week, suggesting a conservative stance by market participants.
Crypto-based ETPs attracted strong interest in the first two trading days of the year, bringing in over $1 billion in total. The inflows coincided with the period that the market trended higher, covering some ground after its brutal Q4 2025 performance.
However, the traction subsided slightly, with the ETPs retaining $580 million at the end of the week of January 3. However, the Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs led the exodus last week, with investors pulling out $405 million and $116 million, respectively.
According to Beauchamp, a new wave of inflows would aid the crypto market’s recovery. While prices remain positive in the short term, a new capital injection could spark a rebound, potentially pushing Bitcoin to a crucial support area.
The analyst highlighted the $95,000 level as key for BTC, as it would set it on its path to higher prices when momentum returns. He noted that a reclaim and hold above this demand zone confirms that Bitcoin has broken to the upside.
Bitcoin attempted to recover this area on January 7 but couldn’t. Meanwhile, at the current market price of $91,800, BTC would need to rise by 3.4% to reach the support level.
Notably, Beauchamp also mentioned a few macro factors that could determine Bitcoin’s price trajectory in the short term. He expected the forthcoming US inflation data to move the crypto market. Notably, the data remained at 2.7%, further dampening the chances of a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut.
Subsequently, the US bank Q4 earnings reports will start coming in later in the week, and he believes they will affect the market tone. Additionally, he mentioned the earlier-scheduled crypto market bill hearing on Thursday as another price catalyst; however, the markup has been moved to later in January.
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