What’s Preventing Bitcoin (BTC) From Crossing $100K? Analysts Weigh In
Current factors obstructing Bitcoin's price movement below $100K include dealer hedging, resistance levels, and the looming expiry of major options.
What’s Preventing Bitcoin (BTC) From Crossing $100K? Analysts Weigh In
Bitcoin has started the year strongly, yet it remains stuck under the $100,000 mark. The price action is stagnant, confined to a narrow range amid several critical levels influencing its trajectory. Investors are eager for signs that a breakout might be on the horizon.
Dealer Hedging Influencing Price Stability
Analyst Crypto Rover explains that Bitcoin is currently being “mechanically suppressed” due to dealer hedging strategies. In this scenario, dealers are hedging risks by selling during price surges and buying during dips. This tactic has effectively kept Bitcoin’s price fluctuating between $90,000 and $95,000, with $100,000 acting as significant resistance.
“Bitcoin’s $100,000 Wall & Why It’s Stuck at $93,000. Bitcoin isn’t weak; it’s mechanically suppressed. Dealer hedging: selling rallies and buying dips to maintain neutrality. This has pinned the price in a confined $90K–$95K range, defining $90K as support and $100K as resistance.” — Crypto Rover
Rover also highlighted that a significant number of options are set to expire later this month, which could trigger a shift in price movement. Until these options expire, the current hedging activities may continue to restrict price fluctuations.
Technical Indicators Showing Consolidation
In addition, technical indicators point to a continued range-bound scenario for BTC. Chart analyst Ali Martinez noted that Bitcoin must secure a daily closing price above $94,000 or below $88,000 to determine its next trend direction. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $90,300, situated just below the midpoint of that range.
The daily chart indicates a rising support line that has been forming since late 2025, as buyers strive to protect higher lows. However, the $94,000 threshold has proven to be a barrier against price increases. Until the price either breaches this range, it remains in a state of consolidation.
CME Gaps Could Influence Future Movements
Another analyst, Ted, shared insights regarding the opening of the first CME futures gap at approximately $90,700, which has now been filled. The next target possibility is the lower gap between $88,000 and $88,500, aligning with a major support zone.
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Bitcoin recently attempted to reclaim the $92,000–$94,000 territory, but encountered significant selling pressure. If the cryptocurrency declines once more, it could gravitate toward the $88K range, with traders predicting that this gap might be filled before another upward movement.
Moreover, demand in the spot market has driven Bitcoin’s recent uptick, while futures traders display a more cautious approach. This divergence illustrates that not all market participants are aligned in their positioning.
As reported by CryptoPotato, Bitcoin remains in a prolonged downtrend initiated in September 2025, and the market has yet to confirm a bottoming period. Analysts suggest the potential for a short-lived rally toward the $97,000–$107,000 range but caution that prices are likely to dip below $70,000 later in the current cycle.
