Most traders missed this signal before the holidays. Bitcoin is playing a dangerous waiting game at the $88,000 level while the rest of the world watches gold hit record highs today. Everyone is looking for a Santa Rally but the real action is hidden in the Friday data. A massive $23.7 billion Bitcoin options expiry is hitting the market right now and it is acting like a heavy lid on the price. This is the "insider" secret that most beginners do not see. When these contracts expire, the pressure usually releases and we see a major move. Bitcoin has been trapped between $86,800 and $89,500 for the last 24 hours and the liquidations are mounting up. The market looks boring but the volatility is coiling like a spring.
Whales are not sleeping though. While retail investors are worried about the $825 million ETF outflows this week, institutional activity shows a massive portfolio rebalance. BlackRock just moved over $200 million in assets to Coinbase which has everyone on edge. We are seeing a classic battle between year-end profit taking and the new institutional floor. If Bitcoin can hold the $87,000 support after this record expiry, the path to $95,000 becomes the "max pain" target for the weekend. Missing this entry could mean chasing the pump once the options "lid" is finally lifted. The fear in the market is high because of the thin holiday liquidity, but the excitement is building for the 2026 breakout. This is the moment where the patient money wins.
Do you think Bitcoin will break $95,000 before the New Year starts?
