Bitcoin price prediction: BTC defends $88K as institutions load
Crypto writer
Arslan Butt
Crypto writer
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Despite continued volatility, Bitcoin is trading near $88,600 as markets absorb new institutional and regulatory developments that could strengthen long-term delinquency.
With a market capitalization of $1.77 trillion and nearly 19.98 million BTC already in circulation, the latest price action points to stability rather than anxiety following a pullback from around $95,000 last week.
Metaplanet will write $680M BTC though
Japan-based Bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet has raised its revenue and operating outlook for 2025 and 2026, raising profits for 2025 and 2026 even with a $680–700 million non-cash Bitcoin impairment related to year-end prices. Management stressed that the write-up will have no impact on cash flow, operations or treasury strategy.
The company now expects $58 million in revenue and $40 million in operating profit for 2025, driven primarily by the Bitcoin revenue-generating segment. By year-end, Metaplanet's BTC holdings had increased from 1,762 BTC to 35,102 BTC by 2024, a 568% year-over-year increase in BTC production on a compounded basis.
For 2026, the company will generate $103 million in revenue and $73 million in operating profit, reinforcing the view that Bitcoin-related business models are maturing beyond expectations.
SEC, CFTC Reschedule Joint Crypto Harmonization Event, Boosts US Leadership Narrative
In parallel, the SEC and CFTC confirmed a rescheduled joint crypto harmonization event for January 29, focused on streamlining supervisory frameworks and reducing regulatory fragmentation. The session, hosted in Washington, will feature leadership from both agencies and highlight a broader push to make the United States a global hub for digital assets.
Clear coordination among regulators is seen as a boon for Bitcoin, especially amid the lack of regulatory oversight in attracting institutional capital.
A long-term BTC bullish strategy buys 2,932 bitcoins during the market
During the market sell-off this week, Michael Saylor's firm, Strategy, maintained its Bitcoin purchases, earning 2,932 BTC, or roughly $264 million. While Bitcoin briefly fell below $87,000, the buying was completed at an average price of $90,061 in Bitcoin, indicating a strategy to buy on weakness.
The strategy's total bitcoin holdings increased to 712,647 BTC with the recent purchase, bringing it to $54.19 billion at an average price of $76,037 per coin. Interestingly, the strategy bought 40,100 BTC in January, surpassing the total purchases of the previous five months, marking a significant increase in buying activity.
The sale of minority preferred stock and the sale of common A shares (MSTR) provided the majority of financing for the transaction. The company's consistent holdings of bitcoin support strong institutional confidence in BTC even as strategic stocks fall along with the broader markets.
Despite short-term volatility, significant long-term Bitcoin holders such as Strategist are expected to remain positive in the long term and support prices between valuations.
Bitcoin Price Prediction: $88K base holds as a descending channel nears resolution
On the technical front, the Bitcoin price forecast has started to turn bullish as BTC is trading around $88,600 stabilizing after a sharp rebound from around $95,500–$96,000. On the 4-hour chart, price remains in a descending channel, but the retracement from $86,200 is marked by long lower wicks, indicating an entry rather than a forced sell. This indicates absorption near support, not collapse.
The price is still below the 50-EMA and 100-EMA near $90,500–$91,000, which remains the first hurdle of a recovery. As long as BTC remains below this zone, the short-term bias will be corrective. That said, the structure is starting to look like a falling wedge, a pattern that usually unravels as selling pressure fades.
Momentum supports that change. The RSI has rebounded from around 30, with the price slightly lower, indicating an early bullish divergence. Recent candles show small bodies and weak bottom tracking, consistent with consolidation rather than continuation of the trend.
If Bitcoin holds above $88,000, upside will open to $90,900 and $93,300, with a break targeting $95,500. A loss of $86,200 would delay recovery and expose $84,400, without breaking the broader structure.
Bitcoin (BTC/USD) Trade Idea: Buy pullbacks from $87,500–$88,000, stop below $85,800, targets $93,000–$95,000.
Bitcoin Hyper: BTC's next move on Solana?
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The project audited by Consult emphasizes trust and scalability while building adoption. And the pace is already strong. The pre-sale has exceeded $31 million, the tokens are worth only $0.013635 before the next increase.
As Bitcoin activity increases and the demand for efficient BTC-based applications increases, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as a bridge connecting the two largest crypto ecosystems. If Bitcoin builds its foundation, Bitcoin Hyper can make it fast, flexible and fun again.
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