The market continues to be indecisive, lacking a clear direction.
Most macro volatility seems to be in the past now, with the BOJ rate hike already factored in, Trump’s tariff worries no longer at the forefront, and November inflation figures lower than anticipated.
As a result, it is possible that whales will step in to buy the Bitcoin [BTC] dip. The 3.08% increase on December 19th indicates early signs of bullish activity, suggesting that support levels are attracting buyers.
Source: TradingView (BTC/USDT)
The question remains: Are the bulls defending or preparing to take action?
Looking at ETF bids, it is evident that Bitcoin bulls are not yet actively participating. However, this could be interpreted as a positive sign. From a broader perspective, Bitcoin is entering one of its most volatile periods.
In this scenario, maintaining support levels is crucial to sustain FOMO. According to AMBCrypto, if the bulls stick to this strategy, it could trigger Bitcoin‘s much-needed breakout from its current range, establishing a bullish foundation for 2026.
The next 7 days could determine Bitcoin’s next significant move
Historically, major options expiries have coincided with Bitcoin’s sideways movement.
This time is no exception. Market makers view Bitcoin’s ongoing consolidation below $90k not as a coincidence, but as part of the quarterly “triple witching” expiry, with significant options set to expire across the market.
Over the next seven days, $415 million worth of options will expire for Bitcoin. Moreover, the exposure is highly concentrated, with 50% of the total expiring on December 26th, making it a crucial date to monitor.
Source: X
In this scenario, defensive play by the bulls is actually optimistic.
With $415 million in options set to expire, volatility is likely to influence sentiment in the upcoming week. If the bulls continue to uphold the $85k-$88k support range, it could pave the way for a FOMO-driven surge as external factors diminish.
Those weak ETF bids could suddenly become strong. As long as the bulls adhere to this strategy until December 26th and keep Bitcoin stable, it appears to be the initial indication of a confirmed breakout setup for 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin remains range-bound as $415 million in options expire, with December 26th being a pivotal point for volatility.
- If the bulls maintain the $85k-$88k support zone through the expiry, the conditions favor a post-expiry breakout and a bullish trend into 2026.