Bitcoin started an important week trading just under its 50-week MA and EMA cluster, while U.S. spot ETF inflows have reached about 3.8K BTC so far this year. The inflow pace is slightly ahead of roughly 3.5K BTC over the same 2025 period and appears consistent with prior seasonal patterns, as price consolidates near the mid $90,000s.

On 17 January 2026, Cathie Wood reiterated in ARK Invest’s 2026 outlook that Bitcoin’s fixed issuance schedule gives it a structural scarcity edge over gold. She noted that gold supply historically expands as prices rise, while Bitcoin’s programmed halvings drive annual supply growth below 1% and toward about 0.4% later this decade, supporting her long-term price projection of roughly $1.2 million by 2030. Wood also highlighted Bitcoin’s low correlation with traditional assets and its asymmetric upside versus gold, arguing it has a distinct role in diversified portfolios.

Bitcoin (BTC) broke above a multi‑week pattern and retested about $95,000, putting a measured objective near $107,000 in play by February. Long‑dormant holder distribution has slowed and coins are moving off exchanges, tightening supply, while a potential 20‑/50‑day EMA bull cross and a negative correlation to gold add to the bullish case.

On 17 January 2026 at 14:20, a single self-custody wallet was drained of more than $282 million after the owner disclosed a hardware recovery phrase. According to blockchain investigator ZachXBT, no technical exploit was involved. Cybersecurity firm ZeroShadow said about $700,000 was flagged and frozen as the thief moved funds across chains and into Monero.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs booked $1.42 billion in net inflows over the past week, the strongest since early October, with roughly $754 million Tuesday and about $844 million Wednesday, then a $395 million outflow Friday. Ether ETFs were similarly front-loaded, adding approximately $479 million for the week after about $290 million Tuesday, $215 million Wednesday, and roughly $180 million in net outflows Friday.

This week, Bitcoin climbed back above $97,000 for the first time since November 2025, after clearing the $94,000 technical barrier. On January 16, analyst Darkfost highlighted that the short-term holder realized price, now around $102,000, is a key on-chain level that could drive whether recent buyers hold or sell as they approach break-even. Glassnode's Chris Beamish added that reclaiming this cost basis is important for renewed bullish momentum, with Bitcoin currently trading near $95,300.

Bitcoin traded around $95,242.71 (-0.05%) as Belgium's KBC Bank set February 16 for Bitcoin and Ether trading on Bolero under MiCA, which went live in January 2026. Iran's crypto activity reached $7.78 billion in 2025, while a Jefferies strategist cited quantum computing risks; charts show resistance at $97,700 and support near $95,150.

On 17 January 2026, Michael Saylor used an appearance on the What Bitcoin Did podcast to argue that holding Bitcoin is a capital allocation decision comparable to choosing cash, bonds, or buybacks. He contended that even unprofitable companies can strengthen overall balance sheets if Bitcoin appreciation offsets operating losses and criticized what he sees as double standards applied to firms that adopt Bitcoin treasuries.