Bitcoin trades above $93,000 after a midweek recovery that briefly reached $94,000. Technical indicators show improving momentum, with the Relative Strength Index at 61 and bullish Moving Average Convergence Divergence alignment. Institutional developments, including Vanguard's crypto ETF access and Bank of America's 1–4% allocation guidance, could channel up to $700 billion in new liquidity into digital assets, according to Nic Puckrin of The Coin Bureau.

Bitcoin has recovered above $93,000 after recent declines, with the Coinbase Premium Index returning to positive readings. The shift signals renewed buying activity from U.S. institutional investors following a negative premium period through November. Analysts point to changing investor behavior patterns, particularly among regulated institutional participants.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse projected Bitcoin will reach $180,000 by the end of 2026 during a panel at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai. Bitcoin traded near $93,342 at the time, down approximately 0.6% over 24 hours and about 26% below its recent all-time high above $126,000. Binance CEO Richard Teng declined to specify a price target, while Solana Foundation President Lily Liu offered a more conservative estimate above $100,000.

The Bitcoin Futures Market Power Index has reached 56.9, positioning above the critical 50 threshold and triggering a bull signal, data show. The index sits within the neutral zone of 40-60, with no extreme conditions present. The current level indicates derivatives market support for upward momentum, though the narrow margin above 50 suggests vulnerability to shifts in market pressure.

Strategy, the world's largest corporate Bitcoin holder, is lobbying MSCI to prevent exclusion from major indices ahead of a January 15 decision. MSCI is reviewing whether companies primarily focused on cryptocurrency acquisition should be treated as ineligible investment funds. JPMorgan estimates that exclusion could trigger between $2.8 billion and $8.8 billion in forced outflows from passive funds tracking MSCI indices.

Charles Schwab plans to introduce spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading during the first half of 2026. CEO Rick Wurster announced the phased rollout at the Reuters Next conference, stating employees will test the platform first, followed by select clients before broader availability. The initiative responds to substantial client demand for digital asset access.

Senator Cynthia Lummis posted on X suggesting the U.S. government may soon acquire Bitcoin. Texas became the first state to establish a Bitcoin reserve, purchasing nearly $5 million in BTC through a BlackRock-managed ETF, according to state officials.

Strategy has sharply reduced its Bitcoin acquisition pace in 2025, with monthly purchases dropping from 134,000 BTC in late 2024 to 9,100 BTC in November 2025. CryptoQuant analysts view the slowdown as a defensive repositioning ahead of an anticipated extended bear market. The company has shifted focus toward building a 24-month liquidity buffer to strengthen its financial position.