Canadian billionaire and mining executive Frank Giustra has renewed his criticism of Bitcoin, arguing it has not justified being described as "digital gold" and remains a speculative asset driven by dogma. He contends Bitcoin has gone through multiple failed narratives, accuses high-profile Bitcoin maximalists such as Michael Saylor of promoting risky advice to unsophisticated investors, and contrasts this with central banks and major powers accumulating physical gold as part of a broader financial reset. Giustra concludes that real power still lies with those who hold gold, while Bitcoin functions mainly as a distraction.

On 11 January 2026, new analysis from Alphractal indicated that Bitcoin’s one-year percentage change is hovering just below zero, a zone that has historically aligned with bear markets or major trend shifts. Analysts estimate that a 4–5% price increase could flip this metric positive without a deeper drawdown, echoing a rare pattern last seen around July 2020. The coming trading sessions may therefore clarify whether Bitcoin is exiting a long consolidation phase or remaining in a broader corrective structure.

A so-called Satoshi-era Bitcoin miner has transferred 2,000 BTC, in what analyst Julio Moreno describes as the first notable on-chain move from this early cohort since November 2024, when Bitcoin traded near $91,000. Historical netflow charts suggest these long-term holders often move or sell coins during major price rallies, reinforcing their perceived influence over market sentiment.

Bitcoin’s first mining difficulty adjustment of 2026 reduced the metric to 146.4 trillion, offering miners a brief improvement in conditions after a challenging 2025. Average block times of about 9.88 minutes now point to a likely increase toward roughly 148.2 trillion at the next recalibration expected on January 22, while profitability remains under pressure amid elevated competition, weaker prices and rising costs.

Bitcoin's mining difficulty eased in the first 2026 adjustment, slipping to 146.4 trillion on Thursday. The next recalibration is projected for Jan. 22, 2026 at about 04:08 UTC, with estimates pointing to 148.20T as average block times run at 9.88 minutes. Despite the brief relief, miners' profitability remains thin after 2025's margin squeeze.

Jan3 founder Samson Mow has outlined five ambitious Bitcoin forecasts for 2026, including a claim that Tesla CEO Elon Musk will aggressively increase his Bitcoin exposure. Mow also expects BTC to climb to about $1.33 million that year, far above more moderate outlooks from other crypto executives.

On January 11, 2024, the U.S. SEC approved the first spot Bitcoin ETFs, a landmark step that expands regulated access to Bitcoin for institutional investors. The decision comes 15 years after Hal Finney's "Running bitcoin" tweet and coincides with Bitcoin trading at $90,673.58 on January 11, 2026. These ETFs and the recent market data together highlight Bitcoin's shift from a niche experiment to a major financial asset class.

Bitcoin has recently traded in a tight band between $90,000 and $93,000, with price action showing little decisive movement. Data indicates spot market inflows have dropped to a six-week low, while institutional investors have shifted from net buying to selling hundreds of millions of dollars in BTC. Despite weak broader sentiment, long-term holders remain largely inactive, helping to limit deeper downside for the cryptocurrency.