On December 20, Bitcoin hovered near $88,222 after a 0.25% rise over the past 24 hours. According to CoinMarketCap, weekend momentum leans bullish, while the hourly range spans $87,791 to $88,522. A sustained break above $90,000 is seen as necessary for upside, with low volume hinting at muted volatility into month‑end.

On 20 December 2025, CryptoQuant warned Bitcoin may have shifted into a bear phase driven by fading demand rather than panic selling. Its on-chain metrics highlight weaker U.S. spot ETF inflows, slower growth among 100–1,000 BTC wallets, and softer perpetual funding, with $70,000 eyed near term and $56,000 (realized price) a later target if demand fails to recover.

Recent Bitcoin ETF red days look alarming, but the data shows limited withdrawals relative to assets while derivatives exposure declines. Outflows are around 2.5% of BTC-denominated AUM, roughly $4.5 billion, and CME futures open interest is near $10.94 billion, down from about $16 billion in early November. The pattern suggests structured trades are being unwound rather than a broad investor exit.

As of December 20, 2025, new Bitcoin whales account for nearly 50% of the asset's realized cap, up from 22% before this year. Corporate treasuries span 151 firms holding over 1 million BTC, and U.S. spot ETFs have recorded year‑to‑date inflows above $22 billion, highlighting rising institutional demand and firmer price bases.

Fundstrat’s head of digital asset strategy Sean Farrell has told private clients that Bitcoin could retreat to a $60,000-$65,000 range in the first half of 2026, with Ethereum and Solana also projected to revisit significantly lower levels. The call follows a prolonged failure by Bitcoin to reclaim $100,000, weakening technical indicators, and U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs reportedly turning into net sellers in Q4 2025.

Three newly created Bitcoin wallets moved about 2,509 BTC from a FalconX hot wallet within 24 hours, totaling roughly $221 million. A macro chart linking BTC with the ISM PMI argues the strongest rallies arrive with economic expansion, while Bitcoin dominance is testing resistance that some view as a potential trigger for altcoin rotation.

Fidelity's Jurrien Timmer points to a possible Bitcoin floor around $65,000 in 2026, while BTC trades near $88,100 and key EMAs signal short‑term pressure. Metaplanet's ADRs begin US trading on December 19, 2025 with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as depositary, and MSCI's index exclusion proposal for firms holding over 50% digital assets could be decided by January 15.

Bitcoin is trading sideways as $415 million in options are scheduled to expire over the next seven days, with half of that open interest due on 26 December. If buyers can continue to defend the $85k–$88k support band through the expiry window, analysts expect conditions for a FOMO-driven breakout and a bullish base heading into 2026.