Bitcoin set for sideways grind as inflows dry up

Bitcoin may trade sideways in the first quarter of 2026 as capital inflows into the asset have slowed, according to CryptoQuant chief executive Ki Young Ju.

Capital inflows into Bitcoin have dried up.

Ki Young Ju said, noting that investors are rotating back into stocks, gold and silver.

Ju said Bitcoin is unlikely to suffer a sharp crash and instead faces “just boring sideways for the next few months.”

Bitcoin was trading near $90,900 at publication, down more than 2% on the day and below this week’s high of $94,400.

A flat first quarter would run counter to historical trends that typically see stronger gains in February and March.

Market sentiment has remained weak, with the Crypto Fear and Greed Index hovering in fear territory since November.

Veteran traders have warned Bitcoin could still fall to between $60,000 and $65,000 during periods of low momentum.

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded $925.3m in net inflows over the first three trading days of 2026.

Some industry figures remain optimistic, with venture capitalists and analysts predicting new highs later in the year.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $90,160.64.