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Bitcoin and crypto markets approach 2026 with stronger fundamentals overall.
Investor sentiment however remains bearish despite regulatory and institutional progress.
Laser Digital’s derivatives desk observed muted trading during holiday periods.
Prices stayed largely flat week on week amid limited data.
Bitcoin traded near eighty nine thousand dollars following modest rallies.
Ethereum also posted gains as early week momentum briefly emerged.
Analysts noted persistent underperformance during United States trading hours sessions.
Selling pressure was linked to year end tax harvesting activity.
Crypto assets significantly lagged equities precious metals and global benchmarks.
Bullish forecasts for two hundred thousand dollar Bitcoin failed expectations.
Major altcoins including Ethereum BNB Solana and Cardano underperformed broadly.
Market confidence deteriorated after a October twenty twenty five crash.
The sell off erased billions in leveraged positions within hours.
Fear indicators stayed elevated and altcoin season showed no recovery.
Analysts warned crypto markets remain structurally over leveraged entering 2026.
Attention is turning to MSCI decisions on digital asset treasuries.
Some strategists expect Bitcoin could retrace toward sixty thousand levels.
Despite weakness regulatory clarity in the United States continues improving.
Large institutions are launching crypto initiatives across custody trading payments.
The United States has established a national Bitcoin reserve policy.
Officials are holding seized Bitcoin rather than purchasing additional coins.
Potential government accumulation could influence other nations digital strategies globally.
Product development is shifting toward crypto backed lending tokenization initiatives.
Speculative NFTs meme coins and weak altcoins are losing favour.
Long term growth may rely on fundamentals adoption and use.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $87,185.33.