Bitcoin Spot ETF Slumps in January- Key Bullish Fractal To Watch Out in February for $BTCBitcoin
($BTC) Bitcoin the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, failed to hold its early January recovery momentum as sellers took control toward the month’s close. After printing a monthly high near $97,000, BTC reversed sharply and ended January 31, 2026, with a deep wick toward $75,722, marking a 6.20% decline in the last 24 hours and roughly a 10% drop year-to-date, while also setting a fresh yearly low.The sudden downside move rattled market sentiment and triggered heavy forced selling across the crypto market. In the last 24 hours alone, total crypto liquidations surged to nearly $2.58 billion, highlighting how overcrowded bullish positioning had become.Source: CoinmarketcapBitcoin Spot ETF slumps in JanuaryAccording to the latest data from SoSoValue, U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded a net outflow of approximately $1.61 billion in January 2026, marking one of the weakest monthly performances since approval.Despite the outflows, cumulative net inflows still stand strong near $55.01 billion, with total net assets around $106.96 billion. However, the January data clearly shows that institutional demand cooled significantly during the month, adding pressure to BTC’s price action and accelerating the correction.Source: SosovalueHistorically, sharp ETF outflow months often coincide with local fear phases, rather than long-term trend reversals — especially when broader market structure remains intact.Key bullish fractal to watch outLooking at the latest fractal comparison chart shared by crypto analyst Benjamin, Bitcoin’s current structure appears to mirror previous consolidation phases seen in major risk assets like Google (GOOG) and NVIDIA (NVDA) before their continuation rallies.On the weekly timeframe, BTC is still respecting its broader uptrend while pulling back toward a critical horizontal demand zone near $74,494. In past cycles, similar corrective moves — following strong impulsive rallies — have acted as reset phases, allowing the market to absorb supply before pushing higher.Bitcoin (BTC) Fractal Chart/Credits: @intocryptoverse (X)This fractal suggests that the ongoing pullback could be a healthy consolidation, rather than the start of a prolonged bearish trend, as long as BTC continues to defend this key support region. What February could hold for BitcoinIf Bitcoin manages to hold above the $74,494 support, buyers may gradually step back in as selling pressure exhausts. A stabilization above this level could open the door for a renewed upside attempt toward the $85,000–$90,000 region in February.However, a decisive breakdown below $74,494 would weaken the bullish fractal narrative and could expose $BTC to deeper downside, potentially extending the correction.For now, Bitcoin enters February at a crucial inflection point — shaken by ETF outflows and mass liquidations, yet still holding a structure that bulls will be watching very closely.
Bitcoin has experienced a major capitulation move, crashing aggressively from the 84k region down to the 75,500 support, where heavy volume and long downside wicks appeared. This type of move signals panic selling and seller exhaustion, not a healthy continuation dump. Since touching that low, $BTC has stabilized and is now trading back above 78k, showing that buyers are stepping in and defending the lower zone. At the moment, Bitcoin is not in a confirmed bullish trend, but it is also no longer in free fall. The market is transitioning into a post-crash recovery and consolidation phase. Price is currently holding inside the 77,500–79,500 range, which is acting as a balance area. As long as BTC stays above 77,000, the probability favors continued sideways-to-up recovery rather than another immediate collapse.On the upside, if BTC can hold this base and push higher, the next resistance zones sit at 80,500–81,200, followed by a major supply zone at 83,000–84,000. These levels are expected to attract strong selling pressure again, so upside moves should be traded cautiously with partial profit-taking. This is still a recovery move, not a trend reversal.On the downside, losing 77,000 would weaken the structure and expose 75,500 again. A clean break below that level would invalidate the recovery and open deeper downside toward the low-70k region.What to do now:Longs should only be considered above support with tight risk and modest targets. Shorts should not be added near current support and are better planned near resistance. If you are flat, patience is key — the best trades will come after confirmation, not inside this decision zone. Right now, Bitcoin is in a high-volatility transition phase, where risk management matters more than direction.#BitcoinETFWatch #MarketCorrection Trade #BTC Here 👇👇👇 BTCUSDTPerp78,673.8-6.44%
How Whales Look at the Monthly Close @ Monthly Close Theories1. A close above 89.400 is positive, indicating a potential rise to 103.700. This positivity is confirmed by a hold above 91.700, followed by a rise to 95.750.Second Theory2. A close and hold at 86.400 suggests sideways movement. This anticipates a potential drop to 74 and 69. The movement would then be sideways within a range of 88.400 to 83.370. The holdout level must remain stable at 86.400. This would lead to a decrease in Bitcoin's holdings to the 58.55 area. It would also give altcoins a three-week rally until Bitcoin consolidates. Third Theory @3. This is the most dangerous and comprehensive scenario: a clear monthly close below 86.400 would signal a decline in holdings. To 57.30The swing is confirmed to levels of 69, 66, and 62, from which it rebounds, coinciding with Ethereum's drop to 2.270.This timeframe theory is limited to ten days. Its purpose is to eliminate short-term traders and provide consolidation zones for Bitcoin and Ethereum whales. If I were the market maker, I would use theory number 3.
The likelihood of a U.S. government shutdown by January 31 has surged to approximately 78%, prompting investors to turn to safe-haven assets such as gold and silver. According to NS3.AI, this development has caused a significant drop in crypto market sentiment, which has fallen to 'Extreme Fear' on the Crypto Fear and Greed Index. Concerns over delayed economic data and increased market volatility are contributing to this sentiment.Historically, precious metals have shown strong rallies during government shutdowns, while cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin tend to experience increased volatility and downside risk. Investors are closely monitoring these trends as the situation unfolds.
Bitcoin Long-Term Holders Set Record Sales Amid Market Transition
Bitcoin is experiencing unprecedented selling activity from long-term holders, marking a significant shift in market dynamics. According to Cointelegraph, the trend of selling by these holders began well below current price levels, distinguishing this bull market from previous ones. Over the past two years, Bitcoin long-term holders have set records with their sales, indicating a price cycle and investor transition underway.Research from onchain analytics platform CryptoQuant highlights the ongoing sales of significantly older coins during this bull market. Unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) involving Bitcoin that had been dormant for two years or more have surged since 2024. Contributor Kripto Mevsimi noted that 2024 and 2025 have recorded the highest annual revived supply from long-term holders in Bitcoin's history. This data rivals the distribution seen at the end of the 2017 bull market when Bitcoin reached $20,000. Unlike previous cycles, the current revival is occurring with lower market noise but involves significantly older coins.CryptoQuant suggests that Bitcoin's long-term holders are reassessing their market exposure, a trend that began when prices surpassed $40,000. Early 2026 data does not yet indicate a full reversal of this trend, but revived long-term supply has moderated compared to the peaks of 2024–2025. Kripto Mevsimi speculates whether this represents temporary exhaustion or the start of a new accumulation phase, which will become clearer as the year progresses.As Cointelegraph reported, the activity of long-term holders bringing dormant coins to market has become a major discussion point recently. Bitcoin's underperformance compared to other major asset classes from Q4 2025 onward has raised questions about how the coming year might differ from previous price cycles. With 2026 anticipated to be a bear market year, forecasts suggest a return to much lower levels than the current $90,000. The validity of the four-year price cycle is also debated among market participants. Bitcoin is not only undergoing a price cycle but potentially a transition in who holds it and why. Long-term holder supply behavior is one of the clearest on-chain signals of this shift, according to CryptoQuant. This evolving dynamic in the Bitcoin market underscores the changing landscape and the potential for new patterns in investor behavior. $BTC
While headlines scream volatility, institutions are doing the opposite — quietly stacking BTC. Wallets holding 100–1,000 Bitcoin (excluding miners and exchanges) continue to grow, offering one of the cleanest reads on real institutional demand — ETFs included. The numbers are staggering: 577,000 BTC added in just the past year, worth roughly $53 BILLION at current prices. And the flow hasn’t slowed. This isn’t short-term trading capital. This is custody-grade Bitcoin being parked for the long haul. Institutions don’t accumulate like this for quick flips — they position ahead of structural moves. Retail panics. Institutions absorb. That divergence usually doesn’t last forever. If this pace continues, the supply available to the open market keeps shrinking — and price eventually has to respond. Are you watching price… or watching who’s buying? Follow Wendy for more latest updates
Bitcoin Surges to $96,000, Driven by North American Trading
Bitcoin has surged to $96,000, marking a gain of nearly 10% since the beginning of 2026. The rally has been primarily driven by trading activity during North American market hours. According to data from Velo, Bitcoin has recorded cumulative returns of around 8% during the North American session, significantly outperforming the 3% gain seen during European trading hours. In contrast, the Asian session has weighed on Bitcoin’s overall performance.
This trend represents a clear reversal compared to late 2025, when Bitcoin fell by about 20% during North American trading hours, dropping to nearly $80,000. At that time, Bitcoin faced sustained selling pressure as U.S. markets opened, while spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced consistent daily outflows. Currently, the strongest gains are occurring shortly after the U.S. market opens, highlighting a notable improvement in investor sentiment compared to six months ago. {future}(BTCUSDT) {future}(ETHUSDT) {future}(BNBUSDT)
For those who dont know, recently there was uncertainty about whether Digital Asset Treasury Companies (companies that hold Bitcoin on their balance sheet) would continue to be included in MSCI indexes or not.
Why was this a big deal?
MSCI indexes track over $70 trillion in global equity market capitalization, so staying included means Bitcoin linked companies remain inside the core of institutional capital. Because MSCI indexes are used by: Pension funds ETFs Mutual funds Large institutional portfolios If these companies were removed, it could have triggered forced selling by index funds and passive investors. That would have meant unnecessary pressure on stocks like MicroStrategy and others tied to Bitcoin exposure.
The concern was that MSCI might treat Bitcoin holdings as “non-operating assets” or risk factors that don’t fit traditional index methodology.
But now MSCI has confirmed they will remain in the indexes for the Feb 2026 review.