Bitcoin latest price forecast: After short-term consolidation, can BTC start a new round of upward trend?

Recently, a viewpoint on the professional chart analysis platform TradingView titled “Bitcoin Price Analysis: Will BTC Surge Above $100,000 Next Week?” has sparked widespread discussion in the market. This reflects the high level of attention and divergence among investors regarding Bitcoin’s future trajectory at this critical juncture. As a leading global crypto asset platform, Gate is committed to providing users with timely, comprehensive market data and in-depth analysis. This article combines Gate’s real-time market quotes and on-chain data to review the current Bitcoin market situation and explore several potential future paths.

Gate Real-Time Market Data Overview: The Market at a Critical Balance Point

As of January 26, 2026, according to Gate market data, the latest price of Bitcoin (BTC) is $87,844.1. In the past 24 hours, the price has fluctuated between $86,100 and $89,010.2, with an amplitude of about 3.4%, indicating intense battles between bulls and bears at the current level.

From a broader perspective:

• Market Cap and Position: Bitcoin’s current market cap is approximately $1.79 T, accounting for 56.48% of the entire cryptocurrency market, maintaining its leading position.
• Recent Performance: Over the past 7 days, BTC has retraced -6.21%; however, over a 30-day period, it still shows a +3.19% increase. This short-term correction and long-term upward trend are typical of healthy adjustments in a bull market cycle or signals of trend reversal—this is the core focus of current analysis.
• Historical Reference: Bitcoin’s all-time high (ATH) is $126,080. The current price is still about 30% below that peak. However, since 2026, its average price has reached $89,734.6, indicating that the market’s center of gravity has shifted significantly upward compared to previous cycles.

Technical and On-Chain Signals: Interplay of Bull and Bear Factors

Combining analyst insights from TradingView and Gate’s chart tools, we can identify several key technical levels:

• Critical Support Zone: The $86,000 – $87,800 range currently forms an important support band. This area consolidates recent lows during price retracements and short-term moving averages. Sustained support here would help build momentum for further upward movement. A stronger long-term support level can be referenced near $82,500.
• Immediate Resistance Levels: The first major resistance above is in the $89,000 to $90,000 range, near the 24-hour high and psychological barrier. More significant resistance lies between $95,000 and $98,200. Breaking through this zone would be seen as a key signal that the market is regaining strong upward momentum and could open the door to challenge $100,000 and even higher targets like $107,500.

Beyond price charts, on-chain data provides another dimension of insight:

• Abundant Stablecoin Liquidity: The total market cap of stablecoins worldwide is approaching historical highs, indicating a large amount of “ready funds” waiting off-chain. When these funds flow into the crypto market via platforms like Gate, they often translate into buying power for core assets like BTC, serving as a potential fuel for upward trends.
• Growing Institutional Interest: Although retail market sentiment indicators (such as funding rates) show cautiousness among retail investors, on-chain data reveals that institutional entities (such as custody addresses for spot ETFs) have been steadily increasing or maintaining their holdings during recent market corrections. This “quiet accumulation by institutions,” often occurring in neutral or slightly bearish sentiment, may lay the groundwork for subsequent upward movement.

Bitcoin Price Forecast and Potential Scenario Analysis

Based on the above data, we can project several possible scenarios:

• Bullish Scenario: Bitcoin successfully defends the $86,000 – $87,800 support zone and increases volume to break through the $90,000 threshold in the short term. If it can further overcome the strong resistance at $95,000 – $98,200, market sentiment will turn optimistic quickly, with a high likelihood of pushing toward $100,000 and even $107,500. This requires sustained buying pressure and favorable macroeconomic conditions.
• Consolidation Scenario: The price oscillates between $86,000 and $92,000, trading within a range to buy time, digest previous profit-taking and accumulate new momentum. In this case, trading volume may decrease, and the market will wait for clearer fundamental or technical signals to determine the next direction.
• Pullback Scenario: If the key support at $86,000 is effectively broken, the market could further test support levels at $82,500 or even deeper at $74,500 – $71,200. Such a decline might be triggered by unexpected macroeconomic shocks, liquidity tightening, or large-scale liquidations.

From a long-term perspective, based on Gate’s comprehensive market data analysis, Bitcoin’s expected price range in 2026 could be between $52,943.41 and $126,525.78. Some long-term models predict that by 2031, driven by scarcity, ongoing institutional adoption, and recognition as a store of value, Bitcoin could reach approximately $271,045.28. Of course, these long-term forecasts are highly uncertain and heavily influenced by global regulation, technological developments, and macroeconomic cycles.

Conclusion: Stay Attentive and Adapt Flexibly

Overall, Bitcoin is currently at a critical technical crossroads. On one hand, the market is consolidating below historic highs, with on-chain signals indicating institutional accumulation and ample liquidity. On the other hand, short-term momentum is weakening, and a clear breakout of resistance levels is needed to confirm a new upward trend.

For traders closely monitoring Gate’s market page, the key focus in the coming week will be observing how prices react to the support and resistance levels mentioned above. Regardless of which direction the market breaks, volatility could increase significantly. In this neutral yet opportunity-rich market sentiment, risk management and flexible strategies are more important than ever.