Critical Week For Bitcoin? Options Pressure and ETF Incentives Converge | US Crypto News

Welcome to the US Crypto News Morning Briefingyour essential rundown of the most important developments in crypto for the day ahead. Grab a coffee, because after weeks of consolidation, the pioneer crypto has reclaimed $90,000. Technical breakouts, looming options expiries, and ETF positioning are combining to set the stage for a potentially volatile yet bullish end-of-year run for Bitcoin price. Crypto News of the Day: Bitcoin Breaks $90,000 Amid Technical Momentum and Year-End Market Dynamics Bitcoin has climbed back above the $90,000 mark, reviving bullish momentum across the crypto market as technical breakouts, derivatives positioning, and ETF-related incentives align during thin year-end liquidity. The move places Bitcoin at a critical crossroads, with analysts divided between expectations of near-term volatility and a broader push toward six-figure prices. From a technical perspective, momentum appears to be turning decisively bullish, with the Bitcoin price establishing a key chart development on the daily timeframe. On the daily chart, Bitcoin is pushing out of a descending triangle that is morphing into a descending wedge. This is happening as momentum builds above the $90,000 level. In technical analysis, descending triangle breakouts to the upside are often viewed as continuation signals, suggesting Bitcoins a budding recovery rally. On-chain valuation metrics also indicate room for further upside, with Bitcoins realized price, an indicator reflecting the average price at which BTC was last transacted, sitting well below current market levels. Realized price shows the average price where Bitcoin was last bought.Current levels: Bitcoin price: $88K Realized price: $56K 2 realized (mid band): $112K 4 realized (upper band): $225KHistorically, $BTC has met resistance near the mid band and cycle tops closer pic.twitter.com/EimbsGkj8k Kyledoops (@kyledoops) December 22, 2025 Historically, Bitcoin has encountered resistance near the mid-band and cycle peaks closer to the upper band. This suggests that while BTC is trading above fair value, it is still far from the levels typically associated with cycle tops. However, short-term volatility risks are building, with a significant derivatives catalyst ahead. On Friday, 50% of Deribits open interest will expire, comprising approximately $24 billion in Bitcoin options and other contracts. Massive BTC Option expiry on Friday.$24bn expiring with Calls outweighing Puts by 2.6x.Keep an eye on "Max Pain" price at $96k. Theory goes dealers attempt to pin spot at this price to inflict losses on buyers.Either way, could get volatile in low liquidity Xmas hours. pic.twitter.com/t1ZCEfGcGK Nic (@nicrypto) December 22, 2025 According to Nic Pucrin, CEO and co-founder of Coin Bureau, option traders may attempt to pin prices around Bitcoins max pain level of $96,000 to maximize losses for option holders. Such a dynamic could amplify price swings during low-liquidity Christmas trading hours. Institutional positioning via spot Bitcoin ETFs is also shaping market psychology. According to Glassnode data, ETF flows are creating strong incentives for a year-end rally, with the average price of ETF buyers being around $83,000. Spot Bitcoin ETF Flows. Source: Glassnode Against this backdrop, analyst Ran Neuner says Bitcoin could close the year very close to, if not above $100,000. Im still expecting a pump between now and the end of the year!The average price of ETF buyers is around $83000 and there are many people incentivized to show performance! I expect use to close very close if not above $100k. Ran Neuner (@cryptomanran) December 22, 2025 At the same time, liquidity dynamics suggest a key battle zone ahead, with Bitcoinliquidity building up around the $90,800 threshold. According to analyst Lennaert Snyder, a rejection from this area could trigger short opportunities unless Bitcoin can reclaim resistance near $94,000. $BTC liquidity keeps building up at ~$90,800.When Bitcoin grabs this liquidity and rejects, it's a perfect opportunity for quality shorts after the failure.If the short squeeze is enough fuel and we reclaim key ~$94,000 resistance, I'll look for longs after the gain.Let's pic.twitter.com/klNagN01RA Lennaert Snyder (@LennaertSnyder) December 21, 2025 Looking beyond the immediate noise, analyst Michael van de Poppe framed the move as part of a larger cycle shift. Bitcoin held above a crucial level of support at $86,500 and continues to grind upwards, he said, arguing that the case for a $100,000 test is strengthening and that the market may be entering the early stages of a broader bull market. Whether altcoins outperform Bitcoin next, he added, could determine how this rally evolves in the weeks ahead. Chart of the Day Bitcoin (BTC) Price Performance. Source: TradingView Byte-Sized Alpha Heres a summary of more US crypto news to follow today: Ethereum hit harder than Bitcoin as $952 million exits crypto fundsHeres why. What awaits Bitcoin in 2026? These old economic models may hold the answer. Why analysts believe altcoins are in the final stage of the bear market. Galaxy Digital issues 2027 Bitcoin forecast as 2026 outlook remains unclear. AAVE price slides 10% as DAO governance dispute triggers sell-off. Hyperliquid denies insider trading allegations as $1 billion HYPE burn vote approaches. Fed to inject $6.8 billion into markets in first repo since 2020 Why crypto is paying attention. Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview CompanyAt the Close of December 19Pre-Market OverviewStrategy (MSTR)$164.82$168.60 (+2.29%)Coinbase (COIN)$245.12$250.00 (+1.99%)Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)$24.00$24.79 (+3.29%)MARA Holdings (MARA)$10.18$10.41 (+2.26%)Riot Platforms (RIOT)$14.50$14.77 (+1.86%)Core Scientific (CORZ)$15.60$15.90 (+1.92%)Crypto equities market open race:GoogleFinance Read the article at BeInCrypto