Against this backdrop, Bitcoin’s technical structure is attracting renewed attention as multiple signals point to trend continuation rather than exhaustion.
Key Takeaways
- •Bitcoin’s uptrend remains intact, with price holding key moving averages on both daily and weekly charts.
- •Strong ETF inflows and short-side liquidations point to growing institutional demand and healthier market structure.
- •If the ascending channel holds, $130,000 is a realistic upside target, especially if capital rotates out of precious metals.
This shift in focus is increasingly being echoed by market commentators. A CNBC analyst recently said Bitcoin and crypto appear to be shaping up as the next major trend heading into 2026, noting that Bitcoin is likely developing into one of the strongest near-term trends in the market. That assessment aligns closely with the improving technical picture now visible on higher timeframes.
Weekly Chart at a Critical Inflection Point
On the weekly timeframe, Bitcoin remains inside a clearly defined ascending channel and is now approaching a decisive zone. Price is testing the upper boundary of the channel while also nearing the 50-week moving average.
A breakout above channel resistance would suggest trend acceleration, while a clean move above the 50-week MA would likely confirm a stronger medium-term bullish phase. Historically, reclaiming this moving average during an uptrend has often preceded extended upside moves.
The growing institutional narrative around Bitcoin strengthens the importance of this weekly setup. If Bitcoin manages to break higher from this structure, it would reinforce the idea that the asset is transitioning from a recovery phase into a sustained trend that could define market leadership into 2026, as suggested by several mainstream analysts.
Daily Structure Confirms Bullish Continuation
The daily chart reinforces the bullish case. Bitcoin has flipped the 50-day moving average from resistance into support. After breaking above it, price retested the level, held, and then pushed higher. This breakout–retest–continuation structure is typical of trend-following markets. Importantly, since November 20, Bitcoin has not recorded a daily candle close below $84,000, highlighting consistent demand and strong downside protection.
This technical resilience is being matched by strong capital inflows. Bitcoin ETFs have been seeing unusually large demand as the crypto rally extends, with yesterday recording a net inflow of $753.8 million into Bitcoin ETFs. That marked the largest single-day inflow since October 6, when more than $1.21 billion entered ETFs during Bitcoin’s surge to new all-time highs. Such inflows suggest that buyers are positioning with a longer-term outlook rather than chasing short-term moves.
Liquidations Reset Positioning
Recent volatility triggered significant liquidations on both sides of the market, helping clear excessive leverage. Data shows roughly $174.5 million in total Bitcoin liquidations, with approximately $19.2 million from long positions and $155.3 million from shorts. The heavy short-side liquidations suggest that bearish bets were aggressively unwound during the latest move higher, reinforcing the strength of the rally. This type of leverage reset often creates healthier conditions for continuation rather than sharp, unstable price swings.
Combined with strong ETF inflows, the liquidation data points to a market that is increasingly driven by spot demand and institutional positioning rather than speculative excess, improving the durability of the current move.
Momentum and Upside Scenarios
Momentum indicators support the price action. RSI remains elevated but not deeply overextended, indicating strength without clear exhaustion, while MACD has turned higher again, pointing to improving bullish momentum. If Bitcoin continues to respect the ascending channel structure, the $130,000 region comes into view as a realistic upside target. The next key test will be how Bitcoin behaves if gold and silver begin to consolidate after their record-breaking runs.
If Bitcoin continues to hold firm or extend higher during a pullback in precious metals, it would further validate the idea that capital rotation is underway and that Bitcoin could emerge as the next dominant trend asset, reinforcing the view that crypto may play a central role in markets heading into 2026.