The price of Bitcoin seems stagnant at first glance. In the last 24 hours, the value remained almost stable, with a drop of only 0.2%. Even on a weekly basis, Bitcoin has barely moved, rising approximately 0.7%. The market seems calm, and many traders consider this a consolidation action.
However, beneath the surface, several signs suggest that Bitcoin (BTC) is not as weak as it seems. The dynamics are slowly changing, sellers are losing conviction, and large investors continue to position themselves discreetly. Together, these factors explain why optimistic forecasts from experts like Tom Lee for the asset's price have not disappeared, even without a breakout yet.
Momentum and volume signals are quietly improving
On the daily chart, Bitcoin's price continues to respect the level of $90,100. This zone has acted as a solid base during recent volatility, avoiding deeper pullbacks even when the price failed to follow an upward trend.
One of the clearest early signals comes from the On-Balance Volume (OBV). The OBV tracks whether volume is entering or leaving an asset, helping to identify hidden buying or selling pressures.
Between December 9 and 11, Bitcoin's price reached a lower high, while the OBV recorded a higher high. This divergence shows that, even with price difficulties, buyers were more active behind the scenes.
This signal strengthened between December 10 and 12. During this period, Bitcoin's price recorded a lower low, while the OBV formed a higher low. This tells the same story from another perspective. Sellers pushed the price down, but with weaker volume support.
These two OBV divergences work together, not against each other. Combined, they show that selling pressure is decreasing, not accelerating. This does not confirm a breakout, but it often appears before one.
Investors and whales are positioning themselves despite the stable price
Only momentum signals are not enough. On-chain data adds confirmation. The Holder Net Position Change indicator tracks whether long-term investors are adding to or reducing their positions in Bitcoin. Negative values mean selling. Less negative values indicate that selling pressure is decreasing.
On December 10, long-term investors were distributing approximately 155,999 BTC. By December 13, this number fell to around 150,614 BTC. This represents a reduction of about 3.4% in selling pressure.
The change is not drastic, but it is significant. Bitcoin is not recording panic selling, despite trading in a range. Instead, investors are selling less as the price stabilizes. This behavior typically appears during consolidation phases, not during sharp declines.
The strongest signal comes from the whales. The number of entities holding at least 1,000 BTC remains close to its six-month high. This metric typically reflects large long-term investors.
Since the end of October, Bitcoin's price has corrected and moved sideways. During the same period, whale entities continued to add. This creates a clear divergence. The price weakened, but large investors continued to accumulate. And they usually do not accumulate without a valid reason.
This behavior helps explain why optimistic forecasts for Bitcoin's price, made by analysts like Tom Lee, remain valid.
JUST IN: Tom Lee says Bitcoin has likely bottomed and could break the 4-year cycle and hit $180,000 by the end of January. pic.twitter.com/NuFAltmFm8
— The ₿itcoin Therapist (@TheBTCTherapist) December 13, 2025
These forecasts are not based on short-term candles. They are based on reduced selling, improved volume structure, and constant accumulation by whales. Still, Bitcoin's price needs to confirm this thesis.
Bitcoin price levels that define whether the bulls take control
For Bitcoin to turn these signals into action, price confirmation is needed.
The most important level remains at $94,600. A daily close above this zone would represent a movement of approximately 5% relative to current levels and would break the upper limit of the current compression structure. This would signal that buyers have regained control in the short term.
If the level of $94,600 is broken, the next resistance is near $99,800. A sustained move above this level could pave the way for $107,500, if broader market conditions allow. This could be the first real catalyst for Tom Lee's aggressive $180,000 outlook, as previously mentioned.
On the other hand, if Bitcoin's price loses the support of $90,000, the next support is near $89,200. Below this, $87,500 becomes the next crucial level. A break below these zones would invalidate the bullish scenario, at least in the short term.
The article Optimistic Bitcoin Forecasts Remain Valid for These 3 Reasons was first seen on BeInCrypto Brazil.
