📊 Current Price Snapshot
Bitcoin (BTC): ~ $87,900 — trading in a choppy range near key support after recent volatility.
Ethereum (ETH): ~ $2,960 — showing modest weakness along with broader market.
Solana (SOL): ~ $125 — small pullback with broader altcoin pressure.
This reflects the general risk-off sentiment in crypto markets right now.
📉 Market Direction & Trends
1. Ongoing Correction / Volatility:
Major cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, and XRP are extending a correction phase with weakness on the charts and increased volatility as macro data and central bank moves weigh on risk assets.
2. Macro Influence:
US CPI & inflation news sparked sharp swings — lower inflation boosted risk assets like stocks, but crypto saw volatile reactions and mixed price direction.
Bank of Japan rate hike also affected sentiment globally, tipping markets into cautious trading.
3. Options & Derivatives:
Nearly $3.16 billion in BTC & ETH options are expiring today, often leading to higher volatility and range-bound moves as traders hedge and position around strike prices.
4. Market Structure & Liquidity:
Trading volumes are thinner ahead of the holiday season, which tends to amplify swings and reduce liquidity.
📰 Notable Crypto News
📍 Regulation & Policy
US Senate delayed a crypto regulation bill to 2026, which briefly pressured Bitcoin prices below $90K.
UK to regulate crypto assets under financial rules (from 2027), aiming for stricter transparency and consumer protection.
📍 Institutional Activity
A Wall Street forecast suggests Bitcoin could climb toward $143K in 2026 if adoption and ETF flows continue — but also warns of a bearish scenario near ~$78K.
Coinbase is expanding into stock trading & prediction markets, showing broader institutional interest beyond pure crypto trading.
📌 Overall Market Sentiment
Mixed and cautious:
Traders are on the fence with increased volatility and macro uncertainty.
Crypto remains correlated with broader markets, and sentiment often shifts with macroeconomic cues, earnings, and Fed/BoJ moves.
Holiday season typically = lower liquidity + bigger price swings.
