Bitcoin's Push Toward $90K Fueled by Year-End Sentiment Shift and Market Positioning

The crypto market is displaying renewed momentum as 2025 draws to a close, with Bitcoin (BTC) staging a recovery that reflects more than just technical bounces. The December surge has triggered a cascade effect through altcoins, suggesting a broader market rotation driven by positioning changes and macro expectations.

The Year-End Rally Narrative Takes Hold

Market analysts have pinpointed a fundamental shift in trader sentiment as we approach 2026. According to CryptoQuant data, futures market participants are increasingly adopting bullish stances, betting on a New Year surge that could extend into the opening weeks of the new year. The Bitcoin Funding Rate—a critical gauge of market leverage and directional bias—has climbed substantially, signaling that leveraged longs are stacking up alongside short-covering dynamics.

This positioning change reflects a departure from the holiday quiet that saw Bitcoin miss the traditional Santa rally bounce that had propelled U.S. equities to record levels. Instead, crypto traders are now pricing in fresh catalysts, particularly the pending FOMC minutes scheduled for release around year-end, which could reshape expectations for January rate trajectories.

Liquidity Events Provide Near-Term Spark

Beneath the surface, CoinGlass liquidity analysis reveals that Bitcoin’s recent 2% uptick during Asian trading sessions stems partly from hunters extracting liquidity positioned above key resistance levels. With upside liquidity pools identified near $90.9K, the path toward higher prices remains technical viable in the immediate term, though range-bound trading between $85K-$90K has dominated recent sessions.

This liquidity-driven dynamic, combined with the strategic positioning shift documented by futures markets, creates a dual catalyst for further consolidation or breakout attempts. The current price action around $90.56K reflects this tension between structural positioning and tactical liquidity grabs.

Altcoins Catch Bid as Bitcoin Steadies

The resurgence in alternative assets marks a notable phase shift. Token gainers over recent sessions have included Canton (CC), Midnight (NIGHT), and Solana (SOL), with SOL demonstrating strength through a +2.62% 24-hour advance. Meanwhile, the artificial intelligence narrative has captured attention, with Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) posting impressive +4.70% gains.

More significant than daily movers, however, is the accumulation trend emerging in large-cap altcoins. Chainlink (LINK) and FET have become focal points for smart money inflows, as tracked through exchange outflow metrics on major platforms. This shift from pure Bitcoin dominance toward selective altcoin positioning suggests traders are rotating into conviction plays ahead of potential volatility.

The altcoin season index remains subdued at 18, indicating that alternative tokens remain in early-stage participation relative to Bitcoin’s share of market cap. Yet the recent break above key resistance in aggregate altcoin market capitalization hints at renewed traction, according to market observers.

What Comes Next

The macro calendar carries weight for the immediate outlook. FOMC meeting minutes due at year-end could trigger volatility as the market recalibrates rate-cut expectations for the January policy outlook. Coupled with the tactical positioning observed in futures markets and the liquidity landscape mapped by on-chain analysts, the stage is set for potential market-moving events.

For now, Bitcoin remains the bellwether—holding above support while accumulating bullish positioning. Altcoins follow in its wake, with selective names finding buyer interest as traders prepare for what could be a decisive start to 2026. The combination of year-end sentiment shifts, technical positioning, and macro anticipation creates a complex backdrop that demands close monitoring.