Bitcoin Gets Macro Boost as $87,000 Comes Into Play

Bitcoin under pressure ahead of a pivotal macro week

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) traded into Sunday’s close amid a chorus of macro catalysts that have traders weighing a potential shift in risk sentiment. Data show BTC/USD slipping around 1.6% on the day, topping out near $87,471 on Bitstamp as investors digest a slate of events that could influence liquidity and volatility through the end of January. The pullback comes as futures and spot markets brace for a string of data releases and policy decisions that have historically driven outsized moves in the crypto space.

Longer-dated risk is anchored by a combination of political and monetary headwinds. Crystallizing concerns about a possible U.S. government shutdown and ongoing debate over tariff policy have traders revisiting the notion that macro shocks could spill into crypto markets. As the Kobeissi Letter highlighted, a shutdown scenario and tariff threats were being watched closely by market participants, with the potential to amplify risk-off dynamics if equity futures fail to stabilize.

The near-term price action has also drawn attention to the balance of open interest and liquidations. In the 24-hour window, long positions dominated liquidations, with totals surpassing $250 million, according to data tracked by CoinGlass. The data suggest traders are navigating a choppy tape, where even modest shifts in macro sentiment can trigger outsized liquidations in highly leveraged segments of the market.

Against this backdrop, some analysts have sought to identify catalysts that might offer relief or an upside surprise. Michaël van de Poppe flagged a potential bullish divergence between BTC and silver on a three-day timeframe, a rare setup that could signal intensified volatility in the coming sessions. The analyst noted that after record highs in gold and silver, a divergence could reflect shifting money flows within the broader precious metals and crypto complex. Such a development could attract speculative capital back to the crypto space if the divergence proves persistent.

Market participants also kept a close eye on technical references and order-book liquidity. Traders discussed a key support level near the low $80,000s, with some arguing that a break below mid-range momentum would tilt the balance toward downside risk as traders reassess leverage and margin conditions. The broader narrative remains unsettled: a short-term bullish bounce could emerge on a favorable macro surprise, but the dominant theme appears skewed toward caution as major events loom.

In addition to macro considerations, the market continues to quantify positioning through open interest metrics and liquidity data. A notable uptick in open interest around the weekly close underscored the sense that traders were preparing for a high-volatility period. This dynamic is consistent with a market awaiting clarity on policy trajectories and economic indicators rather than committing to a directional bet.

What stands out in the current setup is the confluence of external shocks with technical dynamics. While a few analysts argue that a relief rally remains possible if macro data cools or if policy expectations shift, the prevailing tone emphasizes the risk of a renewed leg lower for BTC in the near term. The potential for a sharp move either way is heightened given the proximity of key events and the sensitivity of crypto markets to broad risk appetite changes.

Figure: BTC liquidation heatmap. Soruce: CrypNuevo/X

BTC price in focus as week’s macro slate deepens

From a market behavior perspective, traders are watching how the week’s macro agenda might shape the risk environment for cryptocurrencies. The coming days could feature a combination of U.S. macro releases, commentary from policymakers, and evolving regulatory rhetoric that collectively influence the trajectory of liquidity and risk tolerance across digital-asset markets.

As the week unfolds, observers will be looking for confirmation signals from on-chain metrics, order-book depth, and the pace of liquidations relative to open-interest development. In the near term, the price action remains sensitive to headlines and sentiment about whether the broader macro backdrop presents a net risk-on or risk-off impulse for BTC and related assets.

BTC/XAG: a potential pivot point

On a longer horizon, some traders have highlighted a possible pivot in the relationship between Bitcoin and silver. A rare bullish divergence observed on a three-day chart could imply a rotation of capital into crypto if negative macro pressures abate and risk appetite improves. This narrative is not a guarantee, but it underscores the interconnectedness of macro-complex dynamics and digital-asset prices as investors evaluate hedges and alternative stores of value.

In the background, market observers note that the Federal Reserve’s policy path remains a central determinant. The timing and magnitude of any rate adjustments feed into expectations for liquidity and leverage in crypto markets. The probability of changes to policy is continually priced in by market participants, with odds of a near-term cut frequently cited as a critical variable shaping risk sentiment.

Market context and implications

The current environment is characterized by heightened sensitivity to macro developments and policy signals. Crypto markets have shown a propensity to react to headlines that influence risk appetite, with Bitcoin often acting as a barometer for broader investor sentiment. The interplay between macro data, Fed policy expectations, and geopolitical risk can amplify price moves in digital assets, making near-term risk management particularly important for traders and institutions.

Why it matters

The week ahead matters for a wide range of market participants. Traders are calibrating exposure as macro uncertainties persist, which could lead to increased volatility and rapid repricing of risk assets. For holders and enthusiasts, the ability to navigate shifts in liquidity and leverage will influence decision-making around entries and exits. For developers and infrastructure participants, sustained volatility can affect funding dynamics, yield strategies, and risk controls within the broader ecosystem.

What to watch next

– Key macro events and policy signals that could alter risk sentiment in crypto markets.
– The Federal Reserve’s decision and accompanying communications around rate expectations.
– Developments around potential U.S. government funding decisions and tariff policy.
– Changes in open interest and liquidations as markets approach major headlines.
– Any progression in BTC’s price relationship with silver or other traditional hedges.

Sources & verification

– BTC/USD price data and intraday movements from TradingView and Bitstamp.
– 24-hour crypto liquidations data from CoinGlass.
– Market commentary and tweets from The Kobeissi Letter and Michaël van de Poppe.
– CME Group FedWatch Tool probabilities for the upcoming FOMC decision.
– Regulatory and macro context referenced in the article’s embedded links and citations.

Rewritten article body (Market reaction and key details)

Market reaction and key details

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) extended a slide into Sunday’s session as traders weighed a week expected to be defined by macro developments. The asset’s pullback followed a 1.6% drop on the day, with prices touching roughly $87,471 on Bitstamp, according to TradingView data. The move underscored a fragile risk stance ahead of a packed calendar that could reshape liquidity and volatility across digital markets.

In the background, investor positioning appeared to lean toward downside in the near term. Data from CoinGlass showed long liquidations dominating a broad set of liquidations in the last 24 hours, with totals exceeding $250 million. The pattern suggested a risk-off tilt as traders recalibrated leverage in response to the potential for further macro shocks and policy surprises.

Market observers highlighted the likelihood of a broad macro trigger that could intensify price action. The Kobeissi Letter framed the week as one that could confront investors with a combination of macroheadwinds—ranging from a potential U.S. government shutdown to tariff policy changes—and the Federal Reserve’s policy stance. The note underscored the sensitivity of crypto markets to political and economic developments and the potential for outsized moves as events unfold.

BREAKING: Bitcoin falls below $88,000 as $60 million worth of levered longs are liquidated in 30 minutes.

A government shutdown is now expected and President Trump has threatened 100% tariffs on Canada.

US stock market futures will open in less than 7 hours. pic.twitter.com/40GxrMdRTI

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 25, 2026

The broader setup included a note on impending earnings and macro releases that could set the tone for the week. The CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, cited in market commentaries, placed the odds of at least a 0.25% cut in focus for the upcoming FOMC meeting, highlighting the ongoing debate about the pace of rate reductions and the impact on liquidity conditions for risk assets. The nuanced expectation around policy kept traders on edge, even as some strategists suggested that any disappointment in data could spark renewed selling pressure in BTC.

On the technical front, traders observed a retreat from the mid-range as a potentially bearish signal for further downside. CrypNuevo, a well-known analyst, highlighted a support threshold near $86,300 as a critical line in the sand for bulls, while cautioning that a loss of momentum could invite a reversion toward the weekly low. The analyst also pointed to larger-timeframe (HTF) liquidations tilting the risk profile toward the downside in the near term, signaling that a short-term rally would likely face stiff resistance in the absence of supportive macro catalysts.

“Any short-lived pump this week is a potential short opportunity.”

Another thread of the narrative involved observations around open interest and liquidity. Several traders noted an unusual surge in open interest heading into the weekly close, a sign that market participants were positioning for a potentially volatile stretch ahead of major macro events. This dynamic reinforced the sense that BTC could exhibit amplified moves as new information arrives and risk appetite fluctuates.

Looking for a potential counterpoint, Michaël van de Poppe argued for a scenario where BTC could form a bullish divergence against silver (XAG) on the three-day horizon. The analyst suggested that a bottom signal in this metric could indicate capital rotation into other assets and a possible swing higher for Bitcoin if macro conditions stabilize. While not a forecast, the perspective added nuance to the ongoing debate about whether the market would find a bottom or another test of the lingering support around the low-80s region.

Against this backdrop, market participants remained attentive to how the macro calendar would unfold and what signals from policymakers might mean for risk assets. The Fed’s next move, federal data releases, and even international trade developments could all influence the balance of risk and reward in the crypto space over the coming days.