- Bitcoin price trades around $87,000–$87,600, down from its October peak but supported by key technical levels and recent rebounds.
- U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $457 million in net inflows on December 17–18, the largest in over a month.
- President Trump praised Fed Governor Christopher Waller as “great” after interviewing him for Fed Chair, highlighting Waller’s supportive views on stablecoins.
As of December 19, 2025, the Bitcoin price has increased by 0.4% in the last 24 hours and is currently trading at $87,067, with a daily trading volume of $62.8 billion. The price has been volatile, with recent dips below $85,000 followed by small recoveries. Traders closely watch key levels as the year comes to a close.
Bitcoin Price Stands at a Crossroads
Bitcoin traders are on high alert today as the cryptocurrency’s daily chart flashes a classic “death cross,” a bearish technical signal that has dominated headlines in the volatile crypto market.
The pattern occurred when Bitcoin’s 50-day simple moving average (SMA) at approximately $93,978 crosses below the 200-day SMA around $108,080. This crossover, visible in the mid-to-late portion of the chart, signals weakening short-term momentum against the longer-term trend.
Accompanied by a descending trendline from earlier highs and multiple red arrows pointing to downward pressure, the setup paints a cautious picture for the world’s largest digital asset.
Despite the slight daily gain of 0.4%, the price remains well below its all-time high of over $126,000 reached in October, reflecting a broader correction that has seen BTC shed roughly 32% from those peaks.
Momentum Indicators Reinforce the Mixed Sentiment
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 40.89 sits in neutral territory but closer to oversold levels, suggesting potential exhaustion among sellers. The MACD histogram shows bearish momentum, though the bars appear to be flattening, hinting at possible deceleration in the downtrend.
While the death cross often evokes fears of prolonged declines, historical precedents in Bitcoin’s cycles tell a more nuanced story. In recent years, similar crossovers, such as those in 2023 and 2024, frequently marked local bottoms rather than the start of deep bear markets, with subsequent recoveries delivering median gains of 30% in six months and nearly 90% over 12 months, according to data reviewed by experts at firms like VanEck.
The chart’s annotations, including a large gray arrow pointing downward along a black trendline, underscore the Bitcoin price bearish bias, potentially eyeing support near $80,000 or lower. However, on the bullish side, the upward-curving 200-day SMA is a sign of underlying long-term strength, with the current pullback viewed as a healthy consolidation after 2025’s explosive rally.
Traders are watching closely for a break above the 50-day SMA near $94,000, which could invalidate the death cross and spark a relief rally, or a decisive drop below recent lows that might accelerate selling pressure.
Market Sentiment and On-Chain Data
Sentiment stays cautious as the Crypto Fear and Greed Index sits at 16–17, signaling “Extreme Fear.” Historically, such low readings often mark buying opportunities before rebounds.
Meanwhile, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw strong inflows of $457 million on December 17, led by Fidelity’s FBTC. This shows institutional buying despite price weakness.
Cumulative spot trading volume charts point to Binance dominating liquidity. Long-term exchange inflow charts from SoSoValue show growing ETF assets. However, large deposits to Binance occurred as the price dipped below $85,000.
With institutional inflows via spot ETFs rising and macroeconomic uncertainties lingering, Bitcoin’s next move could set the tone for the final weeks of 2025.
Traders remain divided as bears point to the ominous cross, while bulls argue it’s a lagging indicator in an otherwise maturing bull cycle. One thing is clear, though: the crypto king continues to command attention with every candlestick.
Positive Developments in Regulation and Adoption
News flows lean bullish on the regulatory side as President Trump interviewed pro-crypto Fed Governor Christopher Waller for Fed Chair on Wednesday, calling him “great” afterward.
Waller also commented that 2026 could bring economic improvement without re-accelerating inflation. He is gaining popularity in the crypto space for his support of stablecoins and DeFi, which could mean friendlier policies ahead.
Meanwhile, the FDIC’s new framework will allow U.S. banks issue payment stablecoins. As Visa plans stablecoin settlements with USDC on Solana for institutions, Mastercard expands blockchain payments in the Middle East with the ADI Foundation.
Despite positive adoption and regulation news, Bitcoin price tests a critical support zone on charts, separating bullish from bearish setups. The upcoming $23 billion options expiration could spike volatility. And the recent Friday price drops add caution.
Bottom Line
Overall, strong ETF flows, regulatory progress, and extreme fear suggest potential for a year-end bounce. But macro risks and technical resistance keep the market range-bound for now. Traders keenly await a decisive move above $90,000 for clearer bullish confirmation or a break below $83,000 for bearish confirmation.
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