Bitcoin Hits 2026 High Above $97K as Bullish Indicators Strengthen

Bitcoin rose above $97,500 on January 14, 2026, marking a fresh 2026 high as multiple onchain and derivatives indicators suggest the bullish momentum is likely to continue. Traders are eyeing the $100,000 level as the next potential target, with open interest and net taker volume showing signs of aggressive buying.

The price rally confirmed a higher high on the daily chart, with Bitcoin closing above $95,000. This has weakened immediate resistance levels and raised expectations for a push toward $100,000. Binance net taker volume briefly exceeded $500 million, reinforcing the strength of the buying pressure.

Stablecoin inflows remain muted, indicating that investors are in a waiting phase. In past cycles, stablecoin liquidity has often lagged BTC inflows but can turn into a bullish signal if follow-through demand emerges according to onchain data.

Why Did This Happen?

Onchain data shows Bitcoin’s rally gaining strength, with the Coinbase Premium Index gradually resetting after a period of heavy selling. While the index remains net-negative, the pace of selling pressure has slowed significantly, suggesting reduced panic among US-based investors.

Bitcoin’s seven-day average inflow into Coinbase Advanced is currently at roughly 2.5 times its baseline. This pattern has historically coincided with price appreciation, driven by spot accumulation and OTC settlement.

How Did Markets React?

Derivatives activity highlights the strength of the bullish sentiment. Binance reported a sharp increase in net taker volume, with one hourly candle exceeding $500 million in aggressive buying. This behavior has historically aligned with trend continuation rather than reversal.

Bitcoin’s hourly funding rate also reached a new low since October 17, 2025. This suggests crowded short exposure and cautious use of leverage. As funding normalized, the price rallied sharply, implying shorts were forced to unwind.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are monitoring Bitcoin’s ability to maintain above $95,000. With limited resistance above this level, a technical rally to $103,500 is considered possible. A clean break above $92,000 without a drop below the 21-day moving average could propel BTC-USD to $100,000 within roughly ten days.

Longer-term views are even more optimistic. Some analysts have raised their end-2026 price targets from around $130,000 to $150,000 after reassessing potential value from quantum security progress and regulated capital market integration.

The downside scenario for BTC-USD remains credible, with some technicians highlighting three aligned bearish signals. These include bearish divergence in weekly and monthly oscillators, a bear flag structure projecting toward $70,000, and a head-and-shoulders pattern that remains valid according to technical analysis.

Despite the bullish indicators, the market remains cautious. A breakdown through $90,500 could trigger a decline toward $89,239–$89,241, followed by key support at $88,700 and $87,210.

Bitcoin’s price resilience against recent geopolitical developments, such as Trump’s 25% tariff threat, also suggests a more mature and hedged market structure. Unlike October’s volatility, which triggered $19 billion in liquidations, the January response was a brief dip followed by a quick recovery.

This improved stability is attributed to lower leverage, calmer funding rates, and active hedging in the volatility market. Spot ETFs have also helped absorb retail selling pressure, with institutional flows compensating for short-term fluctuations.

Overall, the market appears to have adapted to headline-driven events, with traders buying volatility instead of selling spot. Open interest remains elevated but not extreme, and liquidity has not been strained.