Bitcoin Price Drops to $81,000: Is the $100K February Dream Dead?

Bitcoin’s price dropped to $81,000 on January 30, 2026, marking a sharp reversal from recent gains above $89,000. The decline came amid renewed macroeconomic uncertainty and rising leveraged short positions in crypto derivatives.

The drop pushed Bitcoin below critical support levels and triggered $1.75 billion in liquidations across 274,910 traders, with long positions accounting for $1.64 billion of the losses.

Gold climbed to $5,223 per ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets amid heightened volatility. Meanwhile, Ethereum network fees and layer-2 transaction volumes rose, hinting at potential recovery despite ongoing bearish pressure on BTC.

Why Did Bitcoin Drop Below $82,000?

Bitcoin’s decline accelerated after ETF outflows reversed on January 26, with US spot Bitcoin ETFs posting $6.84 million in inflows, the first positive flows in five days. The inflows were not enough to reverse broader bearish sentiment, however, as macroeconomic factors—including US fiscal uncertainty and the upcoming Federal Reserve decision— remained influential.

The price action followed a breakdown below key support levels, with the $80,600 mark now in focus. If BTC dips further, it may test the $75,887 level based on Fibonacci extensions.

How Is the Broader Market Reacting?

Ethereum showed resilience amid the BTC sell-off. Weekly DEX volumes on Ethereum hit $26.8 billion, driven by a 128 million surge in layer-2 transactions. This reflects renewed interest in Ethereum-based decentralized finance (DeFi) activity.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin mining stocks surged on the NYSE as miners diversified into AI and HPC hosting. Companies like IREN and Cipher Mining rose more than 13%, reflecting investor interest in infrastructure plays.

Gold and other safe-haven assets saw increased inflows as the U.S. dollar weakened. The greenback fell following remarks from President Trump, who downplayed concerns about its decline.

What Are Analysts Watching for Next?

Analysts at QCP and CryptoQuant highlighted the likelihood of further short-term volatility. Elevated open interest on exchanges like Binance signals leveraged positions remain active, even as selling pressure continues.

Bitcoin miners like Bitzero Holdings reported increased operational efficiency, with Bitcoin mined per EH/s rising to 12.37. This data could become a critical indicator for future hash rate expansion and energy cost efficiency.

Investors are also monitoring Ethereum’s ability to sustain price recovery. Metrics like rising transaction volume and fee rates may point to renewed adoption and capital inflows.

Bitcoin’s potential to rebound to $100,000 hinges on several factors, including macroeconomic stability, ETF inflow continuity, and whether institutional buyers re-enter the market.