You've likely noticed Bitcoin's recent struggles, with its price fluctuating significantly this week. The drop from over $97,000 to around $96,970 signals heightened volatility, and the decreased trading volume adds to the uncertainty. With macroeconomic factors like tariff threats and geopolitical tensions at play, it raises questions about Bitcoin's future. What should you be looking for next in this unpredictable market?

As Bitcoin faced a turbulent start to the week, its price fluctuated significantly, plummeting from over $97,000 to a low of $95,000 before finding some stability around $96,970. This volatility isn't surprising given that the price trend had already shown a decline from $101,350 to $92,935.16 just days earlier, followed by a brief rebound to $102,052.28.
During this period, you might've noticed that trading volume decreased, reflecting reduced liquidity and a cautious approach among traders. Bitcoin's trading volume decreased to $45 billion from $60 billion in January, highlighting the cautious sentiment.
Market sentiment was notably cautious. Many investors seemed to adopt a wait-and-see attitude, leading to a decline in the fear and greed index. Social media chatter and derivatives market sentiment indicators showed a split between bullish and bearish perspectives, leaving you to wonder which way the market would swing.
Trading volume surged during sharp declines and rebounds, indicating active buying support, yet institutional investors paused their purchases after a solid 12-week buying streak, signaling a more careful strategy moving forward.
From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin's relative strength index (RSI) dropped to neutral levels, hinting at a consolidation phase. The MACD's bearish crossover raised concerns, with key support resting at $90,000 and resistance nearing $100,000.
Short-term moving averages converged, suggesting a balance between buyers and sellers. You may have also observed that implied volatility surged early in the week before settling down, with funding rates trending toward neutrality, indicating a temporary equilibrium in the market.
Macroeconomic and geopolitical factors added another layer of complexity to Bitcoin's performance. Renewed tariff threats from former President Donald Trump created global market uncertainty, which trickled down to impact cryptocurrencies.
The National Bank of Poland's decision to exclude Bitcoin from its national reserves due to security concerns further dampened sentiment. Geopolitical tensions, especially surrounding Trump's plans for Gaza, escalated risk aversion, while global market turbulence—including a proposed 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico—cast a shadow over Bitcoin's performance.
In contrast, gold prices soared by 9%, highlighting a shift in investor preference amid rising uncertainty.
As the week progresses, you might want to keep an eye on these market dynamics and sentiment indicators, as they could dictate Bitcoin's direction in the near future.