Analysts Say This Must Happen for Bitcoin to Take Out $90K Resistance

Crypto Markets Desk
January 30, 2026 – 08:45 UTC

Key Takeaways

• Break‑and‑hold above $93,000 is needed for the $90,000 barrier to turn into a new support zone.
• Spot Bitcoin ETF outflows have begun to level off, easing short‑term sell pressure.
• Institutional buying remains limited, with Michael Saylor’s Strategy being the only major corporate holder adding to its stash this week.

The Current Price Landscape

Bitcoin’s pre‑FOMC rally on Wednesday hit a ceiling at the $90,000 mark, where it has been unable to sustain upward thrust. The digital asset now oscillates in a $86,000‑$90,000 corridor that has persisted since the third week of January. Technical analysis points to the 50‑day simple moving average (SMA) at roughly $90,000 and the 100‑day SMA near $94,000 as the primary resistance cluster.

Market participants are watching the 100‑week moving average at $87,500 closely; a decisive move above the $93,000 level would recast the $90,000‑$94,000 band from a barrier to a foundation for further gains. Analyst Jelle, active on X, emphasized that a sustained breach of $93,000 would put the bulls back in charge, noting that weekly lows have already been cleared.

AlphaBTC highlighted a potential liquidity sweep around the $93,400 region, suggesting that a strategic grab of that cluster could supply the momentum needed to push the price higher. Should Bitcoin close above the 50‑day and 100‑day SMAs, models project the next resistance zone to emerge near $98,000, a level that could signal the end of the current corrective phase.

Institutional Flow Dynamics

One of the pivots that could catalyze a breakout is a revival of institutional demand. Spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) have been experiencing a prolonged outflow streak, which has weighed on price action. Recent on‑chain data from Glassnode, however, shows the 30‑day average of ETF net flows drifting back toward a neutral stance after weeks of net withdrawals. The firm interprets this as a “meaningful cooling” of sell‑side pressure but cautions that the market still relies more on the conviction of spot holders than fresh ETF inflows.

The broader institutional picture remains muted. Capriole Investments reported a sharp drop in the number of corporate treasury accounts buying Bitcoin on a daily basis. Michael Saylor’s Strategy stands out as an exception, having acquired nearly 3,000 BTC for a little over $264 million in the past week, bringing its total to 712,647 BTC—valued at roughly $54 billion at an average price of $76,037 per coin.

Analysts note that a repeat of such corporate buying, or a sustained swing of ETF flows back into positive territory, would strengthen the case for a renewed upward trend and give the $90,000 resistance a better chance of being overcome.

Outlook

While the technical chart suggests that the next decisive hurdle lies at $93,000, the market’s direction will likely be reinforced—or undermined—by the behavior of institutional investors. If ETF outflows continue to stabilize and corporate treasuries begin to accumulate again, the probability of a clean break above the 50‑day and 100‑day SMAs improves, opening the path toward the $98,000 resistance zone.

Conversely, a return of strong ETF outflows or a prolonged lack of corporate buying could keep Bitcoin trapped in its current range, forcing the price to retest lower support levels near $86,000‑$87,000.

The information presented here does not constitute investment advice. Readers are urged to conduct their own due diligence before making any trading or investment decisions.

Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-price-rejected-at-90k-again-what-will-trigger-breakout?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound