TLDR:
- Bitcoin trades at $90K midpoint of a multi-year rising channel, requiring a $91K weekly close for continuation.
- The $91K level has served as a trend anchor previously, lost and reclaimed as recently as last month.
- Price action within the rising channel maintains a bullish structure despite short-term volatility pressures.
- A sustained break below channel boundaries would signal trend damage and a potential reversal of the uptrend.
Bitcoin trades near $90,000, positioned at the midpoint of its multi-year rising channel as market participants watch the critical $91,000 threshold.
The leading cryptocurrency faces a pivotal moment where weekly closes above this level could determine trend continuation amid persistent volatility.
Weekly Close Above $91,000 Remains Critical for Trend Continuation
The $91,000 price point has emerged as a trend anchor for Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory. Market observers note this level has been lost and reclaimed multiple times, most recently during December.
Price action within the established rising channel suggests the higher-timeframe structure maintains bullish characteristics despite short-term fluctuations.
According to the analysis shared by Milk Road, the current positioning is less about identifying exact tops or bottoms.
Bitcoin is sitting around $90k, right in the middle of its multi-year rising channel.
For the uptrend to stay intact, $BTC needs to close the week back above $91k. That level has acted as the trend anchor before, it’s been lost and reclaimed as recently as last month.
As long… pic.twitter.com/uNdgnXYWCS
— Milk Road (@MilkRoad) January 21, 2026
Instead, the focus centers on whether Bitcoin can preserve its long-term upward momentum. The rising channel has provided reliable support and resistance zones throughout the current market cycle.
A sustained break below the channel would indicate structural damage to the prevailing trend. Conversely, weekly closes above $91,000 would reinforce the path of least resistance toward higher prices.
Technical analysts emphasize that maintaining a position within the channel boundaries remains essential for trend validation.
Whale Accumulation Persists Through Retail Capitulation Phase
Large Bitcoin holders have displayed consistent accumulation patterns since January despite market corrections.
This buying pressure has continued even as retail investors have reduced their positions and exited the market. The divergence between whale behavior and retail sentiment has become increasingly pronounced during recent months.
Whale holdings have expanded every month, without decline, even during periods of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
Source: CryptoQuant
This pattern suggests the current market phase represents structural accumulation rather than distribution. Data indicates large holders have maintained conviction even as external risk factors intensified.
The contrast between whale accumulation and retail exits points to a classic market dynamic where experienced participants buy during periods of uncertainty.
While shorter-term volatility has triggered selling from smaller holders, institutional and high-net-worth investors have continued building positions.
This accumulation trend has remained intact regardless of temporary price weakness or macroeconomic headwinds.
Market structure reveals whale conviction has withstood recent turbulence without wavering. The ongoing accumulation by large holders provides support even as trading ranges compress and volatility persists.
This behavior typically precedes longer-term trend development as supply consolidates into stronger hands before subsequent price expansion phases unfold.
