Bitcoin (BTC) is showing early signs of a potential breakout near $88,000, as technical setups and growing institutional ETF momentum hint at a cautiously bullish start to 2026.
After a challenging end to 2025, Bitcoin is drawing renewed attention from both traders and long-term investors. The combination of an emerging Adam and Eve double bottom pattern, spot ETF inflows, and key support levels could provide momentum toward the $90K mark, though confirmation and volume remain critical before any decisive move.
Bitcoin Starts 2026 With Optimism
Bitcoin opened the new year with cautious optimism, trading around $87,764 after a late-2025 decline. Analysts are highlighting factors that could contribute to a short-term rally, including institutional ETF inflows and recognizable chart patterns suggesting bullish potential.
Bitcoin starts 2026 with optimism, eyeing a potential $90K test as new investment opportunities open. Source: @CryptoMichNL via X
Michaël van de Poppe, a macro-focused crypto analyst known for BTC market structure insights on X, “New year, new chances. Let’s see how #Bitcoin will behave from here. Given expanding access for investment in $BTC, a test of $90K seems likely in the coming week.”
BTC is testing the lower edge of its 2025 macro range. Volume levels remain slightly below average, which means any breakout will need strong follow-through to validate the bullish scenario. Without sufficient buying pressure, the price could continue consolidating around the $87K–$88K zone.
Adam and Eve Pattern Signals Potential Surge
Technical charts suggest a potential Adam and Eve double bottom forming on the 4-hour BTC chart. Trader TedPillows, a crypto trader with multiple cycles of experience, expects a surge toward $103K–$105K if Bitcoin closes above the $94K resistance level.
BTC Adam and Eve pattern emerges, eyeing a potential $103K–$105K surge if $94K resistance is broken. Source: @TedPillows via X
The pattern shows a sharp V-shaped dip (“Adam”) in mid-December 2025, followed by a smoother U-shaped recovery (“Eve”) into early January 2026. Historically, Adam and Eve formations have signaled reversals, but confirmation only occurs after a decisive close above resistance with rising volume. In previous instances (e.g., Q4 2023), false breakouts were common during low-volume holiday periods, which underscores the need for caution.
Key Support and Resistance Levels
TradingView analyst Herotraderfx highlighted that BTC is navigating its macro range, defined by 2025 highs and lows. A pullback into the Fair Value Gap (FVG) could offer a healthy corrective opportunity. From an analytical perspective, this retracement is consistent with previous liquidity imbalances and provides a potential low-risk entry zone for cautious buyers.
Bitcoin retraces into its Fair Value Gap, maintaining a bullish bias with potential upside toward new all-time highs of $130K–$140K. Source: Herotraderfx via X
“As long as price holds above the macro low, Bitcoin remains in a bullish setup,” the analyst noted, pointing to possible long-term expansion toward $130K–$140K.
Traders should observe the following levels:
Support: $80K–$86K, which serves as a potential “final stop” before any upward move.
Resistance: $90K–$94K, where strong buying pressure is required to confirm a breakout.
Final Thoughts
Bitcoin enters 2026 with cautious optimism, supported by institutional ETFs and technical setups such as the Adam and Eve pattern. Current consolidation near $87K–$88K and support at $80K–$86K suggest a potential path toward $90K, but confirmation on strong volume is crucial.
Bitcoin was trading at around 87,764, down 1.17% in the last 24 hours at press time. Source: Bitcoin price via Brave New Coin
While upside targets remain appealing, BTC traders and investors should remain mindful of risks. A failure to hold support or low participation in volume could delay any breakout, and potential resistance near $94K will be decisive. Overall, Bitcoin’s outlook is cautiously bullish, with technical indicators and institutional momentum providing a conditional framework for early-year gains.