Marketdash
Back to News

Bitcoin Bounces Back to $88K as Crypto Markets Find Their Footing Before the Weekend

MarketDash Editorial Team
4 hours ago
Bitcoin climbed back to $88,000 on Friday as falling volatility gave risk assets a lift, though analysts warn the leading cryptocurrency may stay range-bound until options expiry clears next week.

Bitcoin (BTC) climbed back to $88,000 on Friday, getting a boost as markets adjusted to calmer conditions after a period of heightened volatility. The rebound lifted other major cryptocurrencies along with it, offering a bit of relief heading into the weekend.

Here's where major cryptocurrencies stood:

Market Snapshot:

The past 24 hours saw significant turbulence beneath the surface. According to Coinglass data, 121,778 traders were liquidated for a combined $408.07 million. Meanwhile, the day's top gainers included Zcash, UNUS SED LEO, and Bitcoin Cash.

Recent Developments Worth Watching:

  • Binance Founder Says Crypto Payments Are A 'Problem' As Reddit Post Exposes How USDC Transfers Reveal Entire Wallet Histories
  • Senate Confirms Trump's Crypto-Friendly Nominees Mike Selig And Travis Hil To Lead CFTC, FDIC
  • Coinbase Warns Of 'Immediate And Irreparable' Harm As It Sues Three US States Over Prediction Market Regulation
  • XRP Below $2 Is An Opportunity, But It Better Not Follow This Cardano Pattern, Trader Warns
  • Bitcoin To Hit $1.4 Million By 2035 Due To Three-Pillar 'Asymmetric Risk Profile'

What Traders Are Saying:

CoinDesk senior analyst James Van Straten expects Bitcoin to stay range-bound between $85,000 and $90,000 until options expiry, pointing to a potential "gamma flush." Roughly $415 million, or about 67%, of dealer gamma exposure is set to expire over the next eight days. Once that overhang clears, Van Straten said, the market could see a sharp release of upward pressure, potentially reopening a path toward $100,000.

CryptoUB outlined key weekend levels for Bitcoin, expecting continued consolidation in the near term. Moves above $88,000 offer poor risk-reward for long positions, while a reclaim of $90,000 would provide stronger confirmation. On the downside, the $85,700 level must hold to support any intraday long setups.

Lark Davis said Bitcoin's recent underperformance doesn't invalidate the broader bull thesis. Instead, he argued the shift reflects a change in market structure, with institutions now exerting greater influence and treating Bitcoin as a managed macro asset rather than a high-beta speculative trade. That dynamic, he said, tends to suppress volatility and cap upside as large players hedge and sell into strength.

The reality is that Bitcoin remains stuck in a transitional phase, moving from a speculative asset toward a global monetary instrument. Such periods are often marked by choppy, range-bound price action and are typically resolved only after positioning and sentiment fully reset.

Back to News

Bitcoin Bounces Back to $88K as Crypto Markets Find Their Footing Before the Weekend

MarketDash Editorial Team
4 hours ago
Bitcoin climbed back to $88,000 on Friday as falling volatility gave risk assets a lift, though analysts warn the leading cryptocurrency may stay range-bound until options expiry clears next week.

Bitcoin (BTC) climbed back to $88,000 on Friday, getting a boost as markets adjusted to calmer conditions after a period of heightened volatility. The rebound lifted other major cryptocurrencies along with it, offering a bit of relief heading into the weekend.

Here's where major cryptocurrencies stood:

Market Snapshot:

The past 24 hours saw significant turbulence beneath the surface. According to Coinglass data, 121,778 traders were liquidated for a combined $408.07 million. Meanwhile, the day's top gainers included Zcash, UNUS SED LEO, and Bitcoin Cash.

Recent Developments Worth Watching:

  • Binance Founder Says Crypto Payments Are A 'Problem' As Reddit Post Exposes How USDC Transfers Reveal Entire Wallet Histories
  • Senate Confirms Trump's Crypto-Friendly Nominees Mike Selig And Travis Hil To Lead CFTC, FDIC
  • Coinbase Warns Of 'Immediate And Irreparable' Harm As It Sues Three US States Over Prediction Market Regulation
  • XRP Below $2 Is An Opportunity, But It Better Not Follow This Cardano Pattern, Trader Warns
  • Bitcoin To Hit $1.4 Million By 2035 Due To Three-Pillar 'Asymmetric Risk Profile'

What Traders Are Saying:

CoinDesk senior analyst James Van Straten expects Bitcoin to stay range-bound between $85,000 and $90,000 until options expiry, pointing to a potential "gamma flush." Roughly $415 million, or about 67%, of dealer gamma exposure is set to expire over the next eight days. Once that overhang clears, Van Straten said, the market could see a sharp release of upward pressure, potentially reopening a path toward $100,000.

CryptoUB outlined key weekend levels for Bitcoin, expecting continued consolidation in the near term. Moves above $88,000 offer poor risk-reward for long positions, while a reclaim of $90,000 would provide stronger confirmation. On the downside, the $85,700 level must hold to support any intraday long setups.

Lark Davis said Bitcoin's recent underperformance doesn't invalidate the broader bull thesis. Instead, he argued the shift reflects a change in market structure, with institutions now exerting greater influence and treating Bitcoin as a managed macro asset rather than a high-beta speculative trade. That dynamic, he said, tends to suppress volatility and cap upside as large players hedge and sell into strength.

The reality is that Bitcoin remains stuck in a transitional phase, moving from a speculative asset toward a global monetary instrument. Such periods are often marked by choppy, range-bound price action and are typically resolved only after positioning and sentiment fully reset.