Why Bitcoin is stuck near $87,000 and what might change after December 26?

At the end of the year, Bitcoin is stubbornly holding near $87,000. The picture appears calm, but this stability is not due to chance or news. The crypto community believes the market is squeezed due to the huge volume of options, which is literally holding the price within a tight range.

Currently, Bitcoin's movement is largely determined not by human emotions, but by the mechanics of hedging and the operation of algorithms. In this article, we will explain why everything could change on December 26th.

Key Levels in the Bitcoin Market

Currently, two key levels can be identified in the market, which effectively frame Bitcoin's movement:

Floor – Support Level

The "floor" is located around $85,000. A large volume of put options is concentrated at this level. When the price approaches this zone, dealers begin buying Bitcoin to protect their positions. As a result, declines are limited, and the market rebounds upward. This creates a support effect that prevents the price from falling below the specified level.

Ceiling – Resistance Level

The "ceiling" is located around $90,000. Call options are concentrated in this area, causing dealers to sell Bitcoin as the price rises. The upward pressure intensifies, and the upward movement slows. Thus, the $90,000 level acts as powerful resistance, keeping the market within a range.

Narrow Price Corridor

This is how a narrow price "corridor" is formed, and it feels as if the market has hit invisible walls. Under current conditions, the simple and rather cold logic of the options market operates. When the price rises, dealers are forced to sell, and when it falls, they are forced to buy. This mechanism dampens volatility and prevents the price from moving in one direction or another. The result is a neat, yet somewhat nervous, "stability" where movement seems to occur, but a breakout never occurs.

The chart shows that the options structure forces market participants to support the price from below and restrain growth from above, so Bitcoin remains squeezed between $85,000 and $90,000.

A Date That Could Change Everything

On December 26, 2025, a significant event is expected in the market that could impact the current situation. A significant number of options expire on that day, and this could lead to a sharp change in price dynamics.

Possible Scenarios

1. Upward Breakout: If the Bitcoin price is closer to the upper limit ($90,000) at option expiration, this could trigger active buying and a breakout above this level. In this case, we could see a sharp price increase, potentially leading to new highs.

2. Downward Breakout: If the price is closer to the lower limit ($85,000), this could trigger active selling and a further decline. In this case, Bitcoin could test lower levels, leading to increased market volatility.

3. Range Maintenance: The possibility that the price will remain in the current range is also not excluded. If market participants remain inactive, Bitcoin could continue to fluctuate between $85,000 and $90,000.

In Conclusion

Thus, the current Bitcoin market can be characterized as "sandwiched" between two key levels: $85,000 and $90,000. Options market mechanics and hedging play a significant role in shaping this stability. However, December 26th could be a turning point, when options expiration leads to significant changes. We will monitor developments and hope for interesting changes in Bitcoin's dynamics.