Bitcoin Enters 'strength' Phase, But $100k Debate Heats Up Between... (2026)

Bitcoin’s structure has turned bullish, yet traders are split on whether $100,000 could mark a bull expansion or bear continuation.

Bitcoin (BTC) is attempting to transition into a phase of “strength” after weeks of range-trading between $90,000 and $86,000. While the technical structure has improved, BTC traders debate whether the move has momentum or risks of becoming a bull trap.

A Bitcoin indicator flipped firmly bullish as BTC reclaimed a position above $90,000.

Momentum and channel positioning favor continuation, but near-term overbought risks remain elevated.

Onchain accumulation continues to absorb supply, while traders disagree on whether $100,000 marks expansion or exhaustion.

According to Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr, BTC’s structure shift indicator, a composite of channel position, moving-average trend, and directional movement, has decisively reversed. In late December, the signal remained below -0.3, aligning with downside pressure.

It changed on Jan. 2, when the indicator crossed above 0 and accelerated to +0.73 by Jan. 4. During the same period, BTC climbed from roughly $87,500 to $91,400, confirming a transition toward a positive regime.

The indicator moving above +0.5 historically corresponds with an uptrend. The key test now is whether the indicator can hold above 0 while the price challenges resistance at $96,000. A failure back below zero would raise the risk of a false breakout or a bull trap.

Related: Can BTC avoid bull trap at $93K? 5 things to know in Bitcoin this week

Likewise, momentum and onchain channel positioning reinforce this view. Momentum has stabilized in the 0.85–0.89 range, indicating returns are running well above the three-month average of 0.5, without reaching extreme levels.

Source: CoinTelegraph