2026-01-01 15:20:42

The first trading day of the new year, the cryptocurrency market did not bring any surprises. Bitcoin repeatedly oscillated between $87,000 and $89,000, while Ethereum struggled to hold around $3,000. This situation looks dead and dull, with the market seemingly welded into a narrow channel. Retail investors are staring at the screens, eager to smash their phones in frustration.

But there is a detail worth pondering—behind the surface dullness, funds in the AI concept sector are quietly flowing. If you understand the market charts, you can sense that the main players are secretly making moves and laying out their plans. This is no longer a game for small retail investors.

From a technical perspective, this pattern is somewhat dangerous. Last night, Bitcoin surged to $89,190, then turned around and dropped sharply, finally settling around $87,214. Ethereum's story is similar—rebounded from $3,025 but failed to hold, dropping to a low of $2,958, and now struggling around $2,980. This "rebound gets knocked down, then attempts to rally again" situation indicates a clear lack of buying momentum.

The most troublesome part is that the market has already formed a clear "lower high" structure. In other words, each rebound is weaker than the previous one, and the height of each bounce is lower. This suggests the market is shifting from an "upward testing" mode to a "downward defense" mode.

Currently, the $86,000 to $86,500 zone for Bitcoin and the $2,880 to $2,900 zone for Ethereum have become critical support levels. If these levels cannot hold, it’s time to reassess your holdings.

BTC1,53%

ETH1,79%

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BitcoinDaddy

· 6h ago

The main players are quietly positioning themselves in the AI sector, while retail investors are still struggling with that broken support level of Bitcoin. The gap is really big.

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BlockchainBrokenPromise

· 7h ago

The main players are secretly slacking off in the AI sector, while retail investors are still here watching the market and smashing their phones. The game rules are different.

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ApeWithNoChain

· 15h ago

Damn, every time there's a rebound, it gets smashed again. This rhythm is really annoying, are the big players playing us? --- The AI sector is secretly moving funds, retail investors are still staring at their screens, the disparity is huge. --- If 86500 can't hold, I need to rethink, or I'll really have to cut losses. --- Every high point is lower, the downward rhythm is becoming more and more obvious... --- Wake up, retail investors, this is no longer our game. The big players have already been laying out. --- Ethereum is stuck at 2980, feeling like it's about to break, what do you all think? --- On the first day of the new year, this is the state we're in. It's like welded into the channel, so suffocating. --- The lack of buying momentum is right, the rebound has been beaten down, what’s there to talk about rising? --- If 2880 falls, there might still be room later, gotta watch out. --- Repeated tug-of-war for a long time, but in the end, it's still defensive downward. The rhythm change is really fast.

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SmartContractRebel

· 15h ago

The main force is playing tricks again, retail investors are trapped and stuck in this narrow channel... --- Damn, it's that same "lower high" pattern again, always weak and soft, I really can't hold on anymore. --- Is the AI concept flowing? I haven't seen it, or am I just not paying attention. --- If 86000 breaks, it's really dangerous. I think this wave is unlikely to turn out well. --- Instead of staring at the screen and smashing your phone, think about how to reduce your positions. Wake up, everyone. --- Basically, no one is willing to take the other side, and every rebound gets hammered down. It's the old bear market routine.

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MercilessHalal

· 15h ago

The major players are secretly positioning themselves in the AI sector, while we retail investors are still struggling with the trend. It's really ironic.

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ZeroRushCaptain

· 15h ago

It's the same old "main force layout" rhetoric. I don't believe you. The last time you said that, I was already cut in half once.

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SchrodingerAirdrop

· 15h ago

Another year of bad luck at the start, so frustrating. The big players are all into AI now, retail investors are still here holding onto BTC that won't break? Is 86500 really the bottom? I feel like it's going to drop even more. Following the AI trend is moving too fast, by the time I react, it's already too late. This wave pattern is really weak, each rebound is worse than the last. Damn, should I consider cutting losses or continue to hold? The AI sector is quietly moving upward, while we're still bottoming out—such a huge difference. Wait, is this accumulation or is a crash really coming? Holding so much that the pressure is overwhelming, I can't sleep. Why do the big players never tell retail investors what they're doing? If this line at 2880 breaks, I swear I might just give up.

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AirdropFreedom

· 15h ago

The main force is running, retail investors are holding on stubbornly. I know this routine too well. --- Another small rebound got crushed. Is it really going to break the level this time? --- AI sector is quietly being positioned. But I only see my account shrinking. Laughing to death. --- What if 86500 breaks? Still need to cut losses, don’t want to be trapped for another half year. --- Can you read the market chart? I only understand how to lose money, haha. --- Each high point is lower. In plain words, the pace of smashing the market has sped up. Those who got in early, cry now. --- That rebound last night was the last straw before the decline. --- So, should I hold or run now? Give me a straightforward answer. --- Main force is positioning in AI. I’m losing money on my position. Everyone has their own skills. --- If 2880 really can’t hold, Ethereum will have to go back to 2700 to admit its mistake.

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