Bitcoin mining difficulty saw a ~2.6% decline early in January 2026, with further drops of around 1.88% projected ahead. This easing in difficulty is proving meaningful for the broader market—it's taking some heat off miner sell-offs that typically weigh on price action. Meanwhile, BTC has been holding its ground in the $89K-$94K band, currently hovering near $91K. The combination of lighter mining pressure and steady price support suggests some breathing room for market participants right now.