Major alternative cryptocurrencies fell on Tuesday as volumes remained thin and bitcoin Traders continue to watch the range play in the leading cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin was around $87,300, a drop of around 3% in 24 hours, while ether fell near $2,950. XRP traded around $1.86, also lower on the day, as most majors fell with no major catalysts and limited participation from US desks.
“Bitcoin’s outlook for the first quarter of 2026 leans more towards a scenario of stability and renewed accumulation than a strong growth phase at the beginning of the year,” Linh Tran, senior market analyst at XS, said in an email. “Price fluctuations may remain within a range of approximately $80,000 to $100,000.”
“Monetary policy is not yet sufficiently accommodative, ETF flows remain selective and the regulatory environment is still in a consolidation phase, all of which limits the market’s ability to quickly enter a new bull cycle,” Tran added.
For now, the price action continues to reflect a market that is struggling to attract new risks while many participants are still in preservation mode. With low volatility and uneven liquidity, even modest selling programs can push prices up through intraday support, especially during US time when tax and book clearing flows tend to be more concentrated.
The short-term signal is simple: Traders are watching to see if bitcoin can hold $80,000 into the new year, or if another slight holiday dip forces a deeper reset before liquidity and conviction return.
Asian stocks cooled after a seven-day winning streak, with several regional markets closing out the year on Tuesday. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.1% after Monday’s run capped its longest streak of gains since September. U.S. futures were little changed after the S&P 500 fell 0.3% and the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.5% overnight.
A gauge of global stocks also fell for the first time in eight sessions, although it is still on track for its best year since 2019. Gold and silver stabilized after retreating from record highs.
Copper extended its December rally, rising as much as 2.2% to $12,493 a tonne and heading for a 10th straight gain, its longest streak since 2017. A weaker dollar and renewed supply concerns have helped keep sentiment firm.
Copper futures are up more than 40% this year, putting the red metal on track for its biggest annual gain since 2009.
