Bitcoin is Enroute to $100K But One Hurdle Stands in the Way

In Brief

• Bitcoin has begun showing renewed strength but is still facing a key technical test.
• Analysts point to the 21-day moving average as a critical hurdle before sustained upside.
• Broader market sentiment is improving alongside Bitcoin, with major altcoins pumping.

Shedrach Kongvong 2026-01-02

Bitcoin started moving higher today in what seems to be a new year pump. While this is commendable, analysts are not impressed yet because the asset must pass a critical test to confirm its upward move will be sustained towards $100,000.

According to top crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe, Bitcoin is currently testing the 21-Day moving Average (MA), which it has to break to rise quickly to $100K. The 21-Day MA which lies between $88,600 – $89,150 has been a major point of interest in the price action of Bitcoin since last year. Finally breaking it could actually bring some real succour.

I'm very, very, very excited for the upcoming days.#Bitcoin is on the fight with the 21-Day MA, and I think, once it cracks that level, things should go fast to $100K.

Even better, big #Altcoins break above that moving average in advance. pic.twitter.com/IicJjz9UgP

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) January 1, 2026

Bitcoin Building Strength

The year 2025 ended with Bitcoin in significant weakness as the momentum proved too weak to sustain any upward move. This resulted in the price being restricted within a range that has become a stronghold. Fortunately, it looks like Bitcoin is finally building strength to rise higher in this new year as some analysts predicted.

The asset has now flipped the $88,000 resistance into support, which opens the door to higher price exploration. This flip prepares Bitcoin to rise above $89,000, which also means a potential break out of the dreadful range. According to Poppe, this break will also officially open the way for a quick rise to $100k.

However, not everyone believes that breaking the range is all that is required for Bitcoin to head higher. Another analyst Ted Pillows insists that only a decisive break above $90,000 with high demand can guarantee a higher rise. He maintains that any pump before this will be invalidated and the range will be back in view.

$BTC is still trading in the same channel.

Also, there's a CME gap around the $88,000 level, which will likely get filled soon.

Until Bitcoin breaks above the $90,000 zone with strong spot demand, every pump will be retraced. pic.twitter.com/UerGErFgNB

— Ted (@TedPillows) January 2, 2026

At the time of this report, Bitcoin has broken above $89,000 but is not entirely out of the previous range, which means things can still reverse and it’s back to the old levels. However if this succeeds in breaking, Bitcoin could be finally heading higher.

Crypto Market is Picking Up

As Bitcoin is picking up steam, altcoins are also moving in a similar direction, with some like Dogecoin far outperforming the top asset. This is good news and can get better if the altcoins break out of the 21-Day MA before Bitcoin.

Such a break will probably kickstart the altcoin season as the new year begins, which is a much awaited rally that investors look forward to.