Bitcoin Struggles at 90K: Can Institutions Return Before Breakout to 122K?

Bitcoin price in USD has stalled near the 90,000 mark, and the urgency is palpable. After climbing from 84,000 USD support in mid-December, BTC has bounced off the 90,000-92,000 USD resistance zone four times—a pattern that screams distribution rather than accumulation.

The real problem? Institutions have checked out. Spot ETFs bled 78.2 million USD in outflows last week, while the Coinbase Premium Index dropped to -0.08, signaling persistent selling pressure. Apparent demand turned negative at -3,491 BTC—the weakest reading since October. This isn’t just volatility; it’s a red flag that risk appetite has evaporated heading into 2026.

At current levels around $92.77K, Bitcoin remains above the 84,000 USD floor, but it’s trapped in a range. Here’s what traders are watching:

The Breakout Scenario: If BTC closes above 90,300 USD with sustained volume, it could trigger an immediate run toward 92,000 USD and beyond. A confirmed breakout through resistance could ignite a rally targeting 122,000 USD—a 31% move from current levels.

The Headwind: Without institutional inflows returning to spot ETFs, the buying pressure simply isn’t there. The market needs more than retail FOMO to push through resistance. A swing back to positive flows would be the green light everyone’s waiting for.

Technical Edge: Some analysts spotted a potential bullish divergence on the monthly chart, suggesting hidden strength beneath the surface. If that plays out, combined with a break above 90,300 USD, we could see the dormant momentum reignite.

The bitcoin price in USD is ultimately waiting for one signal: institutional conviction. Until spot ETFs show net inflows again, expect 90,000 USD to remain a stubborn ceiling. Break it with volume, and 122,000 USD comes into play.