Cryptocurrencies Hold Firm on Christmas Eve as Bitcoin Trades Near $88,000 and Bullish Outlook Builds
The cryptocurrency market showed signs of stability on December 24, Christmas Eve, despite reduced trading volumes and a quieter global financial environment due to the holiday season. Major digital assets traded largely sideways, with Bitcoin (BTC) holding comfortably near the $87,000–$88,000 range, reinforcing the view among many analysts that the market is consolidating rather than reversing.
Low liquidity, a typical feature of late December trading, limited sharp price movements across the market. However, the fact that prices remained elevated is being interpreted by bullish investors as a sign of underlying strength and continued long-term confidence.
Bitcoin Remains Resilient Above Key Levels
Bitcoin spent most of the session trading between $86,800 and $88,400, ending the day close to $87,500. While the daily movement was modest, BTC has maintained a strong position well above previous support zones, signaling that sellers have struggled to push prices lower even during a period of reduced participation.
From a technical perspective, many analysts point to the $85,000–$90,000 zone as a critical consolidation range. Holding above this area suggests that Bitcoin is building a base for a potential breakout once trading volumes normalize in early January.
Market participants also note that Bitcoin’s performance in late 2025 reflects broader confidence following a year marked by increased institutional adoption, growing interest in spot Bitcoin ETFs, and improved regulatory clarity in major markets.
Ethereum and Major Altcoins Follow a Similar Path
Ethereum (ETH) mirrored Bitcoin’s sideways movement, trading near $2,900–$3,000 throughout the day. ETH has benefited from steady network usage, continued development around scaling solutions, and renewed interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
Other large-cap altcoins such as Solana (SOL), BNB, and Cardano (ADA) also recorded limited intraday fluctuations. While some smaller-cap tokens experienced isolated gains, the overall market tone remained neutral to slightly positive.
The total cryptocurrency market capitalization remained largely unchanged, reinforcing the idea that investors are in a “wait-and-see” mode rather than exiting positions.
Holiday Trading and ETF Flows
One of the main factors influencing price action on December 24 was low market liquidity. With many institutional desks closed or operating with limited staff, trading volumes declined across both spot and derivatives markets.
At the same time, some Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs recorded minor outflows, likely driven by short-term portfolio adjustments ahead of the year-end rather than a shift in long-term sentiment. Analysts emphasize that these flows are common during holiday periods and do not necessarily signal bearish momentum.
Importantly, despite these outflows, prices remained stable, which many bulls view as confirmation that long-term holders continue to accumulate on dips.
Bullish Sentiment Looking Into 2026
Despite the lack of fireworks on Christmas Eve, bullish sentiment remains strong heading into 2026. Several factors support this outlook:
- Strong structural support: Bitcoin’s ability to remain above $85,000 suggests long-term investors are defending key levels.
- Institutional adoption: ETFs, corporate treasury exposure, and wealth-management products continue to expand access to crypto assets.
- Macroeconomic tailwinds: Expectations of potential interest rate cuts in 2026 could favor risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
- Post-halving dynamics: Many analysts believe Bitcoin’s most recent halving cycle has yet to fully play out, leaving room for further upside.
Some optimistic forecasts place Bitcoin targets between $110,000 and $140,000 over the next cycle, assuming favorable macro conditions and continued inflows into regulated investment vehicles.
What Comes Next for the Crypto Market?
As markets move past the holiday period, traders will closely watch early January volume, macroeconomic data from the United States, and signals from central banks. Historically, renewed liquidity at the start of the year has often brought increased volatility to crypto markets.
If Bitcoin can decisively break above the $90,000 resistance zone, it could trigger renewed momentum across the broader market. Conversely, even a short-term pullback toward $85,000 is seen by many bulls as a potential buying opportunity rather than a trend reversal.
Conclusion
The cryptocurrency market’s performance on December 24 was less about dramatic price action and more about confirmation of strength. Bitcoin near $88,000 and Ethereum holding close to $3,000 suggest that investors remain confident despite thin holiday trading.
As 2025 comes to a close, the prevailing narrative is one of consolidation, not exhaustion. For many market participants, Christmas Eve marked a calm pause before what they believe could be another bullish phase for cryptocurrencies in 2026.
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