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Whether Bitcoin will end the year at a profit is hanging in the balance as we speak.
The market-leading currency has gone through a wild ride in 2025. From several new all-time highs in the first quarter to a steep correction in October, volatility has definitely been the name of the game for BTC and other digital assets this year.
In fact, this year’s developments, like Trump taking office and tariff-related trade wars, caused BTC to go from “hot” to “cold” faster than it took for Katy Perry to go to space. But while Bitcoin has seen strong upside moments, the asset is yet to recover from the biggest leverage wipeout in history, which took place on October 10.
This means that selling pressure has been the norm for almost the entirety of the fourth quarter. $BTC is currently trading at $87,271 on the Coinbase exchange, down by around 0.5% over the last 24 hours. Initially, the digital asset gained some ground at the latter hours of the CME gap, going on a 3.4% increase late Sunday.
BTC reached above $90k, but this upside momentum was immediately rejected on Monday morning.
So, back to square one, bulls now have their work cut out if they expect Bitcoin to close the year above its starting level. Despite multiple price discovery runs this year, Bitcoin is currently down 6.78% year‑to‑date.
This means that Bitcoin is only three days away from printing the third red 12-month candle in its history, if selling pressure persists through year‑end. To flip this scenario, the asset would need to end the year above the $93,552 price.
While this price jump is far from being unfeasible, Bitcoin’s recent behavior near the $90k resistance suggests that breaking above it will be harder than it seems.
Since December 14, every breakout attempt has been immediately met with a sharp reversal as bears took control.
This suggests that the $90k barrier is acting as a liquidity zone, with price action highlighting a zone that consistently triggers sell‑side orders and stop‑loss activations.
Until boves can absorb that selling pressure and maintain the price above $90K, breakout attempts will remain capped. Also, every failed breakout strengthens the bearish narrative, making that resistance even stronger.
With just three trading days left in 2025, the battle at $90k will decide whether Bitcoin salvages a green yearly candle or etches its third red close in history.
