Bitcoin is closing out the year trading just below $90,000, with little urgency on either side of the market. Attempts to hold recent highs have faded, volatility is thin, and many traders are opting to wait rather than force positions into the final days of 2025.
At the same time, longer-term positioning is picking up. Bitfinex whale long positions are now at their highest levels in nearly two years, pointing to confidence beyond the current range. Combined with other signals this week, that activity is shaping how some retail investors are positioning, including a growing interest in projects outside of Bitcoin itself.
Below are five things to know in Bitcoin this week, and how they are contributing to broader discussions around alternative crypto projects as part of longer-term market assessments.
1. Bitcoin’s $90K Ceiling Holds As Year-End Liquidity Thins
Bitcoin briefly pushed above $90,000 last week before quickly slipping back. This has happened several times now. Each attempt has failed to turn that level into support, frustrating short-term traders.
The move looks less like panic selling and more like year-end positioning. Record options expiries cleared a large amount of open interest, which typically brings volatility without setting a clear direction. Liquidity remains thin, making sharp moves easier in both directions.
Key levels remain well defined:
Resistance: $94,000–$100,000
Support: $85,000 and the low $80,000s
So far, Bitcoin has stayed above major long-term support, keeping the broader structure intact.
2. Cost Basis Data Suggests Support Is Still Intact
On-chain data backs that up. Bitcoin continues to trade above the True Market Mean near $81,000, which reflects the average cost basis of active investors.
Short-term holders are still selling at a loss, about $300 million per day, but this behavior is typical late in a cycle. Importantly, long-term holders are not exiting in size.
Historically, when Bitcoin holds above these cost levels during corrections, it has marked consolidation phases rather than the start of bear markets.
3. Stocks And Metals Run While Crypto Waits
Another point worth noting is how Bitcoin compares to other assets. US equities are near record highs. Gold and silver are seeing strong moves. Crypto, by contrast, is quiet.
That divergence has raised doubts about Bitcoin’s hedge narrative. Analysts point out that BTC is currently trading more in line with liquidity conditions and macro policy expectations than with inflation fears.
Still, crypto has often lagged before catching up. The current underperformance doesn’t invalidate the long-term case; it helps explain why patience is being tested.
4. Bitfinex Whales Build Longs While Price Stays Flat
The clearest signal this week comes from Bitfinex whale positioning. Long BTC positions on the exchange are now at their highest levels since early 2024, higher than before Bitcoin’s last major rally.
These traders are known for entering during quiet, range-bound periods and reducing exposure closer to peaks. They are not trading headlines or chasing breakouts.
5. Bitcoin’s Correction Shows Signs Of Maturity
Bitcoin’s pullback from its October highs looks painful on the chart, but by historical standards, it’s modest. The roughly 40% drawdown is far less severe than similar phases in previous cycles.
Leverage has been reduced, forced selling has been limited, and long-term supply remains steady. The market is behaving more like a maturing asset than a speculative frenzy.
That context helps explain why large players are accumulating while sentiment stays cautious.
Why Some Retail Investors Are Exploring Alternative Crypto Projects
As Bitcoin matures, its role in portfolios is changing. Price swings remain sharp, but the scale of the asset means that upside tends to be more measured than in earlier cycles.
During periods of consolidation or heightened volatility, it is common for market participants to look further down the market-cap spectrum when assessing projects perceived to have clearer use cases or defined development roadmaps.
In this context, Digitap has been discussed as a platform emphasizing practical financial use, particularly in areas such as cross-border payments, rather than short-term price narratives.
The project operates a live application and uses a token model linked to platform activity. These features are often cited when discussing early-stage crypto projects.
Project Overview: Digitap ($TAP)
The $TAP token is used within the app for specific platform functions. According to the project’s design, the token is required for certain features such as cashback, fee reductions, and in-app upgrades.
The project states that total token supply is capped at 2 billion tokens. It also outlines a model in which a portion of platform revenue may be allocated to token buybacks and burns.
From a numbers standpoint:
- Current price: $0.0399
- Next stage price: $0.0411
- Total raised: ~$3.2 million
- Tokens sold: ~165 million
Earlier presale stages were priced at $0.0125.
Bitcoin Positioning and Broader Market Context
Bitcoin may continue to face resistance around $90,000 in the short term, but whale positioning suggests longer-term confidence remains intact. At the same time, some retail investors appear to look for the best cryptos to invest as part of broader portfolio considerations.
Digitap is one example of an early-stage crypto project with an active product and circulating token that has been referenced in these discussions.
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Website: https://digitap.app
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Disclaimer
Please be advised that all information, including our ratings, advice and reviews, is for educational purposes only. Crypto investing carries high risks, and CryptoNinjas is not responsible for any losses incurred. Always do your own research and determine your risk tolerance level; it will help you make informed trading decisions.
Source: https://www.cryptoninjas.net/news/bitfinex-whale-positions-and-five-bitcoin-market-signals-this-week/
