Markets Share Share this article Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail Bitcoin risks fourth straight monthly loss, Markets Share Share this article Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail Bitcoin risks fourth straight monthly loss,

Bitcoin risks fourth straight monthly loss, a streak not seen since 2018

Share
Share this article
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail

Bitcoin risks fourth straight monthly loss, a streak not seen since 2018

A rare streak of four consecutive declines collides with January options expiry that could influence short term price action.

By James Van Straten|Edited by Oliver Knight
Jan 26, 2026, 11:39 a.m.
Make us preferred on Google
Red traffic signal. (GoranH/Pixabay)

What to know:

  • Bitcoin is hovering near $87,000 and is on track for a fourth consecutive negative monthly close, a pattern not seen since 2018.
  • Jan. 30 options expiry on Deribit totals about $8.5 billion in notional value, with heavy interest in $100,000 calls and a max pain level near $90,000.

Bitcoin is on course for a fourth consecutive monthly decline, a rare stretch not seen since 2018 to 2019, when the market recorded six straight red months. There is still one full trading week left in January, but bitcoin is slightly down on the month, hovering around $87,000.

The asset posted negative monthly closes in October, November, and December, marking a sharp correction from its October all time high. From peak to trough, bitcoin has declined roughly 36% over that period.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
Sign me up

Notably, even the 2022 bear market, when bitcoin collapsed from $69,000 to $15,000 amid quantitative tightening and crypto specific industry failures, it did not produce more than three consecutive negative months. That historical comparison highlights how unusual the current streak would be if January also closes lower.

Short term optimism

Despite the weakness in spot prices, derivatives markets suggest some tentative optimism. According to Deribit data, options positioning points to modest upside interest into month end.

Bitcoin faces an options expiry on Jan. 30, with total open interest set to expire at roughly $8.5 billion on Deribit. The $100,000 call option holds the highest notional value, close to $900 million, indicating that a meaningful cohort of traders are positioned for a rebound at the six figure level. The max pain price for this expiry sits near $90,000. Max pain refers to the price level at which the largest number of options contracts expire worthless, which can create a gravitational pull toward that level as expiration approaches.

Bitcoin NewsDeribitOptions

More For You

KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.

What to know:

  • KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
  • This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
  • Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
  • Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
  • Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
View Full Report

More For You

Bitcoin hash rate slides during U.S. winter storm while markets shrug off mining disruption

The temporary loss of mining power underscores academic concerns that geographic and pool concentration can magnify infrastructure failures, though markets showed little immediate reaction.

What to know:

  • Bitcoin’s hashrate fell about 10 percent during a U.S. winter storm, underscoring how local power disruptions can strain the network’s capacity to process transactions.
  • Researchers have shown that concentrated mining, as seen in a 2021 regional outage in China, can lead to slower block times, higher fees and broader market disruptions.
  • With a few large pools now controlling most of Bitcoin’s hashrate, the network is increasingly vulnerable to localized infrastructure failures, even as the price of BTC remains largely unaffected in the short term.
Read full story
Latest Crypto News

Bitcoin hash rate slides during U.S. winter storm while markets shrug off mining disruption

Bitcoin rebounds from one-month low while derivatives flash near-term stress: Crypto Markets Today

Japan ETFs said likely to trade by 2028 as SBI, Nomura ready products

Bitcoin income windfall drives Metaplanet to revise full-year revenue forecast upward

Key bitcoin price levels to watch as downward pressure builds

Ark Invest bought $21.5 million of crypto company shares as bitcoin fell under $90,000

Top Stories

Gold tops $5,000 as bitcoin stalls near $87,000 in widening macro-crypto split: Asia Morning Briefing

The big U.S. crypto bill is on the move. Here is what it means for everyday users

How the ultra-wealthy are using bitcoin to fund their yacht upgrades and Cannes trips

Here's what Fed's highly anticipated rate decision this week means for bitcoin and the dollar

Here's what bitcoin bulls are saying as price remains stuck during global rally

Coinbase CEO says big banks now view crypto as an ‘existential’ threat to their business

Latest Crypto News

Bitcoin hash rate slides during U.S. winter storm while markets shrug off mining disruption

Bitcoin rebounds from one-month low while derivatives flash near-term stress: Crypto Markets Today

Japan ETFs said likely to trade by 2028 as SBI, Nomura ready products

Bitcoin income windfall drives Metaplanet to revise full-year revenue forecast upward

Key bitcoin price levels to watch as downward pressure builds

Ark Invest bought $21.5 million of crypto company shares as bitcoin fell under $90,000

Top Stories

Gold tops $5,000 as bitcoin stalls near $87,000 in widening macro-crypto split: Asia Morning Briefing

The big U.S. crypto bill is on the move. Here is what it means for everyday users

How the ultra-wealthy are using bitcoin to fund their yacht upgrades and Cannes trips

Here's what Fed's highly anticipated rate decision this week means for bitcoin and the dollar

Here's what bitcoin bulls are saying as price remains stuck during global rally

Coinbase CEO says big banks now view crypto as an ‘existential’ threat to their business

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact [email protected] for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny

Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny

The post Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The cryptocurrency world is buzzing with a recent controversy surrounding a bold OpenVPP partnership claim. This week, OpenVPP (OVPP) announced what it presented as a significant collaboration with the U.S. government in the innovative field of energy tokenization. However, this claim quickly drew the sharp eye of on-chain analyst ZachXBT, who highlighted a swift and official rebuttal that has sent ripples through the digital asset community. What Sparked the OpenVPP Partnership Claim Controversy? The core of the issue revolves around OpenVPP’s assertion of a U.S. government partnership. This kind of collaboration would typically be a monumental endorsement for any private cryptocurrency project, especially given the current regulatory climate. Such a partnership could signify a new era of mainstream adoption and legitimacy for energy tokenization initiatives. OpenVPP initially claimed cooperation with the U.S. government. This alleged partnership was said to be in the domain of energy tokenization. The announcement generated considerable interest and discussion online. ZachXBT, known for his diligent on-chain investigations, was quick to flag the development. He brought attention to the fact that U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Hester Peirce had directly addressed the OpenVPP partnership claim. Her response, delivered within hours, was unequivocal and starkly contradicted OpenVPP’s narrative. How Did Regulatory Authorities Respond to the OpenVPP Partnership Claim? Commissioner Hester Peirce’s statement was a crucial turning point in this unfolding story. She clearly stated that the SEC, as an agency, does not engage in partnerships with private cryptocurrency projects. This response effectively dismantled the credibility of OpenVPP’s initial announcement regarding their supposed government collaboration. Peirce’s swift clarification underscores a fundamental principle of regulatory bodies: maintaining impartiality and avoiding endorsements of private entities. Her statement serves as a vital reminder to the crypto community about the official stance of government agencies concerning private ventures. Moreover, ZachXBT’s analysis…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 02:13
ePIC Blockchain Technologies Reduces UMC OS Development Fee to 1.5%, Extending Institutional-Grade Optimization Across Mining Fleets

ePIC Blockchain Technologies Reduces UMC OS Development Fee to 1.5%, Extending Institutional-Grade Optimization Across Mining Fleets

TORONTO, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ePIC Blockchain Technologies (“ePIC”), a North American semiconductor and high-performance computing engineering company,
Share
AI Journal2026/01/26 22:15
PCO: Marcos schedule back on track

PCO: Marcos schedule back on track

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is now “back to normal” schedule following his brief hospitalization last week, the Presidential Communications Office
Share
Bworldonline2026/01/26 21:16