Bitcoin Reclaims $90K as U.S. Buying Returns – Has the Tax-Drag Finally Ended?

Group 1 - Bitcoin has broken the psychological barrier of $90,000, trading at $90,742 with a 3.2% increase, marking a reversal from the selling pressure observed during U.S. trading hours in Q4 2025 [1] - The end of tax-loss harvesting, which had driven Bitcoin down by 23% in Q4, is reflected in the recent price action [1] - Buying volume increased significantly at 09:30 ET, contrasting with the previous sell-off pattern, and futures open interest rose by 2.16% to $130 billion, indicating renewed appetite for leverage [2] Group 2 - MicroStrategy is believed to have established a local price floor by purchasing 1,229 BTC at an average price of $88,568, which helped defend the price range ahead of the New Year [3] - Miners, such as Hut 8, are outperforming the spot market, with Hut 8's stock rallying nearly 15% to $50.73 [3] - The crypto market is starting 2026 positively, driven by renewed institutional interest, clearer regulations, and faster ETF approvals, which have boosted confidence, particularly in Bitcoin and Ethereum [4] Group 3 - Prediction markets remain cautious despite the recent rally, with only 26% odds assigned to Bitcoin exceeding $150,000 in 2026, indicating a preference for a consolidation year [5] - Immediate resistance for Bitcoin is identified at the Q4 2025 breakdown level of $92,500 [5] - The recent price action suggests that the "tax drag" is no longer a factor, and if U.S. institutions are indeed risk-on, a rotation into high-beta altcoins and miner equities is expected to outpace spot Bitcoin in the short term [6]