Bitcoin is trading at $88,787 on Dec. 21, 2025, and has been moving in a very narrow 24‑hour range. Trading volume stands at $18.29 billion, which suggests market participants are not committing strongly to a direction right now. The price is coiling between $86,000 and $90,000, with technical indicators pointing to indecision rather than a clear trend.
Current Bitcoin Price and Market Overview
The daily picture shows bitcoin attempting to stabilize after a sharp fall, now forming higher lows while staying inside the $86k–$90k band. The 24‑hour price range is tight and trading volume of $18.29 billion underlines the lack of conviction among traders. A notable liquidation candle that pushed price from $90,317 to $84,398 on Dec. 18 is still shaping market psychology as participants test whether the recent rebound holds.
Technical Analysis: Charts and Indicators
On the daily chart, the relative strength index (RSI) sits at 46 and the MACD reads −1,561, both signaling more indecision than momentum. Short‑term moving averages such as the 10‑period EMA and SMA are providing some support, while longer averages remain above the current price and act as layered resistance. For additional detail on nearby resistance dynamics see resistance $87K.
Zooming to the 4‑hour view, the market shows a structured recovery with higher highs and higher lows since the Dec. 18 liquidation candle, but the rebound is not confirmed by strong volume. Hourly action is tightly rangebound around $88,000–$89,000 and oscillators are subdued, which means breakouts require clear participation to be trustworthy.
Key Support and Resistance Levels
Key technical landmarks are straightforward: support sits near $86,000 while resistance is clustered at $90,000. Volume is the critical factor — without a pickup in trading activity a move above the $90,000 ceiling is unlikely to sustain. For more on how technical hurdles are limiting upside, see this piece on technical obstacles.
Bullish and Bearish Scenarios
Bullish case
The bullish scenario requires a close above $90,000 accompanied by a clear rise in volume. Higher lows across timeframes and short‑term moving averages supporting price would strengthen the case for a renewed upward leg, provided market participation confirms the breakout.
Bearish case
If bitcoin fails to clear $90,000 and instead falls below $85,000 on increasing volume, the recovery could be called into question and open the path toward lower levels. A decisive move beneath $84,000 would further undermine the current rebound narrative and increase downside risk.
Why this matters
If you run mining equipment in Russia with between one and a thousand devices, this consolidation matters because it affects how quickly you can turn mined coins into cash without moving the market. Tight ranges and low volume mean larger sell orders can move price more than usual, which increases execution risk when you convert revenues or rebalance holdings. Even when price action is sideways, tracking support at $86K and resistance at $90K helps you plan exits and reserve levels for running costs.
What to do?
Keep mining operations running to capture block rewards, but avoid large on‑chain sales during low‑volume ranges unless you use limit orders to control price impact. If you need liquidity, consider selling in smaller tranches around support levels rather than in a single block that could push price lower. Maintain a simple plan: set clear price levels for partial sales, track volume, and wait for a confirmed breakout above $90,000 before committing to larger disposals.
Trading Recommendations and FAQ
Given mixed technicals and low volume, the prudent approach for traders is patience and confirmation-based entries. Short‑term momentum is weak, so waiting for a volumetric confirmation of a breakout or a clear breakdown is preferable to taking large directional bets. Use tight risk management and avoid overleveraging in this environment.
- What is bitcoin’s price today? Bitcoin is trading at $88,787 as of December 21, 2025.
- Can bitcoin rise above $90,000? A sustainable move above $90,000 depends on strong volume confirmation.
- Where are the key support and resistance levels? Support is near $86,000, with resistance at $90,000.
- Is now a good time to trade bitcoin? Current technicals suggest waiting for clearer trend confirmation before taking large directional positions.
For additional context on market expectations and related debate, see prediction markets and the technical outlook pieces linked above.