On January 1, 2026, the crypto market did not deliver a “New Year’s gift” to traders. Bitcoin experienced sharp swings during the thin liquidity of the year-end period, briefly dropping from $89,000 to around $87,000, triggering a wave of leveraged liquidations. Although a technical rebound followed, trading volume noticeably contracted, and the Fear & Greed Index quickly plunged into extreme fear territory. In my view, this is not a signal of systemic risk. Rather, it serves as a preview of the trading environment in 2026: Bitcoin remains resilient, but the market lacks consensus on trend direction; volatility ... (full story)