Bitcoin Dips Below $87K as Macroeconomic Caution Freezes Crypto Market
The week of January 19-26, 2026, concludes on a cautious note for crypto markets. BTC is trading at $86,548, down 3.2% over seven days, while ETH follows a similar trend at $2,814, shedding 4.1% during the period. Trading volumes are down 15% compared to the previous week, indicating subdued speculative activity. Analysis: The Weight of Macroeconomic Uncertainties. Several factors explain this pullback. Firstly, U.S. inflation data released on Wednesday surprised to the upside (CPI index at 3.4% year-over-year, against an expected 3.2%). This statistic reignited fears of the Federal Reserve maintaining high interest rates for longer, penalizing risky assets like cryptocurrencies. Secondly, the U.S. dollar reached a six-month high against a basket of currencies, intensifying pressure on BTC and ETH prices, which are traditionally negatively correlated with the greenback. Finally, the absence of positive catalysts – such as favorable regulatory announcements or major institutional adoptions – leaves the market without clear direction. Net flows into spot Bitcoin ETFs remained negative this week (-$120 million), confirming temporary investor disinterest. Outlook: A Calm Before the Storm? In the short term, technical levels suggest…
