Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC Defends $88K While Institutions Load Up – Is the Next Leg Forming?

Bitcoin is trading near $88,600, up about 1.2% on the day, as markets absorb a fresh wave of institutional and regulatory developments that reinforce long-term conviction despite ongoing volatility.

With a market capitalization of $1.77 trillion and nearly 19.98 million BTC already in circulation, recent price action points to stabilization rather than stress following last week’s pullback from the $95,000 area.

Metaplanet Raises Outlook Despite $680M BTC Write-Down

Japan-based Bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet raised its revenue and operating profit outlook for 2025 and 2026, even after booking a $680–$700 million non-cash Bitcoin impairment tied to year-end pricing. Management stressed the write-down has no impact on cash flow, operations, or its treasury strategy.

The company now expects $58 million in revenue and $40 million in operating profit for 2025, driven primarily by its Bitcoin income generation unit. By year-end, Metaplanet’s BTC holdings surged from 1,762 BTC in 2024 to 35,102 BTC, translating into a 568% year-over-year increase in BTC yield per diluted share.

🚨METAPLANET REPORTS $680M UNREALIZED LOSSES ON BTC HOLDINGS IN 2025

The firm expects an ordinary loss of $640M, a net loss of $498M, and a $351M shareholder loss, with final figures due Feb. 16.

Metaplanet said short-term volatility is expected, but its long-term Bitcoin… pic.twitter.com/LlhdM9mhtC

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) January 26, 2026

For 2026, the firm projects $103 million in revenue and $73 million in operating profit, reinforcing the view that Bitcoin-linked business models are maturing beyond speculation.

SEC and CFTC Reschedule Joint Crypto Harmonization Event, Boosting US Leadership Narrative

In parallel, the SEC and CFTC confirmed a rescheduled joint crypto harmonization event for January 29, focused on aligning oversight frameworks and reducing regulatory fragmentation. The session, hosted in Washington, will feature leadership from both agencies and reflects a broader push to position the US as a global hub for digital assets.

JUST IN: The SEC and CFTC's "Project Crypto" event is now scheduled for this Thursday.

This event is to discuss "their efforts to deliver on President Trump’s promise to make the United States the crypto capital of the world." 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NswfU39aOC

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) January 26, 2026

Clearer coordination between regulators is widely seen as supportive for Bitcoin, particularly in attracting institutional capital that has remained cautious amid regulatory uncertainty.

Strategy Buys 2,932 Bitcoin during Market Dip Strengthening Long-Term BTC Confidence

During this week’s market sell-off, Michael Saylor’s company, Strategy, maintained its aggressive Bitcoin purchases by acquiring 2,932 BTC, or roughly $264 million. As Bitcoin briefly dropped below $87,000, the acquisition was completed at an average price of $90,061 per Bitcoin, demonstrating Strategy’s inclination to purchase during times of weakness.

Strategy’s total Bitcoin holdings increased to 712,647 BTC with its most recent acquisition, which cost about $54.19 billion at an average price of $76,037 per coin. Interestingly Strategy has already purchased around 40,100 BTC in January surpassing its total purchases from the preceding five months put together showing a significant increase in purchasing activity.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy buys 2,932 Bitcoin amid market sell-off@Strategy acquired $264 million of Bitcoin last week during the market pullback, lifting its holdings to more than 712,000 BTC, according to a Monday SEC filing.https://t.co/Yo6fS01Qpm

— Helen Partz (@coindanslecoin) January 26, 2026

A lesser sale of preferred stock and the sale of Common A shares (MSTR) provided the majority of the funding for the transaction. The company’s consistent Bitcoin accumulation supports strong institutional confidence in BTC even when Strategy’s shares fell along with the general markets.

Despite short-term volatility, significant long-term holders of Bitcoin such as Strategy are thought to be positive over the long term and supportive of prices amid pullbacks.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: $88K Base Holds as Descending Channel Nears Resolution

On the technical front, Bitcoin price prediction has started converting bullish as BTC is trading near $88,600, stabilizing after a sharp pullback from the $95,500–$96,000 area. On the 4-hour chart, price remains inside a descending channel, but the rebound from $86,200 was marked by long lower wicks, signaling demand stepping in rather than forced selling. This points to absorption near support, not a breakdown.

Price is still capped below the 50-EMA and 100-EMA near $90,500–$91,000, which remains the first recovery barrier. As long as BTC stays below this zone, short-term bias remains corrective. That said, the structure is beginning to resemble a falling wedge, a pattern that often resolves higher as selling pressure fades.

Momentum supports that shift. RSI rebounded from near 30, while price made a marginally lower low, hinting at early bullish divergence. Recent candles show smaller bodies and weaker downside follow-through, consistent with consolidation rather than trend continuation.

If Bitcoin holds above $88,000, upside opens toward $90,900 and $93,300, with a break targeting $95,500. A loss of $86,200 would delay recovery and expose $84,400, without breaking the broader structure.

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) Trade idea: Buy pullbacks near $87,500–$88,000, stop below $85,800, targets $93,000–$95,000.

Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana?

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As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again.

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