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Bitcoin edged slightly higher on Monday, stabilizing near the $89,000 level after ending last week in negative territory, as broader financial markets showed signs of improving risk appetite on strong expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts in 2026.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency last traded at $89,089.92 by 02:25 ET (07:25 GMT). Despite the modest uptick, Bitcoin fell around 2% last week and has remained confined to a narrow trading range, weighed down by thin liquidity and subdued participation.
Bitcoin Struggles to Reclaim $90,000
Bitcoin has so far failed to stage a decisive breakout above the psychologically important $90,000 threshold. Traders cite cooling demand from institutional investment vehicles, particularly spot ETFs, alongside cautious positioning ahead of the year-end holiday period as key factors limiting upside momentum.
Analysts note that ETF inflows have slowed in recent sessions, reflecting mixed sentiment toward digital assets even as macro conditions turn more supportive. As a result, Bitcoin continues to trade sideways, lacking a clear catalyst to drive a sustained move higher.
Risk Assets Gain Elsewhere on Fed Cut Bets
Outside the crypto market, risk sentiment improved noticeably. Gold prices surged to fresh all-time highs on Monday, supported by strong safe-haven demand and rising confidence that the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates next year following a softer-than-expected inflation reading.
Global equity markets also advanced, with Asian stocks opening higher and U.S. equity futures pointing upward, as investors positioned for improved liquidity conditions and a potential year-end rally.
The divergence between Bitcoin and traditional risk assets highlights ongoing uncertainty around digital asset demand, even as expectations of looser monetary policy generally support speculative investments.
Hong Kong Insurers May Gain Limited Crypto Exposure
In a potentially supportive regulatory development, Bloomberg News reported that Hong Kong’s insurance regulator is proposing new rules that would allow insurers to allocate capital to a broader range of assets, including cryptocurrencies and infrastructure projects.
According to a presentation dated Dec. 4 and seen by Bloomberg, the Insurance Authority would apply a 100% risk charge on crypto assets, a move that could limit exposure but still mark a significant step toward institutional participation. Stablecoin investments would face risk charges based on the fiat currency they are pegged to.
Altcoins Trade Sideways
The broader cryptocurrency market remained largely subdued. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, rose 1.7% to $3,032.92, while XRP was little changed near $1.92.
Solana and Cardano posted modest gains, while Polygon fell 2.1%. Among meme tokens, Dogecoin and $TRUMP were broadly flat, reflecting the lack of strong directional momentum across the altcoin space.
Overall, while macro tailwinds such as rate-cut expectations continue to support sentiment, cryptocurrencies—led by Bitcoin—remain stuck in consolidation mode, awaiting clearer signals from institutional flows and broader market participation.
