2025-12-27 02:24:58

Last night, the largest annual cryptocurrency options expiration finally took place—$28 billion. The result was unexpected: Bitcoin only dropped from 89,000 to 87,000, then entered a sideways consolidation.

Many people breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the risk was alleviated. But this calm itself is the most warning sign.

Historically, such large-scale options expirations usually lead to significant market volatility. This unusual calm may instead conceal a greater power struggle—institutions are brewing their next move. The apparent stability is often the calm before the storm.

The $87,000 price range is currently the most debated. On one hand, many analysts see it as a strong support level; but from another perspective, the dense stop-loss orders and short positions here are also accumulating. Once this level is broken, it could trigger a chain reaction of liquidations. Holding firm might just be the last shakeout before the next upward wave.

The current sideways market is the easiest to make people complacent. It’s this “nothing big happening” feeling that causes traders to either lose patience and chase the rally or panic-sell out of fear. At this juncture, a sudden directional move can determine whether you’re on the mountain top or falling into the valley.

The trend of ETH and other mainstream coins is also in this stalemate. The shrinking market volume and diverging sentiment point to one fact: the true direction decision has not yet arrived.

For traders, the biggest test now is mental resilience and patience. Losses in a bull market often aren’t due to poor market conditions but because traders, driven by greed when they should stay rational, or relax their vigilance when they should be cautious. The key is to find your own rhythm—wait for confirmed opportunities, then act decisively, and don’t be swayed by short-term fluctuations.

This is not just a technical game; it’s also a psychological battle. Mastering risk management and sticking to your trading plan are essential to survive longer in this stalemate market.

BTC-0,24%

ETH-0,14%

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MemeCoinSavant

· 15h ago

ngl the $28B options expiry doing basically nothing is lowkey the most bearish signal ever... or is it? according to my peer-reviewed analysis of market microstructure, this calm literally screams "institutional accumulation phase"

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SchrodingerAirdrop

· 12-27 02:55

Is $28 billion worth of options just like this? Feels like institutions are holding back a big move, and Jingjing feels a bit eerie. --- Sideways trading is the easiest to cause trouble. I'm currently betting whether 8.7 can hold, feels like it's about to break. --- This is the toughest test of willpower. I've already seen several waves washed out, really frustrating. --- So should I buy the dip now or keep waiting? Can't I get a clear signal? --- The metaphor of "calm before the storm" is perfect, but who knows if the calm will lead to a rise or fall afterward, haha. --- Decreasing trading volume and emotional divergence. I feel like Bitcoin is choosing a direction. How long can it hold back? --- Psychological warfare is the hardest. Watching others chase the rally makes me itchy, but I know it's a trap. --- Is the 87,000 position truly heaven or hell? It all depends on the institution’s mood. --- Not swayed by short-term fluctuations. Easy to say, hard to do. Who can truly achieve it?

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FreeMinter

· 12-27 02:53

Is this the calm before the storm? I knew this strange sense of calm was suspicious. Did the 28 billion options just pass by like that? Are the institutions holding a big move?

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BearMarketSurvivor

· 12-27 02:53

Staying flat for so long, honestly, I'm a bit anxious. --- 280 billion poured in and the price just dropped 2000 points, there must be something behind it. --- Can't hold 87,000 really means it's over. --- Starting to advise on mindset again, I just want to know if I can make money. --- The calm before the storm, I've heard this a hundred times. When will it really come? --- Shrinking trading volume is the most annoying, it's so dull. --- That's right, last time I got caught by greed and sold, this time I won't fall for it. --- Are institutions brewing something? Then what are we retail investors waiting for? --- I hate this feeling of waiting the most, hope for a quick breakout. --- Can winning the psychological battle help you eat? Or does it all depend on the right direction.

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All-InQueen

· 12-27 02:38

It's a bit eerie how calm it is, only 28 billion? Feels like nothing real has been shaken out. --- Here we go again with talk about psychological resilience. Sounds nice, but really it's just telling us to hold steady and wait, lol. --- The 87,000 level is a bit tricky; can't go up, and afraid to go down. Right now, it's just gambling on the institutions' temper. --- Consolidation is the most torturous. What happened to those who said "nothing major"? Haha. --- Everyone says wait for the opportunity, but do you dare to take it when it comes? That's the real question. --- Are institutions brewing something? Or are retail investors just comforting themselves? Anyway, I can't hold on anymore. --- That risk management routine is a bit cliché, but it really doesn't kill anyone. Thinking about it, it's quite worth it. --- This analysis does have a bit of that vibe, just not sure if the next move is to continue the knife or if a rebound is really coming.

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CryptoWageSlave

· 12-27 02:37

280 billion comes and it's so calm, it's really damn eerie... Feels like a heavy rain is really coming.

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MechanicalMartel

· 12-27 02:37

28 billion didn't even get invested, and instead it's stagnating... that's the most terrifying part.

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gas_guzzler

· 12-27 02:31

$28 billion options, is that all? Feels like institutions are holding back a big move. I believe in this strange calm. Consolidation is the most torturous, really. Watching the 87,000 level, wondering if the next second will be heaven or hell. Honestly, the hardest part now isn't watching the market, but controlling my hands and not making reckless moves. Friends are all chasing gains and cutting losses, but I prefer to wait patiently for the opportunity. Will 87,000 break or not? That’s the real bet today. There is definitely a pre-storm feeling. Stock up and wait for it.

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