Bitcoin Price Today: Altcoins Rally as Bitcoin Hits $87000: XRP, SOL and Dogecoin beat Bitcoin and Ether — Is gold and silver plunge shaking BTC today?
Analysts suggest that Bitcoin’s inactivity is due to weak liquidity over the weekend. Investors are watching the 20-day moving average closely. If Bitcoin rises above $90,000, it could quickly pave the way to $105,000. However, repeated failure to break higher could lead to a retest of the $83,000 support level.
As precious metals retreat from record highs, the broader financial landscape has witnessed a dramatic shift. Gold futures fell more than 4% to $4,340, while silver lost almost 8%. This “parabolic” move came to a halt after CME increased margin requirements for silver trading.
This commodity crash triggered a debate among investors. Some see the decline in gold and silver as a warning that liquidity is tightening. Others believe that sell-offs in traditional “safe havens” will drive capital into Bitcoin. Industrial demand remains a key factor for the metals market heading into 2026, as China began restricting silver exports in January.
Glassnode data shows that most new Bitcoin buyers are currently “underwater.” The short-term ownership cost basis stands at $99,900, well above current spot prices. This creates a potential “sell wall” around $100,000 as investors look to exit the breakeven point.
On the downside, the “true market average” provides a valuation base of $81,100. This level is historically considered a deep support zone that persists during local corrections. For long-term investors, the total cost basis for the entire offering, known as the realized price, remains much lower than $56,200.
Despite the current sideways price movement, long-term forecasts remain bullish. Financial institutions such as Standard Chartered and Bernstein have set a price target of $150,000 for Bitcoin in 2026. This forecast is supported by increasing institutional adoption through spot ETFs and global economic uncertainty. History suggests 2026 could mirror 2019, which saw a 95% gain following a bear cycle. As central banks continue to move away from the US dollar, the “digital gold” narrative for Bitcoin is being put to the ultimate test.
Bitcoin’s long-term outlook
Bitcoin’s current consolidation is typical of weekends when liquidity is low and price movements are muted. Prominent analyst Michaël van de Poppe states that repeated support tests around $86,500 could weaken this level. If buyers fail to defend this zone, Bitcoin could fall to $83,000 or even $80,000. On the upside, a recovery of $90,000 and a breach of the 20-day moving average could pave the way for a move towards $105,000.
Glassnode data shows Bitcoin trading near the active investor average of $87,700. Short-term traders are underwater and creating resistance near $99,900. While the actual market average stands at $81,100, the realized price of $56,200 reflects the long-term cost basis of the network. This suggests that Bitcoin’s sideways movement may continue until new catalysts trigger larger moves. Investors are also watching global macro factors that could influence Bitcoin’s next uptrend, including interest rate expectations and geopolitical tensions.
Which Altcoins are gaining momentum during Bitcoin consolidation?
XRP, Dogecoin and Solana have outperformed Bitcoin in the last 24 hours. XRP was up 1.1%, Solana was up 1.3%, and Dogecoin was up 1.3%, indicating increased appetite for altcoins during low-volume transactions. Analysts note that altcoins often take advantage of weekend liquidity imbalances to make short-term gains, but Bitcoin remains in a certain range.
XRP maintains steady market resistance as we approach the end of the year, trading at $1.85. While the asset is currently below the 50-day moving average of $2.07, its massive $104 billion market cap and strong support above the yearly low of $1.61 underscore its stability. The recent approval and launch of spot XRP ETFs has driven significant growth, with inflows exceeding $1.25 billion in the past two months, helping XRP outperform Bitcoin during certain year-end trading windows.
Although Dogecoin is facing a slight pullback from recent local highs, it continues to lead the memecoin sector with a valuation of $0.123. Although trading below its 50-day average of $0.144, it managed to outpace many market majors, posting a daily gain of 1.3% in weak trading. Analysts are focused on a potential break above the $0.18 resistance level, which could reignite the $17.9 billion asset’s momentum as it heads into 2026. Despite its inherent volatility, DOGE remains a top pick for retail investors and often serves as a barometer for high-risk sentiment in the broader market.
Solana remains the standout leader among high-yield blockchains, currently priced at $123.38 in the typical year-end profit-taking environment. Despite a 1.43% decline today and trading below its 50-day average of $134, the network continues to see strong institutional interest and growth in locking in the total value of decentralized finance (DeFi). Market forecasts foresee a target of $195 to $200 by the end of 2026 if the platform breaks the main resistance at $144. With a market cap of $57.5 billion, Solana’s focus on scalability and low transaction costs continues to attract interest from developers and positions it as the primary competitor to Ethereum’s dominant ecosystem.
Why are precious metals driving macro investment trends?
Precious metals remain in the spotlight as investors seek traditional hedges amid inflation concerns and concerns about long-term purchasing power. Gold is up 67% since the beginning of the year, supported by central bank purchases and a weak US dollar. Silver recorded a historic rise of approximately 150% in 2025, driven by industrial demand and supply gaps. Approximately 60% of silver is used in electronics, solar panels and electric vehicles, making silver highly susceptible to market disruptions.
Recent price fluctuations suggest investors are remaining cautious after parabolic gains. Gold futures are down more than 4 percent from peaks near $4,340 and silver is down nearly 8 percent after touching $80 an ounce. Margin requirement increases and export restrictions from China increase volatility. Experts warn that such stretched metals could face sharp reversals reminiscent of trends from 1979-1980. Investors are carefully watching how central banks, geopolitical developments and industrial demand will continue to shape the trajectory of metals into early 2026.
FAQ:
Q: Why are altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin outperforming Bitcoin? A: Altcoins gained 1.1% to 1.3% in the last 24 hours, while Bitcoin increased 0.5%. Weak trading liquidity over the weekend allows smaller coins to see sharper movements. Diversification and technical setups among crypto investors are driving short-term gains in these altcoins.
Q: How are precious metals influencing crypto market sentiment?
A: In 2025, gold increased by 67% and silver increased by roughly 150%, attracting the attention of investors. Supply gaps, industrial demand and export restrictions, especially from China, are affecting market dynamics. Investors are weighing traditional hedges against Bitcoin, which impacts crypto inflows and trading patterns.
