2026-01-02 22:22:30

October opened strong—Bitcoin pushed to new all-time highs right on schedule as Q4 seasonality kicked in. Then came the pullback to $80k, and now the million-dollar question: are we looking at another bull trap, or is this just a normal retracement before the real run?

The debate's heating up on-chain. Some traders see the initial rally as a classic bear trap—luring retail in before a deeper correction. Others argue the pullback is healthy consolidation, setting up the next leg higher. Both narratives have merit, and that's what makes this phase tricky. Price action around the $80k support level will be decisive—either we bounce and push higher, or we're in for a more extended correction. Either way, Q4 volatility is definitely living up to expectations.

BTC0,17%

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

10 Likes

Reward
10
5
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

NeverVoteOnDAO

· 21h ago

Breaking 80k is indeed a key point, but honestly I am more concerned about what the on-chain whales are doing. Retail narratives are all after-the-fact armchair strategies. Can't keep fighting anymore, now everyone is just guessing the next move, so might as well lie flat and wait for the outcome. Is it a bull trap or consolidation... forget it, let's look at the technicals again, after all it's all a game of probabilities. This wave of Q4 volatility is indeed fierce, but it feels like the story is more intense than the market itself. Breaking 80k is truly a watershed moment—either a rebound or a drop, anyway one of them will happen.

View OriginalReply0

RektButAlive

· 21h ago

That 80k threshold is really crucial; breaking it or not will determine the future direction... Speaking of which, the last time I was this conflicted was during the previous market cycle, and the backlash came so quickly.

View OriginalReply0

ruggedNotShrugged

· 21h ago

You really need to keep an eye on this key level of 80k; if it breaks, it's game over.

View OriginalReply0

CrossChainMessenger

· 21h ago

If we can't hold 80k, it's really going to be over. Don't tell me about healthy corrections; I've seen through that long ago. Is this wave a trap to lure more buyers or is it really about to take off... Honestly, no one can say for sure. Whether it's a bull market or not, just watch how 80k performs—that's all, it's not that complicated. It's always the same—ramp up aggressively at the start, then when it drops, start telling stories... Speechless. Seasonality in Q4? I only trust spot ETFs and institutional buying. The old trick of pushing prices up to sell off, still debating whether it's a correction or a trap.

View OriginalReply0

MagicBean

· 21h ago

Breaking the 80k mark is really a bit frustrating. To be honest, no one knows what the next move will be. Bull trap or consolidation, both sides have their reasons. This kind of ambiguous market is so annoying. Let's wait for the price to speak. Anyway, I’m holding and not selling. The seasonal theory always works, but this year feels a bit different... It's the fourth quarter; what’s supposed to come will come eventually. But right now, it does feel a bit exhausting. It feels like a casino. If the 80k support level breaks, I’ll cut my losses.

View OriginalReply0