Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Bitcoin Rockets to $90K: Shorts Burned in a Volatile Crypto Market

Bitcoin surges past $90,000, triggering a short squeeze and liquidating over $120 million in bearish bets.

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Bitcoin Rockets to K: Shorts Burned in a Volatile Crypto Market

Bitcoin‘s Dramatic Surge: A Short Squeeze Unfolds

The cryptocurrency market witnessed a dramatic surge as Bitcoin (BTC) briefly revisited the $90,000 level. This rapid price increase, occurring after the Wall Street open, triggered a cascade of liquidations, primarily impacting traders holding short positions. Data indicates that over $120 million in short positions were wiped out in a matter of hours, painting a vivid picture of the market‘s volatility and the inherent risks associated with leveraged trading.

BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Liquidity Hunt and the Short Squeeze Dynamic

The recent price action underscores the persistent influence of liquidity-driven movements in the Bitcoin market. As prices climbed, a significant number of short sellers found themselves on the wrong side of the trade, forcing them to cover their positions to mitigate losses. This further fueled the upward momentum, creating a classic short squeeze scenario where rising prices exacerbate the selling pressure from those attempting to exit their short positions. The initial 2.5% daily gains were swiftly reversed, highlighting the precarious nature of short-term price swings.

BTC/USDT four-hour chart with RSI, volume data. Source: Michaël van de Poppe/X
BTC/USDT four-hour chart with RSI, volume data. Source: Michaël van de Poppe/X

Expert Perspectives and Price Targets

Industry commentators like Michaël van de Poppe celebrated the move, highlighting the potential for further gains as the $88,000 resistance level was breached, suggesting a push towards the $93,000-$94,000 range. Similarly, Exitpump noted a “strong” start to the US session, observing the short squeeze above $88,000. However, not all analysts are entirely bullish. Caleb Franzen, from Cubic Analytics, points to the significance of Bitcoin‘s 100-week moving averages, suggesting a possible “breakdown” that could offer a buying opportunity via dollar-cost averaging (DCA).

Longer-Term Market Outlook and Potential Downside Risks

Despite the recent surge, concerns about a potential price correction linger. Trader Daan Crypto Trades noted how the market had essentially returned to levels seen six months prior, emphasizing the importance of liquidity clusters in the $95,000 area. Furthermore, some analysts, such as Roman, foresee a drop to $76,000 in the near future, suggesting this current rally might simply be a temporary bounce. This divergence in opinion underscores the complexity of predicting Bitcoin‘s next move, with both bullish and bearish scenarios gaining traction.

Disclaimer

This article provides information and should not be considered as financial advice. Trading cryptocurrencies involves substantial risk, and readers should conduct their own research before making investment decisions.

Total crypto liquidations (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass
Total crypto liquidations (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass
Sarah Walker
Sarah Walker
Sarah Walker is an educator dedicated to demystifying cryptocurrency for beginners. Her clear and concise guides, glossaries, and tutorials empower newcomers to confidently engage with the crypto space.

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