I’ve been deep in the crypto trenches for years, and right now, on December 18, 2025, with Bitcoin sitting around $87,000–$88,000 after multiple tests of the mid-$80,000s this month, I’m more bullish than ever. Yeah, the pain is real—we’re down over 30% from that euphoric all-time high above $126,000 back in early October.

We’ve endured sharp drops below $86,000, billions in liquidations, ETF outflows piling up (like those -$277 million days), and sentiment crashing into “Extreme Fear.” The total market cap has flirted with danger, and even giants like Strategy have had to shore up their balance sheets while tempering aggressive forecasts. It hurts, no question.

But in my eyes, this December correction isn’t a death knell—it’s the exact kind of healthy reset that clears out the froth and sets the stage for a monster run ahead.Look, this deleveraging has been brutal but necessary. Remember the insane open interest in perpetual futures hitting nearly $800 billion during the peak?

That was pure leverage-fueled mania, unsustainable and begging for a purge. Now, with positions unwound and weak hands capitulating, we’re building a cleaner foundation. On-chain data backs this up: whales are quietly accumulating tens of thousands of BTC while retail dumps in panic, exchange balances are plummeting as coins move to cold storage for long-term holding, and selling pressure is easing post-halving dynamics.

This isn’t the chaotic speculation of old cycles; it’s maturation in action.What fires me up most is the macro backdrop aligning perfectly for risk assets like Bitcoin.

The Fed just delivered its third rate cut of the year last week, dropping the funds rate to 3.50%–3.75%. Sure, the dot plot shows caution with maybe just one or two more in 2026, and there were dissents highlighting a divided FOMC—inflation lingering and jobs cooling but not collapsing. But lower rates are rocket fuel for Bitcoin.

Cheaper money means more liquidity chasing growth plays, and as “digital gold,” BTC captures that flow disproportionately. We’ve seen rebounds spark from easing signals before, and with tomorrow’s CPI data potentially softening further, I expect these tailwinds to build momentum into the new year.

On the political side, the stars are aligned like never before. Pro-crypto momentum is surging—think the GENIUS Act paving the way for stablecoins, serious discussions around a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and clearer regulatory paths emerging. Institutions aren’t waiting around: public companies and spot ETFs are hoarding BTC at record paces, corporate treasuries are eyeing diversification (even into major altcoins), and governments are finally drafting sensible frameworks.

As Binance co-CEO Richard Teng put it over the weekend, we’re shifting “beyond hype and speculation” into genuine global finance integration. I couldn’t agree more—reduced volatility from long-term holding, falling exchange supplies, and institutional dominance are turning crypto into a resilient asset class.

Technically, I’m glued to that $90,000 resistance zone. We’ve defended mid-$80,000 supports repeatedly this month, bouncing hard each time. If we smash through $90K on conviction—especially if CPI reinforces the dovish Fed narrative—I see a swift rally to $92K–$94K, then $100K in sight before year-end. Even a rejection leading to deeper tests around $80K or lower? I’m loading up. The asymmetry screams buy: scarcity locked in (nearly 19.9 million BTC mined), adoption accelerating, and history showing Bitcoin devours skeptics.

Polls reflect the split sentiment—plenty doubting $100K before 2026—but I’m all-in on the optimistic side. Forecasts range from $120K–$180K by end-2026 to wilder calls if ETF demand keeps outstripping supply. Bitwise is spot-on predicting new highs, potentially shattering the classic four-year cycle.

With everything converging—easing policy, political support, institutional inflows—I’m not ruling out $300K+ in a true supercycle phase.

This December shakeout has tested everyone, exposing leverage risks and forcing a reality check. But for me, it’s solidified my conviction: we’re crafting a stronger, more mature market with real utility over pure gambling.

The hype is cooling, fundamentals are heating up, and when the next impulse ignites—likely early 2026—it’ll blindsides the doubters. I’m not parting with a single satoshi. In fact, these dips are gift-wrapped opportunities to stack more. 2026 is going to be absolutely legendary.