Bitcoin topped $95,000 on Tuesday, drawing attention from traders and analysts who say actual buying of the coin, rather than betting on derivatives, is driving the move.
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According to data from Coingeck, the cryptocurrency was trading at $95,250 at the time of publication, after rising 4.50% over 24 hours. Reports revealed that $269 million in Bitcoin short positions were wiped out in that period, a wave of liquidations that helped add to the upward momentum.
Buying on the spot encourages movement
Several market watchers pointed to spot buying as a major strength. Cryptoanalyst Will Clemente posted on X that the rise appears to be “driven by spot buying.”
This is important because buying real assets signals direct demand for Bitcoin itself, not just betting via futures or options. Short sellers are hit hard; their positions were closed as prices jumped, and that pressure added to the advance.
This Bitcoin rally appears to be led by spot buying and fade by the perpetrators as funding turns negative while open interest rises + most of the days spot volume.
(discovery currently long btc) pic.twitter.com/pL9C8GFJYR
— Will (@WClementeIII) January 13, 2026
$100k calls and odds
Some traders are now predicting a rapid rise to six figures, saying that it is quite clear that Bitcoin could reach $100,000 in the coming weeks and that any dip should be bought.
Based on the report from Polymarketprediction markets place Bitcoin about a 51% chance of returning to $100,000 by February 1st and show a 23% chance of printing $105,000. Bitcoin last fell below $100,000 on November 13, leaving a resistance level that bulls are looking to clear.
History gives a mixed signal
January’s record for Bitcoin was modest on average, yielding roughly a 4% gain since 2013. February was stronger, with an average return of 13%.
These averages do not guarantee a path forward, but they give traders context for the market’s behavior in recent years. Market moves can be swift. They can also fit.
Macro risks and technical levels
Traders eyed $90,000 as an important support level, while Bitcoin breached $95,000 ahead of US inflation data that could change bets rate reductions.
Demand for safe havens has been in play as geopolitics and central bank independence questions weigh on global markets. Prices are currently tight, with many saying the market is in a narrow band and is likely to break out one way or another.
😮 Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies are recovering. It has just exceeded 94 thousand dollars again $BTCand there will likely be retail FOMO if the top cryptocurrency asset starts to hit $100K in the next few days.
📊 In the chart below, high jumps from:
🟦 #Lower or… pic.twitter.com/5pcwtB0mls
— Santiment (@santimentfeed) January 13, 2026
Retail FOMO could add fuel
Meanwhile, crypto sentiment tracker Santiment warned that a re-tease of $100,000 could pull back retail traders, sparking fresh market-wide FOMO.
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If that happens, more buying from everyday investors could push prices up quickly. But flows can also turn quickly, and major macro surprises or a loss of momentum would test the bulls.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
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