Singapore, Jan 27, 2026, 19:23 SGT — Regular session
- Bitcoin slipped roughly 0.2% to hover around $87,700, remaining stuck under the key $90,000 threshold traders are eyeing
- After four days of outflows, U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs saw a modest net inflow on Jan 26
- BlackRock’s filing for an options-based “premium income” ETF expands the lineup of yield-focused crypto products
Bitcoin slipped Tuesday, finishing roughly 0.2% lower at $87,705, after bouncing between $87,065 and $88,797. Ether gained around 0.3%, climbing to $2,902.
Bitcoin remains close to one-month lows as traders eye the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision and fresh signals on U.S. interest rates. The market largely anticipates that the Fed will hold rates steady on Wednesday. All focus is on Chair Jerome Powell and President Donald Trump’s recent remarks suggesting he might soon announce the next Fed chair. 1
Currency markets have been volatile, with the dollar finding it tough to hold ground as the yen climbed amid speculation of U.S.-Japan “rate checks” that typically signal intervention. Nick Rees, head of macro research at Monex, noted that “the big risk… is not in the rate decision,” but what follows it. 2
Bitcoin bounced back from just under $86,000 in Asia but failed to reclaim the $90,000 mark overnight as traders remained cautious amid ongoing macroeconomic concerns. Vikram Subburaj, CEO of Giottus, said “macro uncertainty continued to cap risk appetite,” suggesting the market might stay confined to a narrow range until there’s more clarity on policy. According to CoinMarketCap, the total crypto market value ticked up 1.1% to $2.99 trillion. 3
Flow data revealed that U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds—those holding bitcoin and trading like shares—netted $6.8 million on Jan 26, bouncing back after four days of withdrawals. BlackRock’s IBIT attracted $15.9 million, while Bitwise’s BITB experienced $11 million in outflows, according to the data. 4
BlackRock has submitted a filing for an iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF designed to sell call options — contracts granting buyers the right to purchase IBIT shares at a fixed price — aiming to collect option premiums, according to Decrypt. This move positions BlackRock within a niche but expanding group of covered-call bitcoin funds, joining players like NEOS, Roundhill, and YieldMax. 5
U.S. stocks climbed Monday, marking a fourth consecutive gain as investors braced for mega-cap earnings and the upcoming Fed meeting. Gold surged past $5,000 an ounce. Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla are all set to release results later this week, keeping risk appetite tight. 6
Regulators continue to cast a long shadow. According to Ledger Insights, which cites Nikkei, Japan’s Financial Services Agency is eyeing a move to greenlight crypto exchange-traded products by 2028. Early issuers could include Nomura Holdings and firms connected to SBI. 7
Bitcoin continues to behave like a high-beta play on liquidity. Any hawkish shift from the Fed, a fresh surge in yields, or a sudden move in the dollar could drag it down once more, triggering another wave of risk cutbacks.
Wednesday brings the Fed statement and Powell’s press conference, setting the stage for the next market test. Heavyweight earnings reports and the daily ETF flow data will follow. Traders keep a close eye on the $90,000 level as the key upside target, while recent lows continue to serve as the downside benchmark.
