LONDON, January 20, 2026, 11:38 GMT — Regular session
- Bitcoin slipped roughly 2%, hovering near $91,250 following an intraday dip to about $90,640
- Traders monitored a wider “risk-off” shift, with tariff threats linked to Greenland keeping markets on edge
- Investors are closely tracking tariff deadlines, U.S. economic data, and policy cues to gauge the next move
Bitcoin dropped roughly 2% on Tuesday, hitting around $91,247 after dipping to an intraday low of $90,642. The largest cryptocurrency stayed well below its peak of about $93,311 for the day.
The shift happened as global markets resumed trading amid new headlines, with President Donald Trump threatening fresh tariffs on several European nations tied to U.S. attempts to buy Greenland. This tariff threat has tilted investors toward a defensive posture — known as “risk-off” — and crypto markets have followed that retreat. 1
European stocks declined, and the dollar eased for a second day amid ongoing volatility stirred by the Greenland dispute, with gold reaching new highs. Amelie Derambure, senior multi-asset portfolio manager at Amundi, called the selloff “precautionary profit-taking and some risk reduction,” noting that she hadn’t seen “any panic” yet. 2
Bitcoin dipped sharply early in the week, sliding as much as 3.6% below $92,000 in Asia following the tariff threat. Ether tumbled 4.9%, while Solana plunged 8.6% during the same selloff, the report noted. 3
Axel Rudolph, market analyst at IG, said “macro uncertainty, tariff risks and technical resistance cap momentum,” putting bitcoin at risk as it stays under a resistance zone he identified between $94,095 and $94,767. He pointed to support near $90,559 to $89,226 should the selloff push past an uptrend line near $90,725. 4
Flows into U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) — which trade like stocks — continue to drive short-term trading moves. Data from Farside Investors reveals net inflows of about $1.4 billion between Jan. 12 and 16, despite a $394.7 million outflow on Jan. 16 itself. 5
On-chain data drew focus back to supply when a wallet inactive for over 13 years shifted 909.38 bitcoin, valued at roughly $85 million, Bitbo News reported. The coins were gathered into a fresh address, with the owner remaining unidentified. 6
But the immediate outlook depends more on politics and overall risk appetite than on blockchain hype. Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG, told Reuters in a note that markets are likely to reopen this week in “risk-off” mode, driven by worries over alliances and potential trade disruptions. 7
Longer-term caution is resurfacing. Christopher Wood, Jefferies’ global head of equity strategy, pulled bitcoin from a recommended portfolio, citing concerns that quantum computing breakthroughs might undermine crypto’s cryptographic defenses, Tom’s Hardware reports. 8
Traders are closely monitoring any changes in rhetoric from Washington and Europe, as well as statements emerging from Davos. Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, noted that “what happens next for financial markets will ultimately depend on Trump’s actions in the coming days,” emphasizing that his remarks on Greenland at Davos this week will be key. 9
