Bitcoin traders largely stayed on the sidelines as BTC prices moved sideways, with markets awaiting a key decision from the Supreme Court of the United States on U.S. trade tariffs.
Bitcoin hovered near the $90,000 level around Friday’s Wall Street open, as investors braced for potential volatility tied to the upcoming tariff ruling. The lack of directional momentum kept risk-asset traders cautious, with many expecting the Supreme Court could strike down the trade measures.
At the same time, U.S. unemployment data came in below expectations, reinforcing the view that the Federal Reserve is likely to keep interest rates unchanged at its January meeting. As a result, the labor market data had little immediate impact on broader markets, including crypto.
Market observers highlighted that attention remains firmly on the tariff decision, which is seen as a potential catalyst for volatility across global assets. Analysts noted that a ruling against the tariffs could reshape U.S. trade policy and send ripple effects through equities, currencies, and digital assets alike.
Bitcoin traders wait for clearer direction
Data from TradingView showed indecisive Bitcoin price action ahead of the anticipated ruling. Trading commentary suggested that bets continue to favor President Donald Trump’s tariff measures being overturned, adding to the sense of uncertainty.
Despite the broader macro backdrop, Bitcoin remained stuck in a tight range. Many traders described BTC/USD as a “no-trade” environment, citing the absence of a clear trend and limited upside or downside conviction.
Several analysts emphasized that Bitcoin has been consolidating for nearly two months, making short-term trades unattractive until a decisive breakout occurs. Technical analysis showed price interacting with key moving averages on higher timeframes, reinforcing the view that the market remains in a holding pattern.
Some traders identified $88,000 and $92,000 as important levels to watch, pointing to unresolved price gaps in CME Group’s Bitcoin futures market that could influence future price movement.
Others cautioned that while Bitcoin has pulled back again, holding above critical short-term moving averages could help prevent deeper downside pressure and keep the broader bullish structure intact.
