Bitcoin Refuses to Budge at $92k as the Supreme Court Prepares to Strike a Blow to Trade Tariffs

The world's largest cryptocurrency is refusing to budge. On Friday, Bitcoin (BTC-USD) remained glued to the $90,000-$92,000 level. This has left traders in a state of no trade limbo. The entire financial world is currently fixated on the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to rule on the legality of controversial trade tariffs.Claim 70% Off TipRanks PremiumUnlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions Stay ahead of the market with the latest news and analysis and maximize your portfolio's potential Because these tariffs have such a huge impact on global inflation and how much cash investors are willing to risk, Bitcoin has become a secondary thought until a verdict is reached. For now, the start of the year chop continues to keep the market in a tight, frustrating range. The Federal Reserve Is Dealing with a Cooling Labour market While the courts are busy with trade policy, the Federal Reserve is dealing with a cooling labor market. Recent unemployment data came in lower than many expected, giving the Fed a reason to keep interest rates exactly where they are for the January meeting. Driving this cautious approach is a clear sign that the economy is slowing down. This has made officials hesitant to continue cutting rates just yet. At the heart of the current market boredom lies a Fed that is effectively in "wait and see" mode, which has stripped the crypto market of the explosive volatility it usually sees in early January. Technical Signals Guard the $90,000 Floor From a technical perspective, Bitcoin is fighting to stay above its 21-day moving average. If it fails to hold this ground, analysts warn of a potential "cascade" that could send prices tumbling toward the $88,000 mark. On the flip side, a breakout above $92,000 would be needed to prove that the bulls are still in charge. The market is currently finding support in a critical order block where big buyers are absorbing any sell pressure that hits the screen. Until the Supreme Court delivers a definitive yes or no on the tariff issue, these technical lines are the only map traders have left to follow. Markets Sprint Toward a Breakout Catalyst The lack of movement today doesn't mean the market is dead; it just means it is coiled like a spring. Traders like Daan Crypto Trades have noted that they aren't interested in chasing small 5% moves while the price is trapped in this two-month range. Overall, everyone is looking for a decisive breakout that will set the tone for the rest of 2026. Whether that catalyst comes from the Supreme Court ruling or a shift in the Fed's tone later this month, the ghost of the $90,000 deadlock will eventually have to give way to a new trend. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is sitting at $91,334.87.