Bitcoin (BTC) got off to a strong start in 2026, with price increases largely concentrated during North American trading hours, while Asian trading hours dragged down the overall performance.
According to analysts, this situation signals the complete opposite of the market dynamics seen in the final months of the year.
Market analyst James Van Straten noted that Bitcoin briefly rose to the $97,000 level, registering an increase of approximately 10% since the beginning of 2026. According to Van Straten, the main driver of this rise was the North American trading session. Data shows that Bitcoin’s cumulative gain during North American trading hours was approximately 8%. Gains in the European session were limited to 3%, while the Asian session was the main factor suppressing the overall performance.
This chart points to a completely opposite outlook for the end of 2025. As you may recall, Bitcoin lost approximately 20% of its value during North American trading hours in late November, falling to around $80,000. Throughout the fourth quarter, selling pressure was often concentrated around the opening of US markets, with spot Bitcoin ETFs experiencing outflows almost every day. In contrast, in 2026, the strongest returns are seen immediately after the opening of US markets. This time period also coincides with the hours when Bitcoin has performed weakest in the last six months.
The analysis also notes that price movements during the US trading session do not solely reflect the demand of US investors. This is because price formation during these hours encompasses both US-based exchanges and global platforms like Binance. Therefore, while strong gains may occur during the US session, a negative premium on Coinbase is possible. This suggests that demand may be coming primarily from global investors outside the US.
*This is not investment advice.
Read the full article here