Bitcoin’s climb past the critical $95,000 mark has triggered a divide in market sentiment. While miners are showing renewed confidence, derivatives traders are positioning for a pullback. This divergence raises key questions about whether Bitcoin is gearing up for another rally—or bracing for correction.

Miners Accumulate as Confidence Builds

The most notable reaction to Bitcoin’s breakout came from miners. On-chain data from CryptoQuant reveals a sharp uptick in BTC miner reserves starting April 29, shortly after BTC closed above $95,000. This reserve had plunged to a yearly low of 1.80 million BTC just a day earlier, but the trend reversed as miners began accumulating again.

Miner reserves reflect the number of coins held in miner wallets and are often viewed as a sentiment gauge. Rising reserves suggest miners are holding onto their coins, expecting higher prices ahead—rather than selling into the rally.

Positive Netflow Underscores Bullish Sentiment

Further strengthening the miner narrative is the shift in miner netflow. Since April 29, more BTC has been moving into miner wallets than out, a clear indication that miners are in accumulation mode.

Bitcoin Miner Netflow. Source: CryptoQuant

This behavior typically aligns with long-term optimism. Miners, who often operate on thin margins, tend to liquidate when prices appear unsustainable. Their choice to hold now suggests they see more upside in the near term.

Futures Market Sends Mixed Signals

Despite the bullish undertone from miners, BTC’s derivatives market tells a contrasting story. Since early May, the coin’s funding rate has remained in negative territory, currently sitting at -0.0056%.

BTC Funding Rate. Source: Coinglass

In perpetual futures contracts, a negative funding rate means short traders are dominant, paying longs to maintain open positions. This indicates a broader market expectation of a pullback or correction, despite BTC’s spot price strength.

Key Levels to Watch: Rally or Rejection Ahead?

This growing divergence between miners and traders puts BTC at a critical crossroads. If accumulation continues and demand picks up, Bitcoin could aim to break resistance at $98,515 and potentially challenge the $102,080 zone.

BTC Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if trader skepticism proves correct and selling pressure mounts, BTC could slide back below $95,000, with $92,910 as the next support level.

Bitcoin bullish momentum has brought it to the edge of a critical threshold — but whether it can break past $90,000 remains uncertain. The flagship cryptocurrency surged past $89,000 on 22 April, marking its highest price since early March, yet technical and on-chain signals hint at a possible near-term pullback.

BTC Battles Key Resistance Zone

Data from TradingView and Cointelegraph Markets Pro shows that Bitcoin’s price approached the $89,000 level steadily, fuelled by strong spot buying during U.S. trading hours. However, the $90K–$91K range is now acting as a formidable resistance.

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Daan Crypto Trades

Prominent analyst Daan Crypto Trades highlighted that this range had previously served as a major support zone, which now flips into resistance. Adding to this pressure is the 200-day simple moving average (SMA), currently sitting just above $89K — a widely watched technical barrier.

“Quite a few resistances close by,” said Daan, “but a few percentage moves and you’ll break through all of them. Bulls know what to do.”

On-Chain Data Signals Caution

While the recent surge has energised markets, analysts warn of deeper resistance ahead. Julio Moreno, head of research at CryptoQuant, pointed to the realised price of active traders between $91,000 and $92,000 as a significant hurdle.

This realised price, an on-chain metric that reflects the average acquisition cost of active traders, often acts as resistance in bearish phases. As Bitcoin continues to consolidate below this range, traders are watching closely for signs of either a breakout or a reversal.

Is a Pullback on the Cards?

Although momentum remains positive, the struggle to break above $90K suggests profit-taking and sell-side liquidity could slow down further gains. Analysts also warn that if Bitcoin fails to establish support above $89,000, short-term corrections may follow.

Market sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with some traders viewing this consolidation as healthy before a larger move, while others remain sceptical given the cluster of technical resistances.

What’s Next for Bitcoin Bulls?

To confirm a bullish breakout, Bitcoin must convincingly clear the $91K–$92K resistance zone and establish it as support. Until then, the crypto remains vulnerable to range-bound movement and brief retracements.

If bulls manage to push past this zone, it could open the door to new all-time highs, especially with broader macro factors such as institutional interest and ETF inflows continuing to support the market.

In the short term, however, Bitcoin traders are urged to stay cautious and watch for volume-backed moves before making aggressive entries.