Bitcoin Poised for Rare Fourth Straight Monthly Loss Ahead of Options Expiry
Bitcoin is on track for a fourth consecutive monthly decline, a streak not seen since 2018–2019, when the market endured six straight losing months. With one week remaining in January, the cryptocurrency trades near $87,000, slightly down for the month.
The asset closed October through December in negative territory, dropping roughly 36% from its October all-time high. Even during the 2022 bear market, when bitcoin fell from $69,000 to $15,000 amid market tightening and crypto-sector shocks, it never posted more than three consecutive losing months, highlighting the rarity of the current streak.
Derivatives markets show cautious optimism. Data from Deribit points to modest upside interest heading into month-end, with total open interest near $8.5 billion set to expire on Jan. 30. The $100,000 call option carries the largest notional value—around $900 million—while the max pain price, near $90,000, could influence price action as expiry approaches.
