Bitcoin (BTC) neared its year-to-date high on the weekly close on Sunday as traders prepared for liquidity shortages.
Key points:
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Bitcoin enters classic fakeout territory because the weekly close coincides with the aftermath of the US-Venezuela news.
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BTC price motion gained as much as 2% over the weekend, $92,000 is next on the bull list.
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Crisis time for gold as Bitcoin tries to make a comeback.
Bitcoin liquidations are scheduled as soon because the weekly close is reached
Data from TradingView tracked BTC price volatility as BTC/USD fluctuated above $91,000.
BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The pair gained as much as 2% over the weekend as crypto markets began to react to the US military move against Venezuela.
Ahead of the return of TradFi markets, traders looked to the liquidity of the exchange order book to offer clues as to where the BTC price is perhaps heading within the short term.
“The largest liquidity cluster within the immediate vicinity is below the annual opening price by around $88,000,” wrote Daan Crypto Trades in one in all his latest X posts together with data from monitoring resource CoinGlass.
“Above, the $92,000 level to keep watch over, which also coincides with what’s roughly the high of the range in such an extended time.” 
Heatmap of BTC liquidation. Source: Daan Crypto Trades/X
Commentator Exitpump also noted that order books above $95,000 are “thin” – which could potentially set the stage for a fast retest of $100,000.
$BTC The biggest spot order book sell barriers to observe out for are 92,000 and 94,000 to 95,000.
Thin air above 95K to 100K pic.twitter.com/vZjwutyV4l
– Exitpump (@exitpumpBTC) January 4, 2026
As Cointelegraph reported, recent weekly candle closes have seen BTC price fakes in each directions, with the market liquidating nearby positions but failing to interrupt out of its local range.
Trader Alan Tardigrade indicated that change was finally coming, reporting that BTC/USD has now escaped a symmetrical triangle construction on the two-hour timeframe. The accompanying chart showed that $90,000 was the important thing level to interrupt above.
BTC/USDT two-hour perpetual contract chart. Source: Alan Tardigrade/X
Crypto is about to hitch TradFi Venezuela’s response
Elsewhere, expectations for volatility in global markets firmed as futures prepared to open.
The Kobeissi letter warns readers of adverse conditions for trading resources and sees a very large impact on oil.
“This weekend’s events in Venezuela can have a big impact on the worldwide economy,” one X thread concluded.
“The macroeconomy is changing and stocks, commodities, bonds and cryptocurrencies will change.” 
XAU/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
Kobeissi added that Venezuela's gold reserves are the most important in Latin America, adding pressure to gold markets that weakened towards the tip of the 12 months while the cryptocurrency recovered.
While everyone focuses on oil:
Venezuela currently has 161 TONNES of gold reserves.
161 tons is the same as about 5.18 million troy ounces and is value about $22 BILLION at $4,300 per ounce.
This makes Venezuela the Latin American country with the most important gold holdings.
Every $100 that… pic.twitter.com/pI8DWgt1CB
– The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 4, 2026
Crypto trader, analyst and entrepreneur Michaël van de Poppe expressed optimism about Bitcoin's prospects in comparison with the dear metal.
“$BTC vs. Gold is starting an uptrend,” he told X followers that day.
“It's not confirmed yet. The best could be if a better high is made. That would confirm the bullish divergence. Otherwise, the markets are looking great.” 
One-day chart of BTC/USD vs. Gold with RSI data. Source: Michael van de Poppe/X
Van de Poppe noted that Bitcoin's weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) readings had reached their lowest level for the reason that end of the bear market in 2022.
This article doesn’t contain any investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading activity involves risks and readers should conduct their very own research when making their decision. While we try to offer accurate and up-to-date information, Cointelegraph doesn’t guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the knowledge in this text. This article may contain forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph won’t be responsible for any loss or damage arising out of your reliance on this information.
This article doesn’t contain any investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading activity involves risks and readers should conduct their very own research when making their decision. While we try to offer accurate and up-to-date information, Cointelegraph doesn’t guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the knowledge in this text. This article may contain forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph won’t be responsible for any loss or damage arising out of your reliance on this information.
