On Friday, Bitcoin remained above $90,000, supported by new US jobs data that indicated hiring was slowing down, but the economy didn’t appear to be heading for a major decline.
The report addressed a major concern for cryptocurrency markets, but it’s not enough to cause prices to quickly return to $100,000.
Labor Data Eases US Recession Risk
The US economy saw a modest increase of 50,000 jobs in December, which was one of the smallest gains in recent years. However, unemployment continued to fall, reaching 4.4%, and wages grew at a steady pace of 3.8% compared to the previous year.
Investors interpreted the latest data as a sign that the job market is slowing down, but not falling apart. This helped keep investments like Bitcoin stable, with its price fluctuating between $89,000 and $92,000 today.
The latest jobs report showed slower growth, which eased concerns about the economy growing too quickly and potentially leading to interest rate hikes. It also lowered the chance of a sharp economic downturn that could cause a stock market drop.
This is important for Bitcoin. Recently, significant drops in cryptocurrency value have happened when there were worries about either quickly rising prices or a weakening economy. However, the latest economic data released on Friday didn’t indicate either of those problems.
Jobless numbers barely dropped, and hiring has slowed down. This indicates the economy is losing some steam, but it’s still holding steady. These signs suggest a gradual slowdown – a ‘soft landing’ – is more likely than a full-blown recession.
Because of this, Bitcoin managed to avoid a price drop that would have sent it back down to around $80,000.
Bitcoin has started 2026 strong, rising over 7%, and appears to be heading towards the $100,000 mark. According to Matt Mena, a Crypto Research Strategist at 21shares, if unemployment remains stable and inflation decreases, Bitcoin is likely to surpass $100,000 and potentially test its previous all-time high of $110,000. Breaking through this level is important because it would signal to investors that further price increases are possible and build confidence in the market.
Why Bitcoin’s $100,000 Still Looks Hard in the Near Term
While the report removed one downside risk, it did not unlock a new upside driver.
With wages increasing by 3.8%, prices for services are likely to remain elevated. This allows the Federal Reserve to pause and assess the economy before considering any interest rate reductions.
Bitcoin typically surges when investors anticipate lower interest rates and more available money. However, the latest economic data released on Friday didn’t support that expectation.
Honestly, I’m seeing signals that suggest they’re leaning towards holding off on any big policy changes for a while. And that’s probably a good thing, because a quick jump in price to six figures, fueled by just a lot of money flowing in, feels less likely now. It’s a bit of a relief, actually – a more gradual climb feels much more sustainable for the long term.
Big Bitcoin investors aren’t taking advantage of the recent price drop. The number of Bitcoin held by addresses with 1,000 to 10,000 BTC has decreased by 220,000 BTC compared to last year, which is the biggest drop since the beginning of 2023. This pattern happened before prices peaked in 2021-2022, suggesting a potential top may be near.
— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) January 9, 2026
Whether Bitcoin will reach $100,000 again now hinges more on where money is moving and what people expect from interest rates, rather than just job numbers.
If people continue to invest in spot Bitcoin ETFs, it could create enough buying pressure to break through the $95,000 price level. Additionally, a stronger indication that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates would also be beneficial.
The latest jobs report is currently helping to keep Bitcoin prices steady above $90,000 by preventing any unexpected economic disruptions. However, it hasn’t created enough positive momentum to push the price decisively above $100,000 just yet.
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2026-01-10 00:24