Short-Term BTC & ETH Price Forecast: What to Expect This Weekend (Dec 13–14, 2025)

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As the weekend approaches, Bitcoin and Ethereum find themselves in a tight trading range with mixed signals from both macro markets and crypto-specific positioning. After a modest rebound earlier this week, the biggest cryptocurrencies are now testing key support and resistance zones that could determine whether the market sees a consolidation period or a breakout move over the next 48–72 hours.

Below we break down key drivers, technical outlooks, and realistic price scenarios for both BTC and ETH.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and speculative. You should conduct your own research, assess your risk tolerance, and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. The author assumes no responsibility for any financial losses or actions taken based on the content of this publication.

Market Context: Rebound and Rotation

Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin has lifted above $92,000, gaining around 2.3% in response to improved risk appetite in broader markets, including equities. Ether has also posted modest gains, rising above $3,240 as traders rebalance positions ahead of the weekend. (The Economic Times)

Despite this uptick, crypto remains caught between macro headwinds, such as ongoing uncertainty around future interest-rate policy, and crypto-specific catalysts, including a large options expiry and shifting institutional flow dynamics.

Key Near-Term Drivers Affecting BTC & ETH

1. Options Expiry — ~$4.5 Billion on the Line

Today (Friday) sees a large $4.5 billion BTC and ETH options expiry. These expiries often act as short-term volatility triggers as traders adjust hedges and reduce levered exposure in thin year-end liquidity conditions. The “max pain” price — the point where most options contracts expire worthless and theoretically minimize losses — is around $90,000 for BTC. (BeInCrypto)

This dynamic creates a near-term focus on staying above key levels — especially in the final hours of options trading — before liquidity thins into the weekend.

2. Macro Backdrop & Sentiment

Recent Fed decisions and cautious forward guidance have tempered risk appetite, keeping crypto in a range-bound environment. Some analysts argue that rate cuts can lift risk assets, but the crypto reaction has been muted so far, suggesting traders want firmer signals before committing to major directional bets. (MarketWatch)

Simultaneously, standard price forecasts from some institutional models have shifted lower (e.g., halved BTC year-end targets relative to earlier 2025 expectations), underscoring a more muted near-term view. (MarketWatch)

Technical Outlook: Bitcoin (BTC)

Support Zones to Watch

  • $90,000 region: A central psychological and technical support level — likely strengthened by options “max pain” dynamics. Dropping below this level into the weekend could signal increased risk of a deeper pullback. (BeInCrypto)

  • $88,000–$84,000 zone: A secondary support cluster drawn from broader Fibonacci retracement levels (from recent swing highs), acting as a line in the sand for weekend sellers. (99Bitcoins)

Upside Resistance

  • $92,500–$94,000: BTC’s short-term resistance band, where selling pressure has shown up before. Clearing this zone on solid volume would be a bullish sign. (The Economic Times)

  • $95,000+: A decisive break here would open the door toward stronger momentum, though that may require larger catalysts (macro surprises or institutional flows). (Exchange Rates UK)

Possible Weekend Scenarios

Bullish case:
If BTC holds above $92,000 into Saturday morning and volume remains supportive, the market could test $94,000–$95,000 early next week as short-term buyers regain confidence. A break above this range would challenge traders to look toward higher year-end resistance bands.

Neutral / range-bound:
Continuing the theme of recent weeks, BTC may chop between $90,000 and $94,000, especially as year-end liquidity thins and macro catalysts remain limited. Price action in this range often indicates indecision and can persist into Monday.

Bearish case:
A break below $90,000 — especially on Sunday ahead of Monday’s open — could attract fresh selling into the $88,000–$84,000 cluster as risk-off sentiment spreads from equities and macro markets.

Technical Outlook: Ethereum (ETH)

Support Levels

  • $3,200: A psychological pivot researchers and traders watch as ETH holds modest gains above this zone. (thecryptobasic.com)

  • $3,160–$3,100: A lower support corridor if sellers gain momentum — tested during recent pullbacks.

Upside Resistance

  • $3,250–$3,260: Early resistance point that ETH must clear to validate broader upside momentum this weekend. (coindesk.com)

  • $3,300+: Key technical hurdle that could signal a sustained rebound if overcome.

Scenario Breakdown

Bullish scenario:
If ETH remains above $3,240–$3,250 and picks up additional volume, it could extend gains toward $3,300 — a region where supply historically steps in. Traders looking for momentum plays may target quick intraday moves above this level.

Range-bound:
ETH might chop between $3,200 and $3,260 over the weekend, matching Bitcoin’s overall pattern of narrow trading ranges in thin liquidity environments.

Downside risk:
Failure to sustain above $3,200 could pull ETH toward the $3,160–$3,100 zone, which would mark a deeper pullback and increased bearish sentiment among short-term traders.

Cross-Asset and Sentiment Signals

Correlation with Macro and Equities

BTC and ETH have shown continued correlation with broader risk assets (e.g., tech stocks) in recent sessions — meaning equities performance often influences crypto risk sentiment. Soft data in tech or macro could dampen crypto prices this weekend if traders shift to risk-off postures. (Barron's)

On-Chain Data and Open Interest

Open interest and leverage metrics remain moderate, indicating traders are positioning cautiously rather than aggressively in either direction — a classic setup for range trading rather than breakout volatility.

Practical Takeaways for Traders and Investors

  1. Watch the $90,000 floor for BTC: Breach here increases the odds of deeper tests into the weekend.

  2. ETH range is tighter: Above $3,240 might enable short-term upside; failure to hold opens deeper retracement risk.

  3. Options expiry adds volatility risk: The roughly $4.5 billion BTC/ETH expiry could cause end-of-day swings on Friday that carry into early weekend sessions. (BeInCrypto)

  4. Macro events matter more than headlines: With limited major catalysts, macro sentiment (equities, bonds, Fed expectations) will continue influencing crypto flows.

  5. Liquidity is thin: With weekend volume typically lower and year-end fast approaching, price swings may be exaggerated on smaller volume spikes.

Conclusion: Cautious Optimism into the Weekend

In summary, the short-term forecast for BTC and ETH this weekend points to balance between upside potential and downside risk. Both assets remain in key trading ranges, and neither has decisively broken out or broken down ahead of the weekend.

Bullish traders will watch for consolidation above key resistance levels (BTC’s $92,000–$94,000; ETH’s $3,240–$3,300) that could herald further gains next week.

Conversely, a failure to hold important supports (BTC $90,000; ETH $3,200) could quickly tilt sentiment toward deeper retracement — especially with the backdrop of significant options expiries and thinner liquidity.

As always, these forecasts are probabilistic and not financial advice — crypto markets are notoriously unpredictable, and short-term price action can be swayed by unexpected news and broader financial market moves. Yet mathematically, technically, and sentimentally, the next 48–72 hours look set for range trading with bursts of volatility around key levels.



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