PolymarketPolymarketAnalysis10 min read2025-12-09

Bitcoin $100K Analysis: How Whales Are Betting on Polymarket

David Okonkwo - Ex-institutional options trader, Risk specialist

David Okonkwo

Ex-institutional options trader, Risk specialist

Bitcoin $100K Analysis: How Whales Are Betting on Polymarket - Analysis Guide for Polymarket Traders | PolyTrack Blog

Bitcoin crossed $100,000 for the first time in December 2025, and Polymarket traders are now betting on what comes next. With $16M+ in volume across Bitcoin price markets, the battle between bulls ($150K by 2026) and bears ($80K retest) is heating up. Here's how whales are positioning and what the odds reveal about Bitcoin's trajectory.

Current Bitcoin Price Markets

Bitcoin Above $100K on December 31

Yes (Above $100K)

67%

No (Below $100K)

33%

Volume: $2.4M | Resolution: Dec 31, 2025 UTC

Bitcoin Price Range on Dec 31

Price RangeOdds
$100K - $110K32%
$110K - $125K24%
$90K - $100K18%
$125K+14%
$80K - $90K8%
Below $80K4%

2026 Bitcoin Price Markets

MarketYes OddsVolume
Bitcoin above $125K in 202671%$3.2M
Bitcoin above $150K in 202654%$4.1M
Bitcoin above $200K in 202628%$2.8M
Bitcoin below $80K in 202619%$1.9M

What Drove Bitcoin Past $100K

Multiple factors converged to push Bitcoin through the psychological barrier:

Trump Administration Tailwinds

  • Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: Trump signed executive order exploring national BTC reserve
  • Pro-crypto appointments: SEC chair, Treasury picks favorable to digital assets
  • Regulatory clarity: Expected loosening of crypto restrictions in 2025-2026
  • DOGE efficiency: Musk's government role seen as crypto-positive signal

Institutional Adoption

  • Bitcoin ETFs: Spot ETFs accumulated $100B+ AUM since January 2024 launch
  • MicroStrategy: Continued accumulation, now holds 420,000+ BTC
  • Corporate treasury: More companies adding BTC to balance sheets
  • Sovereign interest: El Salvador, potential US reserve discussions

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Whale Positioning on Polymarket

Analyzing whale trades reveals interesting patterns:

Bull Whale Activity

  • $150K 2026 market: Multiple $50K+ positions taken at 45-50¢ (now 54¢)
  • $200K market: Accumulation at 20-25¢ suggests asymmetric bet thesis
  • $125K market: Heavy volume, many whales treating as "base case"

Bear Whale Activity

  • $80K retest market: Growing positions betting on correction
  • Short-term No positions: Some whales betting BTC closes December below $100K
  • Hedging patterns: Long BTC holders using Polymarket to hedge downside

Whale Divergence Signal

Notably, some of the same wallets holding bullish 2026 positions are also taking small bear positions on December 31 close—suggesting sophisticated traders expect short-term volatility while remaining long-term bullish.

The Bull Case: $150K+ in 2026

Why 54% of traders think Bitcoin reaches $150K:

  • Halving cycle: April 2024 halving historically precedes 12-18 month rallies
  • Supply shock: ETFs + halving = reduced available supply
  • Institutional FOMO: $100K breakthrough may trigger new buyers
  • Macro environment: Fed rate cuts, potential inflation hedge narrative
  • Historical patterns: Previous cycles saw 3-4x moves from breakout levels

The Bear Case: $80K Retest

Why 19% of traders are betting on a major correction:

  • Overextended rally: 150%+ gain in 2024 may need consolidation
  • Profit taking: Early holders likely to take gains at psychological levels
  • Regulatory risk: Despite favorable admin, enforcement actions could resurface
  • Macro risk: Economic downturn could trigger risk-off selling
  • Historical precedent: 30-40% corrections are normal in bull markets

Polymarket vs. Derivatives Markets

How Polymarket odds compare to traditional crypto derivatives:

Market Type$150K 2026 ImpliedKey Difference
Polymarket54%Binary resolution, no leverage
Deribit Options~45%Pricing includes volatility premium
CME Futures~48%Institutional positioning, contango

Polymarket tends to be slightly more bullish than traditional derivatives markets—possibly reflecting retail optimism or the simplicity of binary betting.

Trading Strategies

Asymmetric Bets

Long-shot markets offer interesting risk/reward:

  • $200K at 28%: 3.5x payout if Bitcoin reaches $200K in 2026
  • Below $80K at 19%: 5x payout if major correction occurs
  • Position sizing is critical—these are speculative plays

Correlation Trades

Bitcoin markets correlate with other Polymarket events:

  • Fed rate decisions: Rate cuts often boost risk assets
  • Trump policy markets: Pro-crypto executive orders
  • Recession odds: Inverse correlation with BTC upside markets

Hedging BTC Holdings

Polymarket can serve as a hedge for spot Bitcoin positions:

  • Buy "Below $80K" to protect against major drawdowns
  • Lower cost than options, no margin requirements
  • Clear binary resolution vs. complex derivatives

Key Takeaways

  • $16M+ in volume across Polymarket Bitcoin price markets
  • 67% odds Bitcoin stays above $100K through December 31
  • 54% odds Bitcoin reaches $150K in 2026
  • 19% odds of $80K retest—bears aren't giving up
  • Trump administration policies driving bullish sentiment
  • Whale positioning suggests conviction with short-term caution

Track Bitcoin Whale Moves

As Bitcoin volatility continues, PolyTrack helps you identify large positions in crypto markets—see where smart money is betting on Bitcoin's next move.

Frequently Asked Questions

67% odds Bitcoin stays above $100K on December 31, 2025. For 2026: 71% odds above $125K, 54% odds above $150K, 28% odds above $200K, and 19% odds for below $80K.

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