Gold at $5,000 and Silver at $100: Is Bitcoin dead?

Historic Rally: Gold and Silver Smash Through Resistance

The financial market is experiencing a historic day this January 23, 2026. While eyes were focused on the usual volatility of digital assets, it’s the “old guard” that’s creating the surprise. Gold and silver are currently achieving a massive breakout, leaving Bitcoin (BTC) in a puzzling phase of stagnation.

This dynamic raises a crucial question for crypto traders: is the digital gold narrative on pause, or are we simply witnessing a sector rotation before a BTC explosion?

It’s a scenario that few analysts had anticipated with such violence. The ounce of gold is now flirting with the psychological barrier of $5,000, a level never reached that confirms the voracious appetite of institutions for the ultimate safe haven asset. This movement is not a simple volatility spike, but a fundamental trend where the yellow metal grinds higher methodically without offering any real entry point for latecomers.

But the real star of the day could well be silver. The grey metal, often lagging behind, is displaying explosive dynamics and dangerously approaching $100. Volatility data indicates that silver is currently absorbing a large portion of the speculative momentum, acting as a liquidity magnet. Over the past 12 months, Bitcoin has dropped 11%, while silver has exploded by 208%.

The prediction markets are going wild and are now pricing in a continuation of this rally. For traders accustomed to crypto cycles, this movement bears a striking resemblance to the beginning of an Altseason on commodities, where silver outperforms gold in a euphoric phase.

Furthermore, according to Northstar, the Bitcoin bear market against precious metals is only just beginning, as the BTC/GLD ratio has just broken a crucial support level.

Bitcoin in Consolidation Phase: The Calm Before the Storm?

While precious metals are soaring, Bitcoin is displaying anemic performance. The crypto market leader remains stuck in a tight range, unable for now to keep pace with gold. This temporary decoupling frustrates BTC holders, accustomed to seeing their asset react positively to inflation signals or monetary uncertainty.

However, calling this movement bearish would be premature. In technical analysis, Bitcoin’s current behavior more closely resembles an accumulation phase. Volumes are declining, a sign that sellers are exhausting themselves, but buyers are waiting for a clear signal—probably a breakout in metals or stabilization—to return in force.

It’s common to observe this type of rotation: liquidity first moves toward the most liquid and traditional assets (Gold/Silver) before trickling down to higher risk assets (Bitcoin, then Altcoins). BTC could simply be building solid support before attempting its own rally.

Why This Divergence Could Be a Massive Buy Signal?

Financial market history teaches us that gold often acts as a scout. When gold breaks a major ATH, it validates a macroeconomic environment favorable to limited supply assets (Hard Assets). Bitcoin, as digital gold, almost systematically ends up catching up with its physical counterpart.

The current stagnation could therefore be a “golden opportunity” for savvy investors. If Bitcoin manages to hold its current levels without suffering a major correction despite selling pressure, the next bullish impulse could be violent.

Moreover, if silver reaches $100, it could trigger massive profit-taking. This capital, once freed, will seek a new home offering returns and volatility. The crypto market, with its recent corrections, appears as the ideal candidate to welcome this flow of liquidity.

Despite everything, signals show that Bitcoin could still drop to 60, or even 50k$ this year.

Can Bitcoin Catch Up and Target a New ATH?

If gold crosses $5,000 and settles there, the psychological pressure on Bitcoin to perform will become unbearable. Investors will not tolerate for long that digital gold underperforms physical gold in such a context.

On-chain indicators suggest that Whales continue to accumulate discreetly in this zone of indecision. But we must not forget that Bitcoin now depends on the SP500 and the stock market as ETFs greatly contribute to Bitcoin’s volatility.

According to Killa, the SP500 could suffer a drop similar to that of 2025 this year. It is therefore necessary to closely monitor the stock market in the coming weeks.

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