TLDR
- CME Bitcoin futures reopened this week with a sharp $6,800 price gap from the previous close.
- This gap is the second-largest ever recorded in CME Bitcoin futures trading history.
- Spot Bitcoin traded in the high $77,000s range as the market adjusted to recent volatility.
- January ended with a nearly 10 percent drop in Bitcoin, marking one of its weakest monthly closes in over a decade.
- Analysts attributed the late-January decline to shrinking liquidity and over $1.3 billion in forced liquidations.
CME Bitcoin futures reopened this week with a sharp gap, showing a $6,800 drop from Friday’s close, while spot prices adjusted, volatility rose and institutional positioning shifted defensively as Bitcoin struggled after one of its weakest January closes in over a decade.
Bitcoin Futures Show Sharp Gap as January Ends Lower
Bitcoin started the new week with a large price gap on the CME exchange after a weak monthly close in January. The CME Bitcoin futures opened at around $77,730, a sharp drop from Friday’s close of $84,560. This $6,800 drop marks the second-largest futures gap ever recorded on the CME platform.
The spot Bitcoin price also hovered in the high $77,000s as markets processed the recent decline. Trading activity surged with increased volatility while leverage fell sharply across futures markets. These trends pointed to defensive repositioning by traders and institutions following January’s losses.
Because CME Bitcoin futures close over weekends, gaps often occur when price moves sharply outside trading hours. When futures reopened Monday, the gap reflected the continued decline from late January. Traders now watch closely to see if Bitcoin fills this gap in the coming days.
PlanB, a market analyst, said on social media, “The monthly RSI dropped below 50,” highlighting growing bearish sentiment. He added that long-term averages are now drifting toward the $55,000 level. These shifts may suggest more downside potential if current market dynamics persist.
Bitcoin closed January at $78,635 (-38% from ath)
200 Week Moving Average $58k
Realized Price $55k, decreasing
RSI dropped below 50, blue: official bear territory
Historically BTC could drop to 200WMA/RP levels
However bull has been weak (no red) so bear might be shallow pic.twitter.com/Mxps9J5wLB— PlanB (@100trillionUSD) February 1, 2026
CME Bitcoin Futures Reflect Institutional Defensive Moves
CME Bitcoin futures are used mainly by hedge funds, institutional players, and professional trading desks. These contracts, being regulated and cash-settled, often guide sentiment for larger market players. Because of the weekend closure, price dislocations create large gaps when futures reopen.
This week, the $6,800 gap points to a wide divergence between spot and futures pricing during the weekend. As Bitcoin declined in late January, many positions were liquidated, which likely caused the open to reflect that pressure. The reopening showed traders reacting swiftly to worsening technicals.
Liquidity also played a key role in the late-January drop. According to The Kobeissi Letter, over $1.3 billion in long positions were liquidated across just two days. This contributed to rapid selling pressure and widened the divergence in the futures market.
Why is crypto crashing today? Here's exactly why:
Crypto's downturn is being blamed on just about every possible thing, ranging from Iran to the Fed.
However, the answer to this question is actually quite simple when you look at the flow data.
Why is Bitcoin below $79,000?… pic.twitter.com/HLvWCiIRyw
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 31, 2026
The gap may influence short-term strategies in the futures and spot markets. Traders often monitor such gaps for potential “filling,” which could drive volatility. However, current positioning appears cautious, which may limit aggressive upward momentum.
Bitcoin Price Weakens as January Closes Down Nearly 10%
Bitcoin began January strong, trading above $88,000 and briefly reaching the $90,000s in mid-month. However, momentum faded, and sellers began to dominate. By the final week, Bitcoin dropped rapidly, closing January near $78,600.
This marked a nearly 10% drop for the month, one of the worst January performances in over ten years. Technical indicators have turned bearish as traders shifted toward defensive allocations. Increased turnover and reduced leverage reflect that risk appetite has cooled.
Robert Kiyosaki offered a different view, saying on X, “I am buying more Bitcoin, gold, and silver,” as he sees current weakness as an opportunity. His position contrasts with more cautious institutional sentiment. This divergence underscores mixed views in the current environment.
