Bitcoin Rises To New 2026 High of $94k Despite ‘Bearish’ ISM Data Reading

Bitcoin started the week with strong upward momentum and reached a new 2026 high near $94,000. The move came despite weak U.S. manufacturing data that signaled continued economic contraction. The price briefly touched $94,000 before pulling back slightly, while still holding most of the session’s gains.

Bitcoin Rises Despite Weak ISM Data

Cryptocurrency increased over the day more than 3% and recorded its highest mark in the course of nearly four weeks. The rise came as part of a general risk asset upturn. The market players remained interested in exposure despite adverse macroeconomic conditions.

U.S. institute of Supply management (ISM) report indicated that there was additional weakness in the manufacturing activity as of December. The Index of the ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers dropped by 47.9 to 48.2 in November. This was lower than the market forecast of 48.3 and it stretched the contraction period to the tenth month in a row.

The rest of the report indicated mixed signals. The Employment Index also added marginally to 44.9 as compared to 44 in the last month. Prices Paid Index, which is a measure of the inflation pressure, was stable at 58.5 and it showed that input costs have been maintained high as activity slows.

According to Susan Spence, chairwoman of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, the drop was an indication of more severe drawbacks in production and inventories. She reported that the total PMI decreased by 0.3 percentage points. Spence also indicated that demand measures were still contracting but improved in terms of new orders, order backlogs and export demand.

In an X post, analyst Bull Theory, the PMI indicator must reach a reading of over 50 to sustain the momentum trend of bullish trading in risk assets like Bitcoin and the crypto market as a whole. According to the analyst, the long-term feeble nature may put pressure on the Federal Reserve. Further policy action might emerge earlier in the case of further worsening of economic conditions.

However, analyst Milk Road, pointed to the duration of the manufacturing downturn. The analyst observed that capital allocation will be defensive as long as the PMI readings are below 50. Such an environment restricts the flow rate of liquidity into exposure to higher risk.

BTC Gains Support From Improving Structure and U.S. Demand

Structural signals around Bitcoin remained intact despite macro headwinds. Regulatory clarity in the U.S. is better while policy frameworks are developing in Japan. Bank of America has as well, detailed work with on-chain infrastructure to contribute to market visibility looking out long term.

Demand moved higher in the U.S. demand indicators saw some active buying interest return. In the first week of 2026, the Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index went positive. The metric hit a nine-month low on Jan. 1, when Bitcoin traded close to $88,000.

Investor risk appetite remained intact despite heightened geopolitical tensions following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to the United States. Bitcoin’s advance aligned with gains across traditional markets, as gold, silver, and U.S. equities all posted session highs.