Why is Bitcoin price stuck?
Bitcoin 
BTCUSD price has been consolidating within a roughly $4,500 range since Feb. 5 as the $98,000 remains a stiff barrier.
Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and Bitstamp shows that BTC price oscillates within a tight range between $94,700 and $99,200.
Key reasons why Bitcoin price remains stuck today include:
Trump’s new tariffs on steel and aluminum add to market uncertainty.
Buying and selling pressure equilibrium with Bitcoin trapped between two levels.
Uncertainty surrounding Trump’s new tariffs
One significant factor contributing to Bitcoin's current price stagnation is the latest announcement by US President Trump to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.
What to know:
The new tariffs escalate the ongoing trade war, which has led to a dip in investor confidence.
There are fears these tariffs could lead to increased inflation, potentially prompting the Federal Reserve to maintain or even hike interest rates.
Higher interest rates typically make riskier investments like cryptocurrencies less attractive as safer assets like bonds become more appealing.
The immediate effect has been a sell-off in the crypto market. Bitcoin and other digital assets saw significant liquidations, as evidenced by over $2 billion in crypto liquidations reported in response to similar tariff news last week.
The new tariffs “cast doubt on last week’s temporary delay and could reignite trade tensions,” said investment firm QCP in a Telegram note to clients, adding:
Bitcoin is trapped between two trendlines
Another reason why Bitcoin price remains stuck with no clear directional bias is that it trades within two significant levels, as shown on the chart below:
On Feb. 5 BTC price fell below the 50-day simple moving average (SMA), or $99,709.
However, support was established by the 100 SMA at $95,825.
The appearance of doji candlesticks over the last four days suggests that there is a tug-of-war between the bears and the bulls within this area.
Bitcoin price must flip the 50 SMA to break out of consolidation and confront the resistance at the $100,000 psychological level.
Losing the 100-day SMA could lead to a deeper correction for BTC.
The Bitcoin liquidation heatmap below shows heavy ask orders around the 50-day SMA and bid positions just above the 100-day SMA, as shown in the figure below.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.