Bitcoin prices trade sideways – is this make or break for BTC?
Bitcoin prices remain rangebound - 2017 high holds as critical resistance; BTC/USD threatens trendline resistance, but bears fight back and USD weakness boost stocks while cryptocurrency lags.
Bitcoin technical analysis
Bitcoin prices have continued to consolidate within a narrow range, formed by key technical levels of prior moves. With earnings season currently underway, resilient earnings from Goldman Sachs and a weaker US dollar allowed major stock indices to hold gains, driving equity futures higher.
Although there has been a positive correlation (they generally move in the same direction) between stocks and cryptocurrency throughout the year, BTC/USD has remained constrained by technical resistance which continues to hold firm.
With a broader range forming between 17,792 (the 78.6% Fib of the 2020 – 2021 move) and 20,500, the 19,666 has proven to be another big level for both the short and long-term move.
For those who may recall, this level was the prior all-time high that capped the upside move in December 2017 and then again in December 2020. Now, almost two-years later and this level continues to hold bulls at bay.
Range fundamentals
Bitcoin (BTC/USD) weekly chart
As bulls struggle to clear trendline resistance (from the 2021 high), the daily chart below further highlights the short-bodied candles that have been forming over recent weeks. With a tighter range forming between 18,183 (support that has held since June) and 19,666, a break of either side could fuel momentum, opening the door for a breakout.
Bitcoin (BTC/USD) daily chart
However, with the above-mentioned range currently intact, the below levels may provide an additional catalyst for price action.
Bitcoin (BTC/USD) key levels
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