|

BTC/USD exits tight range but risks remain

BTC/USD (Bitcoin) returned to a consolidation mode near $31,500 after Monday’s dynamic bullish breakout pushed the price out of the two-week-old tight range and above the 20-day simple moving average (SMA).
 

Although the positive adjustment in the neutral structure looks promising, the technical indicators keep feeding some pessimism. The RSI has returned to its 50 neutral mark after barely climbing above it, while the MACD is still within the negative zone despite improving above its red signal line. Meanwhile, the Stochastics are printing a bearish cross in the overbought zone, adding some caution as well.

Should the bulls regain control, immediate resistance could come near the tentative descending trendline ahead of the 50-day SMA at $34,635, which corresponds with the lows from the first quarter. The next target might be the area between 37,760 and $39,800, while higher, a close above the 200-day SMA at $42,463 could produce sharper increases.

On the downside, the 20-day SMA and the $30,000 level could be critical. If the crypto slides below that threshold, cracking the floor at $28,000 too, all eyes will turn to the more than a year-low of $25,390. Failure to bounce on the latter could generate another bearish extension to $24,000.

Summing up, the popular crypto has somewhat upgraded its short-term outlook, though the technical picture suggests that it’s not out of the woods yet. Nearby resistance could occur around $34,636, while a flip back below $30,000 is expected to bring sellers back into play. 

Author

Christina Parthenidou

Christina joined the XM investment research department in May 2017. She holds a master degree in Economics and Business from the Erasmus University Rotterdam with a specialization in International economics.

More from Christina Parthenidou
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT), adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets (RWA).

Sberbank issues Russia's first corporate loan backed by Bitcoin

Russia's largest bank Sberbank launched the country's first Bitcoin-backed corporate loan to miner Intelion Data. The pilot deal uses cryptocurrency as collateral through Sberbank's proprietary Rutoken custody solution.

Bitcoin recovers to $87,000 as retail optimism offsets steady ETF outflows

Bitcoin (BTC) trades above $88,000 at press time on Tuesday, following a rejection at $90,000 the previous day. Institutional support remains mixed amid steady outflow from US spot BTC Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Strategy Inc.’s acquisition of 1,229 BTC last week.

Traders split over whether lighter’s LIT clears $3 billion FDV after launch

Lighter’s LIT token has not yet begun open trading, but the market has already drawn a sharp line around its valuation after Tuesday's airdrop.

Orange Juice Newsletter – Smart insights by real people. Every day.

A free newsletter highlighting key market trends to help traders stay a step ahead. Daily insights on the most relevant trading topics, compiled by our experts in an easy-to-read format so you never miss an important move.

Bitcoin: Fed delivers, yet fails to impress BTC traders

Bitcoin (BTC) continues de trade within the recent consolidation phase, hovering around $92,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors digest the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) cautious December rate cut and its implications for risk assets.