|

Explosive move in BTC/USD could be close at hand

After almost three months of choppy price action bitcoin is much closer to breaking out to the upside than the downside. 

Price contraction is followed by expansion

So far, February is an inside month and March is a potential inside month. An inside month is where the high-to-low price range of each month is contained within the range of the prior month of January. If March closes inside the price range of February, we’ll have a double inside month setup, preparing the way for possibly an even more explosive move. 

Watch for decisive breakout

A decisive break out of the inside month can be used as a trigger for entry as it is indicating that a continuation of the larger uptrend is likely. February’s high was approximately $45,862 (specific price may vary slightly depending on data source). A daily close above February’s high will confirm a breakout.

Subsequently, Bitcoin has a shot at an eventual new high and certainly a test of prior highs.

Supporting evidence:

  • Past three months held support around the 21-month exponential moving average (ema).
  • Each month closed above the lower quarter of the range, assuming March does same.
  • Bitcoin is in a clear long-term uptrend.
  • Most recent swing low of January bottom is above the prior swing lows. 
  • Retracement off the April ’21 swing high found support quite a bit above the prior high around $19,999 from Dec. ’17. It would be perfectly normal for price to have tested that price area yet buying was strong enough to hold it at a higher price ($28,700).
  • Currently, on the weekly chart, both the 21 and 55-week ema’s have converged, reflecting price compression. 
  • Recent lows found support around the 50% retracement of the fully rally from the Dec. ’18 low.

Author

Bruce Powers, CMT

Bruce Powers, CMT

Markets Today

Bruce Powers, CMT, is a global markets technical analyst covering stocks, market indices, and ETFs, cryptocurrencies, Forex, oil and metals.

More from Bruce Powers, CMT
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

XRP rebounds amid ETF inflows and declining retail demand demand

XRP rebounds as bulls target a short-term breakout above $2.00 on Friday. XRP ETFs record the highest inflow since December 8, signaling growing institutional appetite.

Bitcoin Price Annual Forecast: BTC holds long-term bullish structure heading into 2026

Bitcoin (BTC) is wrapping up 2025 as one of its most eventful years, defined by unprecedented institutional participation, major regulatory developments, and extreme price volatility.

World Liberty Financial recovers as community votes to unlock treasury funds for USD1 adoption

World Liberty Financial recovers over 3% on Friday, holding ground at a key support trendline. Community begins voting to unlock roughly 5% WLFI treasury funds to incentivize USD1 stablecoin adoption.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid bearish market conditions

Bitcoin (BTC) is edging higher, trading above $88,000 at the time of writing on Monday. Altcoins, including Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP), are following in BTC’s footsteps, experiencing relief rebounds following a volatile week.

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.