Top 5 cryptocurrencies to watch this week: BTC, VET, SOL, EOS, FTT

The bulls are trying to stabilize Bitcoin price and if they succeed, VET, SOL, EOS and FTT could quickly bounce back to their local highs.

Bitcoin (BTC) price witnessed a sharp dump to $50,900 on April 18, which some analysts attribute to a drop in hash rate and rumors of possible action by United States regulators against unnamed “financial institutions” alleging crypto-related money laundering.

While it is difficult to pinpoint a single reason, the sale of roughly $5 billion worth of COIN stock by Coinbase executives could have also played a major role in the fall. Insider selling, especially just a few days after a high-profile listing is considered a bearish sign.

*Crypto market data daily view. Source:* *Coin360*

After this most recent pullback, investors will be on the fence on whether they should buy the dips or close their positions in anticipation of further decline? Traders should keep a close watch on the strength in the recovery as that will provide an insight about the next possible move.

Let’s study the technicals of the top-5 cryptocurrencies that could attempt to lead the recovery in the next few days.

BTC/USDT

Bitcoin’s failure to rebound off the 20-day exponential moving average ($59,053) on April 17 showed the lack of buying on dips. The selling picked up pace today after the price slipped below the 50-day simple moving average ($56,264).

However, the long tail on today’s candlestick suggests that buyers are attempting to stall the decline at $50,460. If the rebound sustains, the bulls will again try to resume the uptrend but they are likely to face stiff resistance between $61,825.84 and $64,849.27. A breakout of this resistance zone will suggest that the current fall was only a pullback to shake out the weak hands.

On the other hand, the failure to sustain the rebound or build upon the bounce in the next few days will indicate that demand dries up at higher levels. That is likely to invigorate the bears who will then try to assert their dominance and break the $50,460 support.

If they manage to do that, selling could intensify as the short-term speculators and traders may also dump their positions. That could pull the price down to $43,006.77. This is an important level to watch out for because a break below it will suggest that the BTC/USDT pair has topped out in the short term.

*BTC/USDT 4-hour chart. Source:* *TradingView*

The 4-hour chart shows the bulls purchased the drop to $50,460 aggressively but the recovery is facing resistance at $56,500. This suggests that traders stuck at higher levels are closing their positions on rallies.

However, the positive sign is that the bulls have not given up the fight. They are trying to defend $53,000 support. This could result in a tight consolidation between $53,000 and $56,500 for a few days.

If the price breaks above $56,500, the pair could rally to the 20-EMA, which is again likely to act as a resistance. If the price turns down from this level, the pair could retest $53,000 and then $50,460.

The downsloping moving averages and the relative strength index (RSI) near the overbought territory show the bears have the upper hand.

VET/USDT

VeChain’s (VET) sharp rally on April 16 had pushed the RSI above 87, indicating the rally was getting overheated in the short term. The altcoin tried to extend its up-move on April 17 but the long wick on the day’s candlestick showed that traders booked profits at higher levels.

The selling continued today and the VET/USDT pair slumped to $0.169, just above the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.16. However, the long tail on today’s candlestick shows strong buying at lower levels.

If the bulls can sustain the rebound, the pair will once again attempt to rise to the overhead resistance at $0.279. A breakout of this resistance could resume the uptrend. The next target objective on the upside is $0.362.

On the other hand, if the price turns down from $0.279, the pair could remain stuck in a range for a few days. This positive view will invalidate if the bears sell on rallies and sink the price below the $0.16 support.

*VET/USDT 4-hour chart. Source:* *TradingView*

The 4-hour chart shows the bulls purchased the drop to the 50-SMA but the recovery hit a wall at $0.227. The bears tried to resume the correction but the bulls again purchased the dip below the 20-EMA. This shows bears are selling on rallies and bulls are buying on dips.

The bulls are currently attempting to sustain the price above the downtrend line but are facing stiff resistance from the bears. If they can overpower the bears and keep the price above the downtrend line, the pair could rally to $0.253 and then to $0.279.

Conversely, if the bears again sink the price below the 20-EMA, the pair could drop to the 50-SMA. A break below this level will tilt the advantage in favor of the bears.

SOL/USDT

Solana (SOL) had been in a corrective phase since hitting an all-time high at $29.92 on April 12. Although the price plunged below the 20-day EMA ($24.49) today, the bears could not capitalize on the advantage. The altcoin has quickly bounced back above the 20-day EMA, indicating strong demand at lower levels.

The upsloping moving averages and the RSI in the positive territory suggest that bulls have the upper hand. If they can drive the price above $29.92, the SOL/USDT pair could resume the uptrend and rally to $38.72.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down from the overhead resistance and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that traders are closing their positions on rallies. The pair could then decline to $21 and later to the 50-day SMA ($18.60).

*SOL/USDT 4-hour chart. Source:* *TradingView*

The 4-hour chart shows that the break below $24.70 attracted sharp selling but the bears could not sustain the lower levels. The pair rebounded strongly and climbed back above the $24.70 level.

If the bulls can propel the price above $28.64, a retest of $29.92 is possible. The 20-EMA is turning up and the RSI has jumped above 55, indicating the bulls have a slight advantage in the short term.

However, if the price turns down from the current level and breaks below $24.70, the next stop could be $21.10. Such a move will suggest that bears have overpowered the bulls, which could result in a deeper correction.

EOS/USDT

EOS turned down from the stiff overhead resistance at $8.69 after the bulls failed to push and sustain the price above it on April 16 and 17. The sharp selling pulled the price down to $5.86, just above the breakout level at $5.60.

If the bulls can flip $5.60 into support, the EOS/USDT pair could again try to move up to $8.69. A break above $8.69 may start the next leg of the uptrend that could reach $11. Alternatively, if the price turns down from $8.69, the pair could remain range-bound for a few days.

This positive view will be negated if the bears sell on rallies and sink the price below the breakout level at $5.60. Such a move could pull the price down to the 50-day SMA ($4.98), signaling that bears are back in the driver’s seat.

*EOS/USDT 4-hour chart. Source:* *TradingView*

The 4-hour chart shows the bulls are trying to start a relief rally. If they can sustain the price above $6.93, the pair could rally to the 20-EMA where the bears are likely to offer a stiff resistance.

If the price turns down from the 20-EMA, the pair may again drop to $6.17 and then to $5.60. Such a move will suggest that sentiment has turned negative and the bears are selling on rallies.

Conversely, if the bulls can push the price above the 20-EMA, the momentum could pick up and the pair could rally to $8.69.

FTT/USDT

FTX Token (FTT) has been in a corrective phase since topping out at $59.57 on April 14. The price plummeted below the 20-day EMA ($48) today but the long tail on the candlestick shows strong buying at lower levels.

If the bulls can sustain the price above the 20-day EMA, it will indicate that the uptrend remains intact. The bulls will then try to resume the uptrend by pushing the price above the $59.57 resistance.

If they succeed, the FTT/USDT pair could start its northward march toward the next target objective at $71.89.

Contrary to this assumption, if the bears sustain the price below the 20-day EMA, the selling could intensify, which could pull the price down to the 50-day SMA ($40). A break below this support will suggest that the pair has topped out in the short term.

*FTT/USDT 4-hour chart. Source:* *TradingView*

The 4-hour chart shows the bulls are trying to stall the correction between the 50% Fibonacci retracement level at $45.62 and the 61.8% retracement level at $42.33. The relief rally is likely to face stiff resistance from the 20-EMA.

If the price turns down from the 20-EMA, it will suggest that traders are selling on rallies. The bears will then try to sink the price below $44. If they succeed, the pair could slump to $40 and then to $37.

On the contrary, if the bulls can push the price above the 20-EMA, the pair may rally to $54.62 and then to $59.57.

The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph. Every investment and trading move involves risk, you should conduct your own research when making a decision.

Continue reading →

Bitcoin dips under $60,000 — What’s pulling down BTC price?

The price of Bitcoin suddenly dropped below $60,000 days after the Coinbase public listing.

The price of Bitcoin (BTC) declined below $60,000 on April 17 after a strong rally throughout the past week in anticipation of the Coinbase public listing on Nasdaq.

However, after the COIN listing, which is the ticker of the Coinbase stock, the cryptocurrency market started to correct.

*BTC/USDT 1-day price chart (Binance). Source: TradingView.com*

An expected Bitcoin sell-the-news drop

Coinbase’s public listing brought significant attention to the cryptocurrency market. It marked the first public listing of a major cryptocurrency exchange, leading to high institutional demand.

As a result, the cryptocurrency market rallied leading up to the listing with BTC price hitting new all-time highs above $64,00. However, it was almost expected to see Bitcoin and Ether (ETH) drop after the fact, considering the tendency of cryptocurrencies to sell off after a major event.

Another major factor that contributed to the drop in price was the relatively high funding rates for longing Bitcoin. This, alongside strong technical resistance at $64,000-$65,000 were the likely reasons that BTC tested $60,000 support after the hype around Coinase’s listing began to fade.

*Bitcoin funding rates. Source: Bybt.com*

Meanwhile, the $60,000 level is an important price point for Bitcoin because it took roughly a month for BTC to break out above it.

Hence, it is important for Bitcoin to hold the $60,000 area to maintain the bullish market structure heading into next week.

Traders predict what would likely come next

At the same time, cryptocurrency traders are mixed regarding where Bitcoin will go with its new weekly candle.

For instance, Cantering Clark, a popular cryptocurrency derivatives trader, said that the market isn’t necessarily bullish nor bearish, based on options data.

*The Bitcoin options market open interest is ranging. Source: Bybt.com*

Instead, Clark noted that the options market trend shows that Bitcoin would likely see sideways actions, which would mean consolidation at around $60,000. He wrote:

“50k and 80k strikes highest contract/notional for $BTC I think these writers will be happy and I am still in the same opinion that the end of April – May begins the shift that makes Bitcoin a less favorable long. No breakout, just range and rotation.”

In the long term, traders are still optimistic about Bitcoin. A pseudonymous trader known as “Crypto Capo” noted that based on historical trends, Bitcoin has broken out of a range that goes back 1,000 days.

The trader emphasized:

“Now some $BTC technical analysis. Bitcoin has broken out of an accumulation range of over 1000 days. This usually results in long extensions. Currently, the increase over the previous ATH is only 200%.”

Continue reading →

Price analysis 4/16: BTC, ETH, BNB, XRP, DOGE, ADA, DOT, LTC, UNI, LINK

Bitcoin’s weakness and Dogecoin’s epic pump are signals that the market could be overheating and in need of a short-term correction.

Dogecoin’s (DOGE) massive rally to $0.45 propelled it to a market capitalization of over $54 billion to make it the fifth most valuable cryptocurrency by market cap.

This lofty market cap comes as a surprise to many since the project has no active developers and is only a meme coin, thus the current rally brings back memories of the excesses seen during the ICO boom in 2017.

Rallies like the one seen in Dogecoin indicate that several traders have entered the fray and are looking to get rich overnight. The only positive sign is that the mania has not spread to other coins. If it does, then the crypto markets are likely to witness a sharp correction in order to shake out the weak hands.

CNBC host Jim Cramer has become one of the first well-known people to reveal that he closed half of his Bitcoin (BTC) position. While Cramer’s selling is an isolated event, it does warn that not all professional investors who have recently turned Bitcoin believers are going to be long-term HODLers.

*Daily cryptocurrency market performance. Source:* *Coin360*

If the institutional investors rush to the exit, it could cause a huge correction in several cryptocurrencies. Traders should be mindful of irrational exuberance and avoid being sucked into FOMO-driven trades as it’s better to stick to a trading plan and think long-term rather than dream of overnight riches.

Let’s study the charts of the top-10 cryptocurrencies to identify the critical support levels and outline various bullish and bearish scenarios.

BTC/USDT

The bulls could not capitalize and build upon the breakout of the overhead resistance zone at $60,000 to $61,825.84 on April 13. Bitcoin price turned down on April 14 after hitting an all-time high at $64,849.27 and the bulls are currently attempting to flip the $60,000 level to support.

If they manage to do that, the BTC/USDT pair may make one more attempt to resume the uptrend. A breakout of $64,849.27, could start the next leg of the uptrend that could reach $69,540 and then $79,566.

However, the negative divergence on the relative strength index (RSI) is warning of a possible correction. Interestingly, the price reversed direction when the RSI had reached close to the downtrend line.

If the price dips below the 20-day exponential moving average ($59,427), it will be the first sign that buyers may be losing their grip. The break below the 50-day simple moving average ($55,814) will further cement the view that a deeper correction is likely.

The bulls may attempt to arrest the decline near $50,460.02 but if this level cracks, the pair could drop to the critical support at $43,006.77.

ETH/USDT

Ether (ETH) extended its uptrend and hit an all-time high at $2,545.80 today. Profit-booking by traders pulled the price down to $2,300 but the long tail on the day’s candlestick suggests that bulls continue to buy on dips.

If the price recovers and the bulls push the price above $2,545.8, the ETH/USDT pair could start the next leg of the uptrend. The next target objective on the upside is $2,745 and then the psychological level at $3,000.

The upsloping 20-day EMA ($2,131) and the RSI near the overbought territory suggest the path of least resistance is to the upside. This bullish view will be invalidated if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA. Such a move could pull the price down to $1,925.10.

BNB/USDT

Binance Coin (BNB) formed a Doji candlestick pattern on April 14 and that was followed by an inside day candlestick pattern on April 15. Both these setups indicate indecision among the bulls and the bears. This uncertainty resolved to the downside today.

However, a minor positive is that the bulls are defending the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $483.95, as seen from the long tail on the day’s candlestick. The bulls will now try to push the BNB/USDT pair above the all-time high at $638.56 and resume the uptrend.

Conversely, a break below $483.95 could pull the price down to the 20-day EMA ($437). A break below this support will suggest that the traders are rushing to the exit and that could result in a drop to the breakout level at $348.69.

XRP/USDT

XRP is currently correcting the sharp rally. The bulls are attempting to defend the first support at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $1.48, as seen from the long tail on the day’s candlestick.

The XRP/USDT pair may now consolidate between $1.48 and $1.96 for a few days before starting the next trending move.

A break above $1.96 could start the next leg of the uptrend that could reach $2.54. The rising moving averages and the RSI in the overbought zone suggest the bulls have the upper hand.

Contrary to this positive assumption, if the bears sink the price below the $1.48 support, the pair could drop to the 20-day EMA ($1.18). Such a move will suggest the bullish momentum has weakened and that could delay the next leg of the uptrend.

DOGE/USDT

Dogecoin’s momentum has been picking up since the past three days and that has resulted in the massive pump today. This shows that more and more traders are getting sucked into the trade due to FOMO.

Usually, such buying frenzies end in a major top formation. After the last bull has purchased, the price reverses direction and the waterfall decline starts. It is difficult to predict a top during such a frenzy but the psychological $0.50 level may act as a hurdle.

The decline after the DOGE/USDT pair tops out is likely to be vicious. The usual 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level may not hold and the pair is likely to drop to the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.20.

Traders should control the urge to get into such trades even at the risk of missing out on some profits.

ADA/USDT

Cardano (ADA) has been facing a tough battle between the bull and the bears near $1.48 for the past two days. Although the bulls managed to push the price above $1.48 today, the bears have been quick to pull the price back below the level.

After the third unsuccessful attempt to sustain the price above $1.48, the bulls seem to have dumped their positions today, resulting in the formation of an outside day candlestick pattern.

However, the long tail on today’s candlestick suggests the bulls bought the dips to the 20-day EMA ($1.28) aggressively. The bulls may now make one more attempt to drive the price above the $1.48 to $1.55 resistance zone.

If they manage to do that, the ADA/USDT pair could resume the uptrend and start the journey toward $2. Conversely, a break below the moving averages could offer the bears an opportunity to sink the price to $1.03.

DOT/USDT

The bulls pushed Polkadot (DOT) above the $42.28 level on April 13 but could not challenge the all-time high at $46.80. This shows a lack of demand at higher levels. The altcoin has dropped below $42.28 today and the bears will now try to sink the price below the 20-day EMA ($40).

If they succeed, the selling could pick up further as the bulls may rush to cover their positions. Such a move could sink the DOT/USDT pair to $32.50 and then to the critical support at $26.50.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price again rebounds off the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that bulls have not given up. They will make one more attempt to thrust the price above the $46.80 resistance and resume the uptrend.

LTC/USDT

Litecoin (LTC) is in a strong uptrend. The bears had tried to start a correction today but the bulls purchased the dips aggressively as seen from the long tail on the day’s candlestick. The reversal may have caught several aggressive bears on the wrong foot, which could be the reason for the pick-up in momentum.

The LTC/USDT pair has broken out of the target objective at $307.42, clearing the path for a rally to $374. However, the RSI above 76 signals caution because, in the past, the pair has repeatedly entered a correction when the RSI level reaches close to 80.

The critical support to watch on the downside is the 20-day EMA ($241). A break below this support will be the first sign that the bulls are tiring and a deeper correction is likely.

UNI/USDT

Uniswap (UNI) broke out to a new all-time high on April 15 but the bulls are struggling to sustain the higher levels. When the price fails to follow up higher after breaking out of a significant resistance, it indicates exhaustion.

However, the long tail on the day’s candlestick suggests the bulls continue to buy on dips. If the buyers can propel the price above the all-time high at $39.60, the UNI/USDT pair could rally to $43.43 and then $50.

On the other hand, if the price again turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA ($32), several aggressive bulls who had purchased the breakout of $35.20 may bail out of their positions. The long liquidation could pull the price down to $27.97.

LINK/USDT

Chainlink (LINK) surged above the $36.93 overhead resistance on April 14, signaling the resumption of the uptrend. The altcoin hit an all-time high at $44.33 where profit-booking set in.

However, the long tail on the day’s candlestick suggests that the bulls aggressively purchased the dip to $38.52 today. This indicates that the sentiment remains positive and the bulls are buying at lower levels.

The buyers will now try to resume the uptrend by pushing the price above $44.33. If they succeed, the LINK/USDT pair could rally to $50.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price again turns down and breaks below the $36.93 support, the pair could drop to the 20-day EMA ($34). If this support cracks, the decline could extend to the 50-day SMA ($30).

The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph. Every investment and trading move involves risk. You should conduct your own research when making a decision.

Market data is provided by HitBTC exchange.

Continue reading →

Our Man in Shanghai: Coinbase listing scorned, graphics cards seized, nostalgia coins rule

Coinbase and cryptocurrencies viewed cynically on Chinese social media, and news of a large mining GPU smuggling bust in Hong Kong.

It was a relatively quiet week in China’s blockchain space as events were overshadowed by the surge in the BTC price and the Coinbase direct listing in the U.S. Many locals reacted with surprise to the news, showing that exposure to cryptocurrencies is still relatively isolated in the world’s most populous country.

Many netizens responded skeptically to the Coinbase story, with news aggregation account “Jiemian” on Weibo calling Bitcoin a scam, highlighting its connection to terrorists, and encouraging investors to stick to China’s A-shares. (For a quick comparison, the Shanghai composite index is down 2.13% this year, while Bitcoin has a YTD return of over 116%.) Jiemian has over 10 million followers on Weibo, but caters to a more traditional audience. The takeaway here is that despite China’s aggressive adoption of DCEP (Digital Currency Electronic Payment, also known as the digital yuan), other digital payments, and internet technology, cryptocurrency acceptance remains relatively isolated.

Some experts on China’s blockchain industry spoke to Cointelegraph regarding DCEP on April 10th, discussing how the digital yuan has affected the space. Kevin Shao, co-founder of Bitrise Capital, summed up the situation by stating that “overall, China’s digital currency still serves the central bank’s monetary policy and monetary functions.” It’s safe to say that the rapid DCEP advancement has little cross-over with the country’s active blockchain space, and probably will remain independent for the foreseeable future.

While all that was going on, volumes were spiking on cryptocurrency exchanges around the world. Huobi, China’s largest exchange by liquidity, experienced a wave of trading on more established tokens. The top seven most traded on Thursday were BTC, DOGE, ETH, XRP, FIL, TRX and BCH. All of these projects have roots in previous bull runs, showing that nostalgia is not lost on Chinese investors.

Graphics cards seized by Hong Kong Customs

Customs in Hong Kong have busted a smuggling operation involving nearly 300 graphics cards, which are suspected to be Nvidia CMP 30HX models and worth about 2 million RMB, or $300,000. There were no labels on the front of the graphics cards, and this particular model comes without a video output port, and is built exclusively for cryptocurrency mining. According to a source, this is the first time that Hong Kong Customs has seized graphics cards smuggled for the purpose of mining.

The state of media blockchain content

Finally, in policy news, The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television issued standards for blockchain-related media content. The standard system is intended to promote healthy and sustainable content pertaining to the use of blockchain in industries such as auditing systems, business processes, food safety and management. The State Administration is very proactive with its standards, detailing how technologies, trends, and other themes should be portrayed in the media.

This weekly roundup of news from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong attempts to curate the industry’s most important news, including influential projects, changes in the regulatory landscape, and enterprise blockchain integrations.

Continue reading →

$420M in leveraged long traders liquidated after XRP rallies to $1.96

XRP price dropped by 20% shortly after making a 2021 high at $1.96, but have the altcoin’s bullish fundamentals changed?

XRP holders couldn’t have asked for a better year as the cryptocurrency rallied almost 800% and flirted with a $2 level in the early hours of April 14.

In addition to achieving its highest level since January 2018, this robust price increase signals that investors are not worried about the ongoing SEC “unregistered securities offering” dispute.

However, just 6 hours after rallying to $1.96, XRP price crashed by more than 20%. During an interview, DCG Group CEO Barry Silbert said it would be risky for exchanges and companies in the United States to relist XRP ahead of receiving the SEC’s blessing. These remarks may have contributed to the unprecedented $420 million long liquidations on derivatives exchanges today.

*XRP price in USDT at Binance. Source: TradingView*

Over the past couple of weeks, the primary catalysts for XRP’s rally have been victories in Ripple’s legal battles. Lawyers representing Ripple were granted access to internal SEC discussions regarding cryptocurrencies, and more recently, a court denied the disclosure of two Ripple executives’ financial records, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse.

Considering the recent rally, pinpointing a single reason for the price correction will likely be inaccurate. Nevertheless, the impressive $420 million long liquidations past 24-hours exceed those of Feb. 1 when XRP price crashed by 46% in two hours.

*XRP futures aggregate liquidations. Source: Bybt*

The only logical reason behind this staggering liquidation is excessive leverage used by buyers. To confirm such a thesis, one must analyze the perpetual contracts funding rate. To balance their risks, exchanges will charge either longs or shorts depending on how much leverage each side is demanding.

*XRP perpetual futures 8-hour funding rate. Source: Bybt*

The chart above shows that the 8-hour funding rate is surpassing 0.25%, which is equivalent to 5.4% per week. Although this is excessive, buyers will withstand these fees during strong price rallies. For example, the current upward price move lasted for almost three weeks, and prior to that another took place in early February.

Blaming the liquidations exclusively on leverage seems a bit extreme, although it certainly played its part in amplifying today’s correction.

Moreover, the record growth in XRP futures open interest was accompanied by a hike in the volume at spot exchanges. As a result, the eventual impact from more significant liquidations should have been absorbed by the increased liquidity.

Cascading liquidations will always take place in volatile markets. Thus investors should focus on how long it takes until the price recovers from it.

Fundamentally, a 10% or 20% intraday drop should not be interpreted differently. The correction depends on how many bids were previously stacked at exchange orderbooks and is not directly related to investors’ bullish or bearish sentiment.

The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph. Every investment and trading move involves risk. You should conduct your own research when making a decision.

Continue reading →