Bitcoin (BTC) has been facing stiff resistance near $52,000, increasing the possibility of a short-term correction. The sideways action resulted in net outflows of roughly $36 million from the spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Feb. 21, according to various sources, including BitMEX Research. However, the bleeding stalled on Feb. 22, and the day saw net inflows of about $251 million into the ETFs.
Some analysts believe the markets are ready for a pullback before the halving in April. Popular trader and analyst Rekt Capital said Bitcoin’s current bull phase is similar to the 2016 and 2020 bull runs. If history repeats itself, “a pre-halving retrace” followed by “a post halving reaccumulation period” is possible.
Bitcoin’s hesitation to continue its rally has triggered profit-booking in select altcoins. A corrective phase is positive for the long-term health of the markets as it shakes out the weak hands and allows the stronger hands to add at lower levels.
What are the crucial support levels to watch out for on the downside in Bitcoin and altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin price analysis
The long tail on Bitcoin’s Nov. 21 candlestick shows that the bulls purchased the dip to the immediate support of $50,625, but could not overcome the barrier at $52,000.
The bears will again try to yank the price below $50,625. If they can pull it off, the BTC/USDT pair could plunge to the strong support at $48,970. A bounce off this level will indicate that the sentiment remains bullish and traders are buying on dips. The uptrend will resume on a break above $52,000. The pair could then reach $60,000.
However, the bears are likely to have other plans. They will try to pull the price below $48,970. If they do that, the selling could intensify, and the pair may nosedive to the 50-day SMA ($45,247).
Ether price analysis
Ether (ETH) tried to jump above the psychological resistance of $3,000 on Feb. 22, but the bears held their ground.
Sellers are trying to start a correction toward the breakout level of $2,717. This is an important level to watch out for because the 20-day EMA ($2,734) is nearby. If the price rebounds off $2,717 with force, it will indicate that the bulls have flipped the level into support. The bulls will then again attempt to clear the hurdle at $3,000. If they succeed, the ETH/USDT pair may reach $3,300.
The bears will have to tug and maintain the price below $2,717 to weaken the bulls. The pair may then tumble to the 50-day SMA ($2,497). Such a deeper fall could delay the start of the next leg of the uptrend.
BNB price analysis
BNB (BNB) resumed its uptrend after breaking above the $367 resistance on Feb. 21. The next target objective on the upside is $400.
The bears will try to stall the up move at $400, but if the bulls do not give up much ground from the level, it will indicate that every minor dip is being bought. That will improve the prospects of a rally to $460.
The first support on the downside is $368, and then the 20-day EMA ($344). If the supports fail to hold, the correction could reach the 50-day SMA ($318). This is an essential level for the bulls to defend because a break below it will signal a trend change.
Solana price analysis
Solana (SOL) bounced off the 50-day SMA ($99) on Feb. 21, but the bulls could not push the price above the 20-day EMA ($105).
The bears will try to strengthen their position by pulling the price below the 50-day SMA. If they do that, the SOL/USDT pair could descend to $93 and then to $80. This level is likely to attract aggressive buying by the bulls.
On the upside, the bulls will have to overcome the barrier at the downtrend line to signal that the correction may be over. The pair could then attempt a rally to $126, where the bears are likely to mount a strong defense.
XRP price analysis
XRP (XRP) formed an inside-day candlestick pattern on Feb. 22, indicating indecision between the buyers and sellers. This uncertainty resolved to the downside on Feb. 23, suggesting that the bears had overpowered the bulls.
The bears will try to sink the pair to the strong support zone between $0.48 and $0.46. A strong rebound of this zone suggests that the XRP/USDT pair remains range-bound between $0.46 and $0.57 for a few days.
The bulls will have to shove the price above $0.57 to indicate the start of a new up move. The pair will then attempt a rally to $0.67 and subsequently to the formidable resistance at $0.74.
Cardano price analysis
Cardano (ADA) is trying to take support at the 20-day EMA ($0.57), but the bears have not given up and are maintaining the selling pressure.
If the bears prevail, the ADA/USDT pair could skid to the 50-day SMA ($0.53). This is an important level for the bulls to defend because if this level gives way, the pair could plummet to the vital support at $0.46.
On the contrary, if the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA with strength, it will suggest that the sentiment remains positive and traders are buying on dips. The bulls will then try to overcome the resistance zone between $0.64 and $0.68.
Avalanche price analysis
Avalanche (AVAX) tried to start a recovery on Feb. 22, but the bears fiercely defended the 20-day EMA ($37.90). This suggests that recoveries are being sold into.
The bears continued selling on Feb. 23 and pulled the price below the 50-day SMA ($35.96). The AVAX/USDT pair could drop to the solid support at $32. A solid bounce off this level will suggest that the pair may oscillate between $32 and $42 for a while.
Contrarily, if the price turns up from the current level and rises above the 20-day EMA, it will suggest strong buying at lower levels. The bulls will then attempt to drive the price above $42 and complete the inverse head-and-shoulders pattern.
Related: Here’s what happened in crypto today
Dogecoin price analysis
The bulls are trying to maintain Dogecoin (DOGE) above the symmetrical triangle, while the bears are trying to pull the price back below it.
If the price rebounds off the current level, the bulls will try to propel the DOGE/USDT pair above the $0.09 resistance. If they succeed, the pair could start an uptrend toward the $0.10 to $0.11 resistance zone.
This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and plummets below the 50-day SMA ($0.08). The pair could then slump to the uptrend line. A break below this level will tilt the advantage in favor of the bears.
Chainlink price analysis
Chainlink (LINK) has pulled back in an uptrend. The bears are trying to drag the price to the breakout level of $17.32.
If the price rebounds off $17.32 with strength and rises above the 20-day EMA ($18.67), it will suggest that the bulls have flipped the level into support. That will increase the likelihood of a retest of $20.85.
The critical support to watch on the downside is the 50-day SMA ($16.65). If this level cracks, it will indicate that the bulls have given up. That may start a deeper correction to $15 and later to $12.85.
Polkadot price analysis
The bulls are trying to keep Polkadot (DOT) inside the ascending channel pattern, while the bears are striving to pull the price below it.
The flattish 20-day EMA ($7.41) and the RSI near the midpoint do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears. If the price breaks below the 50-day SMA ($7.17), the DOT/USDT pair could slide to $6.50.
On the other hand, a strong bounce off the current level will indicate that the bulls are fiercely defending the support line. That may keep the price inside the channel for some more time. The bulls will try to push the pair to the channel’s resistance line.
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.
