Bitcoin Price Ping Pong Within Tighter Range Hinting at $8.5K Next

The price of Bitcoin (BTC), the top-ranked cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has seen a spike towards $10,500 before the halving took place on May 11. However, the price of Bitcoin has been having problems since the halving and is currently showing more signs of weakness.

On the other hand, altcoins have been starting to show signs of life with the BTC market dominance index sliding from 67% to 65% after the halving. Is the momentum now shifting towards altcoins from Bitcoin as the most anticipated event is behind us? 

Crypto market daily performance. Source: Coin360

Bitcoin price is hovering inside a wide range as volatility drops

The price of Bitcoin is stuck inside a wide range as the next chart shows. The resistance area in the red zone between $9,800 and $10,100. At the same time, the price is finding support in the $8,250-8,500 area.

Additionally, BTC is moving above the 100-day and 200-day moving averages (MA), a bullish sign for the markets. 

BTC USD 1-day chart. Source: TradingView

As the halving hype is slowly fading and the market goes back to its daily rhythm, the price of Bitcoin is also stabilizing. Is that unusual? 

No, that’s normal. The halving was such a big event for Bitcoin that the hype on social media can create unsustainable price rallies and drops around the event. 

BTC USD 2016 halving 1-day chart. Source: TradingView

The previous halving shows a similar structure. The price of Bitcoin moved significantly in the run-up to the event, then a pre-halving crash occurred and a new range was established. Throughout the month, the price of Bitcoin consolidated inside a range. 

Afterward, one more drop occurred and the market continued its upward momentum while holding the 200-MA as support until the peak in December 2017.

Bitcoin fails to break $10,000 and drops out of the rising wedge

BTC USD 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

As the 4-hour chart is showing, the price of Bitcoin lost the rising wedge structure and broke down. In other words, another failure breaking through the $10,000 psychological barrier.

Alongside the drop, the price lost the support at $9,300. Recent moves have also confirmed this level as resistance as well. However, support was found at $8,900 as the chart is showing.

What’s next? Is the upwards momentum over? Or is the market simply returning back to normal with altcoins gaining more attention?

Total market cap holds above 200-day MA

Total market capitalization cryptocurrency 1-day chart. Source: TradingView

The total market capitalization is still holding the 100-day and 200-day MAs as support, which is crucial for further upwards momentum.

However, the market cap itself is currently consolidating after a 120% surge in a matter of eight weeks. What’s the crucial level to hold? It’s the grey box at $220-225 billion. 

If that level remains support, the total market cap will be in prime position for a surge toward $300+ billion, possibly even $360 billion. However, losing that key level can see a fast drop.

The significance of this level lies in the fact that it’s both the 100-day and 200-day MA acting as support confluent with a strong horizontal support level, which served as support throughout 2018. 

Total market capitalization cryptocurrency 1-day chart. Source: TradingView

Thus, not only will $220-225 billion level holding as support be a strong signal for further upwards momentum, but it would also make the March 12 crash one big shakeout for the entire cryptocurrency market. 

Finally, the volume indicator is showing an increase in volume. This is another strong signal as this would suggest more accumulation. 

Altcoin market capitalization still lagging behind

Total altcoin market capitalization cryptocurrency 1-day chart. Source: TradingView

The total altcoin market capitalization chart shows a strong support/resistance flip of $70 billion, a level that’s also confluent with the 100-day and 200-day MAs as support. This is important as the market cap didn’t lose these MAs during the previous crypto bull market cycle.

However, as Bitcoin had significant support in 2018 at the $6,000 level, the total market capitalization had done the same with $220-225 billion. But now, the total market cap is again holding the $220-225 billion level as support while the price of Bitcoin is now 50% higher.

The altcoins by themselves are also lagging heavily as $113 billion is the 2018 support level comparable with the $6,000 level for Bitcoin.

Total altcoin market capitalization 1-day chart. Source: TradingView

The chart above shows that altcoins have been lagging in general. Is that a bad thing? No, Bitcoin is a first mover and also peaked first in December 2017, after which the altcoins followed.

Right now, Bitcoin had its first run pre-halving towards $10,200. But the volume is now also increasing for altcoins. This means that demand and interest are increasing potentially setting the stage for altcoins to finally catch up.

The bullish scenario for Bitcoin 

BTC USD bullish scenario 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The grey zone (with a potential wick towards $8,950) needs to hold. After that, a breakout of $9,300 is required to eventually push the price toward $9,600 or higher.

If such a move occurs, a retest of the range high between $9,800-10,100 is likely as the next step. As this level has been tested many times already, the resistance level should be weaker as a rule.

In that regard, if this scenario plays out, a breakout to the upside could see the price of Bitcoin potentially run toward $11,000 or $11,500.

The bearish scenario for Bitcoin 

BTC USD bearish scenario 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

However, once the price of Bitcoin isn’t able to break through the $9,300 barrier, retests of the lows should be expected. Levels to test would be $8,800 (already tested once already), but, more importantly, $8,200-8,500 support of the current range. 

Nevertheless, this would still not be catastrophic for Bitcoin in general. The structure would still remain in an upward trajectory since March 12. The price has been making higher highs and higher lows since then, which is by definition a strong upward trend. Consolidation is, in fact, healthy for the market if new highs are to be established. 

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.