Bitcoin (BTC) continued its boring price action over the weekend, indicating that the bulls and the bears are not waging large bets as they are uncertain about the next directional move. Nevertheless, traders should continue to keep a close watch because a period of consolidation is usually followed by an increase in volatility.
Although it is difficult to predict the direction of the breakout with certainty, some analysts point to the Bitcoin whales increasing their exposure as a positive sign. On-chain analyst Cole Garner believes the bull move could continue till September when the summer seasonality kicks in and the shakeout happens.
Bitcoin rose sharply in the first few months of the year but the major altcoins struggled to keep pace. That could change as the current consolidation in the largest cryptocurrency is giving an opportunity for select altcoins to play catch up.
What are the top-5 cryptocurrencies that are looking positive in the near term? Let’s study their charts to determine the resistance levels to keep an eye on.
Bitcoin price analysis
Bitcoin formed an inside-day candlestick pattern on Aug. 5, indicating indecision among the bulls and the bears. The price is getting squeezed between the 20-day exponential moving average ($29,430) and the horizontal support at $28,861.
The downsloping 20-day EMA and the relative strength index (RSI) in the negative territory indicate that bears are at a slight advantage. Sellers will try to yank the price below the $28,861 to $28,585 support zone. If they can pull it off, the BTC/USDT pair could start a downward move to $26,000.
Conversely, if the price rebounds off the current level and breaks above the 50-day simple moving average ($29,840), it will suggest the start of a recovery to the overhead resistance zone between $31,804 and $32,400.
The 4-hour chart shows that the bulls have been defending the support at $28,861 but a negative sign is that they haven’t been able to achieve a strong rebound off it. This suggests that demand dries up at higher levels.
The 20-EMA is turning down gradually and the RSI is just below the midpoint, suggesting that the bears have a minor advantage. The sellers will have to sink and sustain the price below $28,861 to resume the short-term down move.
If bulls want to start a recovery, they will have to drive and sustain the price above the moving averages. If they do that, the pair could climb to the stiff overhead resistance at $30,000. A break and close above this level could open the doors for a further rally to $31,000.
Shiba Inu price analysis
Shiba Inu (SHIB) broke and closed above the overhead resistance of $0.0000085 on Aug. 4, indicating that the bulls are trying to start a new uptrend.
The bullish momentum picked up further on Aug. 5 and the SHIB/USDT pair soared to $0.000010. This move sent the RSI into the overbought territory, indicating that a minor correction or consolidation is possible.
If the bulls do not give up much ground from the current levels, it will signal that traders are holding on to their positions as they anticipate another leg higher. If the price breaks above $0.000010, the pair may surge to $0.000012 and then to $0.000014.
The 4-hour chart shows that the bulls are trying to arrest the decline at the 20-EMA. If the price rebounds off the current level with strength, the bulls will again try to push the price to $0.000010. A break above this level could signal the resumption of the up-move.
Instead, if the price continues lower and breaks below the 20-EMA, it will suggest that traders are aggressively booking profits. A break below the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of $0.000009 could open the doors for a potential fall to $0.0000085.
Uniswap price analysis
Uniswap (UNI) has been in a correction for the past few days but a positive sign is that the bulls are trying to arrest the decline near the 20-day EMA ($6.04).
If the price rebounds off the current level with strength, it will suggest that the sentiment remains positive and the traders are using the dips to buy. The UNI/USDT pair could first rise to $6.70 and if this level is crossed, the next target could be $7.50.
Another possibility is that the price sustains below the 20-day EMA. If that happens, it will suggest that the up-move has ended. The pair could then descend to the 50-day SMA ($5.58) where buying may emerge.
The flattish 20-day EMA and the RSI near the midpoint do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears.
The 20-EMA has turned down and the RSI is in the negative territory, indicating that the bears have the upper hand. If the price continues lower and breaks below $5.93, the correction may resume. The next support on the downside is $5.66.
Contrarily, if bulls propel the price above the 20-EMA, it will suggest that the bears are losing their grip. The pair may first rise to the 50-SMA and if this level is taken out, the up-move may reach $6.70.
Related: XRP price disappoints after court ruling, Deaton remains optimistic
OKB price analysis
OKB (OKB) has been gradually falling inside a large range between $38 and $59 for the past several weeks. The bulls pushed the price above the downtrend line on Aug. 4, indicating that the short-term downtrend may be ending.
The 20-day EMA ($43) has started to turn up and the RSI is in the positive territory, indicating that the bulls have the upper hand. Buyers will try to propel the price to $48 and subsequently to $50. This level may act as a major hurdle but if crossed, the pair could quickly jump up to $54.
Contrary to this assumption, a slide below the downtrend line will indicate that the attempt to start an up-move fizzled out. The bears will gain further strength if they sink the OKB/USDT pair below the moving averages. The pair could then slump to $41.
The 4-hour chart shows that the bears tried to tug the price back below the downtrend line but the bulls successfully held the level. This suggests that the buyers have flipped the downtrend line into support. The pair could first rise to $46 and if this obstacle is overcome, the next target could be $48.
The 20-EMA is an important support to watch out for. If the price plunges below the 20-EMA and the downtrend line, it will suggest that bears are back in command. The pair may then tumble to $42.
Hedera price analysis
Hedera (HBAR) broke above the overhead resistance of $0.055 on Aug. 6, indicating that bulls are attempting a comeback.
If buyers sustain the price above $0.055, it will signal the start of a new up-move. There is a minor resistance at $0.062 but if this level is crossed, the HBAR/USDT pair could pick up momentum. The pair could first rise to $0.065 and thereafter attempt a rally to $0.075.
The important level to watch on the downside is $0.055. If bulls flip this level into support, it will indicate a change in sentiment from selling on rallies to buying on dips.
This positive view will invalidate in the near term if the price turns down and plummets below the 50-day SMA ($0.05). That could sink the pair to $0.045.
The 4-hour chart shows that the bulls pushed the price above the overhead resistance of $0.055. This completed a bullish ascending triangle pattern, which has a target objective of $0.07.
The sharp rally has pushed the RSI into deeply overbought territory, indicating that a minor correction or consolidation is possible. On the downside, $0.055 is the critical level to keep an eye on.
If bears want to prevent this up-move, they will have to yank the price below the breakout level of $0.05. The pair could then plunge to $0.045.
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.