What It Will Take for Bitcoin to Reach New Highs

Barrons2021-08-18

In my last column on May 24, I wrote that Bitcoin was attempting to stabilize after being cut in half from April’s $64,800 high. That high was an important intermediate-term barrier. Why? Because each new high was a smaller percentage higher than the prior high, signaling weakening momentum.

For that reason, I advised my clients in April to place a closing stop-loss order on Bitcoin at $51,000. In my May 24 column, I said that a break below the $50,000 support level would lead to a $30,000-$50,000 trading range.

Fast-forward to today. The weekly chart illustrates that after sinking more than 50% into the $30,000 support area, Bitcoin formed what I call a “1-2-3” bottom (three dives into support accompanied by waning momentum to the downside). A positive reversal (a lower low than the prior week and a higher close for the week) launched the recent rally.

Notice that Bitcoin is beginning to bump into resistance from a rounding top in the $50,000 area. Bitcoin’s challenge will be to hurdle this strong resistance area. But if it can’t overcome that barrier in the next few weeks, then we would expect a pullback to the $42,000-$40,000 area. Holding at or above $40,000 would position Bitcoin to “refuel” and be in a stronger position to challenge the $50,000 barrier zone.

A daily closing chart shown next illustrates in greater detail the rounding top and $50,000 resistance barrier. The rally off $30,000 support is nearing a $50,000 trendline resistance—just as momentum is overbought. That’s another reason why a pause/pullback is likely to begin by next week.

Longer term, if Bitcoin could consolidate successfully as its overbought momentum gets worked off, a new cyclical advance could lead it to new highs.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

Comments

Leave a comment
7