Bitcoin was struggling to resume its explosive upside action on Friday as it felt the pressure from a so-called China FUD level.
The offbeat cryptocurrency earlier this week plunged by more than 4.5 percent right after it established a new year-to-date high above $10,500. The move served as a reminiscent of a similar climb-and-rebound from October last year which took place against the backdrop of China’s blockchain endorsement.
In retrospect, President Xi Jinping praised bitcoin’s underlying technology for its potential in rebuilding China’s digital infrastructure. His statements excited bulls in the crypto market that allowed bitcoin to rise by more than 43 percent in just two days to $10,540.
BTC/USD changes direction after facing a strong resistance near $10,500 | Source: TradingView.com, Coinbase
Nevertheless, the excitement cooled down almost abruptly and caused bitcoin to give up its gains in the next trading sessions. Almost a month later, the cryptocurrency had crashed by circa 38 percent.
China FUD 2.0
Bitcoin’s latest upside took its price close to the same China FUD level of $10,540. But, like the previous time, the cryptocurrency failed to maintain its gains and slipped moderately. That led experts to say that bulls were afraid to call fresh long positions above $10,500, fearing upside exhaustion.
Scott Melker, an analyst and full-time trader at Texas West Capital, said $10,540 is the only level that matters now for bitcoin traders, adding a break above it would confirm a long-term bull trend.
Delete everything from your chart. There’s only one line that matters now. A break of this line would be the first macro higher high since the 14K top. Movement above and a flip to support would effectively end the “bear market” argument. Higher high = confirmed bull trend. pic.twitter.com/2dLSWidwoW
— The Wolf Of All Streets (@scottmelker) February 13, 2020
Another prominent market expert, Crypto Clark, drew the same conclusion in his YouTube vlog. The trader said if bitcoin could cross over the “China FUD” level than it would be able to flip the level into new support.
“It will provide us a very strong base to test the $11,000 area,” added Mr. Clark.
Some also believed that bitcoin’s latest rejection of the $10,500-resistance could push its price down below the $10,000-support. Michaël van de Poppe, for instance, said in his analysis that bitcoin could fall to as low as below $9,500 in the coming sessions, adding that the cryptocurrency’s bullish bias would – nevertheless – remain intact.
“Overall I’d say that it’s still healthy and some consolidation will be good before continuation,” added Mr. Poppe.
Key Catalysts
Bitcoin’s push above the $10,540 level could come on two key catalysts: banking liquidity and halving.
Mainstream analysts believe that an escalation in the Coronavirus outbreak in China could lead central bankers to inject more money into the market. A part of that capital could eventually make its way into the bitcoin/cryptocurrency market.
According to noted analyst Mati Greenspan, bitcoin is currently rallying upwards due to the same catalyst.
On the other hand, traders within the crypto markets could start moving their altcoin capital into bitcoin right ahead of the latter’s halving in May 2020. Historically, slashing down of supply rate has helped traders speculate on a crypto asset’s scarcity. Over the last 12 months, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Bitcoin SV rose exponentially on similar sentiments.
Jonny Moe, a full-time trader, said earlier this year that halving sentiment could send Bitcoin as high as $14,000 ahead of May 2020 – and $20,000 before the year’s close.
“We still have 3 months of this narrative left. Don’t sleep on it,” he added.
That’s it, I’m saying it.
This whole run up I’ve been thinking the $14k highs were on the table before the halving.
Based on how fast we’ve moved, I think $20k is in play now.
We still have 3 months of this narrative left. Don’t sleep on it.$BTC
— Jonny Moe (@JonnyMoeTrades) February 11, 2020
