Bitcoin (BTC) extended its pullback for the third consecutive day, but lower levels attracted solid buying by the bulls. The cooler-than-expected United States inflation data likely fuelled the bounce. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation metric, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, came in at 2.4% versus economists’ expectations of 2.5%.
That helped improve sentiment, which turned bearish after the Fed chair Jerome Powell forecasted the likelihood of two rate cuts in 2025, down from the four that were projected in September.
Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360
Is this the start of a deeper correction or an opportunity to buy before the uptrend resumes? That’s the crucial question in traders' minds. Whalemap analysts said in a post on X that the Onchain Volume Profile shows Bitcoin’s accumulation range is forming at the current prices, and the one below is in the $60,000 to $67,000 zone.
What are the crucial supports to watch out for in Bitcoin and the altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin price analysis
Bitcoin broke below the support line of the ascending channel pattern and fell to the 50-day simple moving average ($91,792) on Dec. 20.
BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The solid rebound off the 50-day SMA shows that the bulls are fiercely defending the level. The relief rally is expected to face selling at the 20-day exponential moving average ($99,142). If the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, the possibility of a break below the 50-day SMA increases. The BTC/USDT pair may collapse to $85,000 and eventually to $73,777.
On the upside, the bulls will have to drive and sustain the price above the 20-day EMA to suggest that the selling has reduced. That increases the prospects of a retest of the all-time high at $108,353.
Ether price analysis
Ether’s (ETH) failure to break above the $4,094 resistance on Dec. 16, may have tempted buyers to book profits.
ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The ETH/USDT pair broke below the 20-day EMA ($3,689) on Dec. 18 and nosedived to $3,101 on Dec. 20. The bulls aggressively bought the dip and are trying to push the price back above the downtrend line. If they manage to do that, the pair may recover to the 20-day EMA, which is a critical level to keep an eye on.
After the sharp fall, the pair is expected to remain volatile in the near term and consolidate inside the large range between $3,000 and $4,094.
XRP price analysis
XRP (XRP) has been witnessing a tough battle between the bulls and the bears at the 20-day EMA ($2.23).
XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The long tail on the Dec. 20 candlestick shows that the bulls are fiercely defending the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of $1.90. This is a critical level for the bulls to defend because a break below it could sink the pair to the 50-day SMA ($1.55).
The 20-day EMA is flattening out, and the RSI is just above the midpoint, suggesting a range formation in the near term. The XRP/USDT pair may oscillate between $1.90 and $2.73 for a few days.
Solana price analysis
Solana (SOL) turned down sharply from the 20-day EMA ($218) on Dec. 18 and plummeted below the $210 support.
SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The bears maintained their selling pressure and pulled the SOL/USDT pair below the support line on Dec. 20. If the price closes below the support line, the pair could descend to $155.
The downsloping 20-day EMA and the RSI near the oversold territory indicate that bears are in command. Buyers will have to push and sustain the price above the 20-day EMA to signal a comeback.
BNB price analysis
BNB (BNB) rose above the $722 resistance on Dec. 17, but the failure to sustain the higher levels may have triggered the selling.
BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The BNB/USDT pair plunged below the 50-day SMA ($652) on Dec. 20, but the long tail on the candlestick shows buying at lower levels. If buyers maintain the price above the 50-day SMA, the pair could swing between $635 and $722 for a while.
Instead, if the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA ($691), it will suggest a negative sentiment. The bears will then again attempt to sink the pair below $635. If they succeed, the pair may decline to $543.
Dogecoin price analysis
Dogecoin (DOGE) plunged below the 50-day SMA ($0.35) on Dec. 19, indicating that the bears are back in the game.
DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The long tail on the Dec. 20 candlestick shows that the bulls are trying to arrest the decline at the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of $0.27. The recovery is expected to face selling at the moving averages. If the price turns down from the overhead resistance, the DOGE/USDT pair could plummet to the breakout level of $0.23.
The first sign of strength will be a break and close above the 20-day EMA ($0.38). That will indicate aggressive buying at lower levels.
Cardano price analysis
Cardano (ADA) completed a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern when it fell below the neckline on Dec. 19.
ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The long tail on the Dec. 20 candlestick shows that the bulls are trying to defend the breakout level at $0.80 because the failure to do so may sink the ADA/USDT pair to $0.69. If this support also cracks, the pair may descend to the pattern target of $0.50.
This negative view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns up and breaks above the 20-day EMA. That will indicate solid demand at lower levels. The pair may consolidate between $1.20 and $0.80 for a few days.
Avalanche price analysis
Avalanche’s (AVAX) selling accelerated after the price broke below the 20-day EMA ($45.64) on Dec. 18.
AVAX/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The AVAX/USDT pair has dipped below the 50-day SMA ($39.94), indicating that the breakout above $51 may have been a bull trap. If the price remains below the 50-day SMA, the next stop is likely to be $30.50.
Buyers will attempt to start a recovery but are likely to face strong selling at the 20-day EMA. A break and close above the 20-day EMA will be the first signal that the selling pressure is reducing.
Chainlink price analysis
Chainlink (LINK) turned down sharply on Dec. 18 and slipped below the $23 support on Dec. 20, indicating that the buyers are rushing to the exit.
LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The 50-day SMA ($18.82) is the crucial support to watch out for in the short term. If the price rebounds off the 50-day SMA, the LINK/USDT pair may rise to the 20-day EMA ($24.26). Sellers are expected to mount a strong defense at the 20-day EMA. If the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, the possibility of a break below the 50-day SMA increases.
Contrary to this assumption, If the price closes above the 20-day EMA, it will signal buying on dips. The pair may then climb toward $27.41.
Toncoin price analysis
Toncoin (TON) broke below the 50-day SMA ($5.80) on Dec. 18 and reached the $4.72 to $4.44 support zone on Dec. 20.
TON/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The 20-day EMA ($5.99) has been turned down, and the RSI is in the negative zone, signaling that bears have the upper hand. Buyers are expected to defend the $4.44 level with all their might because a break below it will complete a bearish H&S pattern. The TON/USDT pair could then sink to $3.50.
Any recovery attempt is likely to face selling at the 20-day EMA. A break and close above the 20-day EMA will be the first indication that the bears are losing their grip. The pair could attempt a rally to $7.
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.
