Bitcoin Bulls Hit a Wall at $118K—Is a Major Pullback Imminent?
Bitcoin's rally just slammed into a brick wall at $118K—now traders are bracing for what comes next. Was this the top, or just a pit stop on the way to new highs?
The crypto market's favorite rollercoaster might be due for another stomach-churning drop. After all, what goes up must come down—especially when Wall Street 'experts' start calling the bottom.
Here's the brutal truth: corrections are healthy, but they hurt. Whether this is a minor dip or the start of something deeper depends on whether you're holding bags or buying them.
Remember: in crypto, the only thing more predictable than irrational exuberance is the herd panic that follows. Buckle up.
Long-Term Holders Begin Distribution
According to blockchain analyst Axel Adler Jr, long-term holder (LTH) supply began declining at the $118,000 level, with approximately 52,000 BTC distributed as prices reached current levels. This distribution pattern mirrors previous market cycles, particularly the shift from accumulation to distribution seen during Bitcoin’s rise from $65,000 to $100,000 in fall 2024.
At the $118K level LTH supply began to decline, having decreased by 52K BTC at the moment. Essentially, LTH started distributing accumulated supply, and as the price rises, this will intensify as it did in previous macro cycles.
The shift in balance from accumulation to… pic.twitter.com/ernjYgvvlE
The data suggests long-term holders are taking profits at psychologically significant price levels, creating natural resistance zones that require substantial buying pressure to overcome. Similar patterns have been periodically observed over the past 19 months.
More than $431 million in Leveraged liquidations contributed to selling pressure, with most liquidations occurring on long positions, according to derivatives market data.
Analyst Flags A Make Or Break Situation For Bitcoin
Crypto analyst crypto Patel identified a bull flag pattern formation on Bitcoin’s 4-hour chart, suggesting potential continuation of the uptrend after brief consolidation. “Bitcoin is currently forming a well-defined bull flag pattern, suggesting potential continuation of the uptrend trajectory,” Patel stated on social media. A bull flag pattern is a trend that suggests a massive upward trend after a brief consolidated price action.
$BTC is currently inside a clear bull flag on the 4H chart.
A confirmed breakout above $120K could send price toward $130K+
If rejected, a pullback to $114K (flag support) is likely
Bitcoin Breakdown below $114K may invalidate the pattern- Risk of drop below $100K
No… pic.twitter.com/ohZ6WUc48S
In the chart, the pattern formation began after the BTC price successfully retested the $107,442 mark. Since reaching a high above the $114,800 mark, it has formed a channel pattern between $114k & $120k and continues trading within it.
A confirmed breakout above $120,000 could trigger bullish momentum toward $130,000+, while rejection at resistance may prompt pullback to $114,000 flag support. A decisive breakdown below $114,000 could invalidate the bullish setup and expose Bitcoin to potential decline below $100,000.
Market Outlook And Key Technical Levels
At the time of writing, Bitcoin’s market capitalization stands at $2.344 trillion with $69.41 billion in daily trading volume, indicating sustained institutional interest despite recent consolidation. Key technical support sits at $117,500, coinciding with the 50-day exponential moving average at $117,165.
The 20-day EMA at $118,255 currently provides dynamic resistance, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 45.93 suggests neutral momentum conditions. Multiple rejections at $120,000 demonstrate strong selling interest at this psychological level.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator is a momentum oscillator used in trading to measure the speed and magnitude of recent price changes. It helps traders identify overbought and oversold conditions in an asset. It is currently at 45.93 which is a weakening trend considering the market sentiments.
Technical patterns require volume confirmation and broader market conditions for validation, making timing and direction uncertain despite apparent chart formations. Both on-chain data and technical analysis suggest bitcoin is at a decision point that could determine medium-term price trajectory.
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