Price analysis 1/6: BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, ADA, DOT, BCH, XLM, LINK, BNB

Bitcoin’s slow crawl toward $36,000 has given select altcoins the green light to rally higher.

Aggressive buying by institutional investors is one of the main reasons for the current Bitcoin (BTC) bull run. Some investors expressed their intent to hold their positions for a few years, but it is also prudent to note that many of these investors have recently developed a love for Bitcoin and their conviction to HODL may not resemble that of the early Bitcoin whales.

The current bull market could also differ from the last as institutional investors simply cannot hold on to their positions if Bitcoin unexpectedly enters a sharp correction. These fund managers will have to face angry clients if Bitcoin’s performance wanes, thus it’s important to keep a level head when considering the lofty price estimates being thrown out by analysts. 

Bitpay’s chief commercial officer Sonny Singh said in an interview with Bloomberg that if Bitcoin’s rally continues, the institutional investors may be tempted to lock in their gains and are unlikely to HODL for the long term.

If that happens, the markets may have to deal with a huge amount of selling, which could result in a sharp fall unless new institutional investors or long-term Bitcoin whales step in and buy.

A few metrics such as rising futures open interest and a high funding rate suggest that traders are taking aggressive bullish bets on Bitcoin’s rally continuing. As has occurred in the past, a sharp downturn in Bitcoin price could result in leveraged players facing a massive long liquidation.

Therefore, it only makes sense that at this juncture, traders exercise caution and use proper money management principles to protect their paper profits.

While Bitcoin’s rally toward $36,000 may have slowed down, several altcoins are skyrocketing. Let’s study the charts of the top-10 cryptocurrencies to determine the possible target levels on the upside.

BTC/USD

The long tails on the Jan. 4 and 5 candlesticks suggest that the bears tried to start a correction but the bulls aggressively purchased the dips. Bitcoin has resumed the uptrend today by pushing the price above the previous all-time high at $34,786.04.

The next target objective on the upside is $37,000 and if that level is scaled, the BTC/USD pair could rise to $45,000.

However, the relative strength index (RSI) remains in overbought territory indicating the risk of a correction. The first support on the downside is the 20-day exponential moving average ($28,213).

If the pair rebounds off this support, it will suggest that traders continue to buy the dips and that could keep the uptrend intact.

Conversely, if the price breaks below the 20-day EMA, it could result in panic selling that could sink the pair to the 50-day simple moving average ($22,285).

ETH/USD

Ether (ETH) has resumed the uptrend today as the bulls have pushed the price above the Jan. 4 intraday high at $1,156.456. However, the RSI above 88 suggests that the biggest altcoin is overbought in the short term.

If the price does not sustain above $1,156.456, the ETH/USD pair could consolidate in a tight range for a few days before attempting the next trending move.

Conversely, if the pair sustains above $1,156.456, it will suggest that the melt-up is likely to continue. In such a case, the pair may rally to $1,260 and then to $1,420.

The pair will signal a possible change in trend if the price turns down and plummets below the $840.93 support.

XRP/USD

While most major altcoins have been surging, XRP has been languishing near its recent lows, suggesting that traders are not aggressively buying at the current levels.

The consolidation also suggests that the bears are taking it easy. This lack of interest from the bulls and the bears could extend the range-bound action for a few more days.

The next leg of the down move could start if the bears sink the price below the $0.169 support. Such a move could trigger panic selling that may result in a decline to $0.10.

On the contrary, a break above the 20-day EMA ($0.30) will be the first sign of strength and the recovery could pick up steam above $0.385.

LTC/USD

After the large range day on Jan. 4, Litecoin (LTC) formed an inside day candlestick pattern on Jan. 5, which showed indecision among the bulls and the bears. The uncertainty has resolved to the upside and the bulls are currently attempting to resume the uptrend.

If the bulls can propel the price above $173.3312, the LTC/USD pair could rally to $180 and then to $200.

However, if the price turns down from $173.3312, then the pair could drop to $140 and remain range-bound between these two levels for a few days.

A breakdown below the $140 support and the 20-day EMA ($130) may shift the advantage in favor of the bears.

ADA/USD

Cardano (ADA) is currently in a strong uptrend that has a target objective of $0.40. If this level is scaled, the altcoin could even rally to $0.50. However, the sharp rally since Jan. 3 has pushed the RSI deep into the overbought territory.

History suggests that whenever the RSI rises above 80, the ADA/USD pair has witnessed a minor correction or consolidation. Therefore, traders may prepare for a minor pullback in the next few days.

If the bulls do not give up much ground and the pair rebounds off the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.2757469, it will suggest that traders are not booking profits in a hurry. The bulls could then attempt to resume the uptrend.

Conversely, if the bears pull the price below the 50% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.2552813, it will suggest aggressive profit booking at higher levels and such a move could deepen the correction or keep the pair range-bound for a few days.

DOT/USD

Polkadot (DOT) recovered from $8.70 on Jan. 4, just above the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $8.4507. This shallow correction suggests traders are aggressively buying on every minor dip.

If the bulls can thrust the price above $10.5169, the DOT/USD pair could pick up momentum and rally to $12.39 and then to $15.

However, if the price turns down from $10.5169, the pair may drop to $8.70 and remain range-bound between these two levels for a few days. A consolidation near the overhead resistance is a positive sign and increases the possibility of the resumption of the uptrend.

This positive view will invalidate if the bears sink the price below $8.70. Such a move could pull the price down to the 20-day EMA ($7.59).

BCH/USD

The bulls did not allow Bitcoin Cash (BCH) to plummet back below the $370 breakout level on Jan. 4 and 5. This shows accumulation by traders at lower levels. The bulls are currently attempting to resume the uptrend.

If the bulls can push the price above $467.67, the BCH/USD pair may rally to the stiff overhead resistance at $515.35.

The previous two rallies had reversed direction from the $497 to $515.35 resistance zone. Thus this zone is likely to attract aggressive selling by the bears.

However, if the bulls can absorb the selling and drive the price above $515.35, it may signal the start of a new bull run.

On the contrary, if the price turns down from $467.67, the pair may consolidate between $370 and $467.67 for a few days.

XLM/USD

Stellar Lumens (XLM) has picked up momentum in the past three days. The altcoin broke above the descending channel on Jan. 05 and soared today, pushing the price above the $0.35 overhead resistance.

However, the long wick on the day’s candlestick suggests profit booking above $0.35. The bears will now try to pull the price back below $0.2864. If they succeed, the XLM/USD pair may enter a minor correction.

Conversely, if the bulls flip $0.2864 to support, the pair may resume its uptrend. If the price breaks above $0.391, the rally could extend to $0.50.

LINK/USD

Chainlink (LINK) bounced off the 20-day EMA ($13) on Jan. 4 and the 50-day SMA ($13.07) on Jan. 5, which shows strong buying on dips. The moving averages are on the verge of a bullish crossover, suggesting buyers are in control.

If the bulls can sustain the LINK/USD pair above $16.39, the rally could extend to $20.1111. The bears are likely to defend this resistance aggressively.

However, if the bulls do not give up much ground, the possibility of a break above $20.1111 increases and the next target objective on the upside is $25.

This bullish view will invalidate if the price turns down from the current levels or the overhead resistance and breaks below the $13.28 support. Such a move will suggest a lack of demand at higher levels.

BNB/USD

Binance Coin (BNB) made a long-legged Doji candlestick pattern on Jan. 4 and followed it up with an inside day candlestick pattern on Jan. 5 that had a long tail. This suggests that the bears tried to pull the price down but the bulls purchased at lower levels.

If buyers can drive the price above $43.2039, the BNB/USD pair may resume the uptrend and rally to $50. The upsloping moving averages and the RSI in the overbought territory suggest that the path of least resistance is to the upside.

On the other hand, if the pair again turns down from the overhead resistance level and breaks below $38, it will suggest that the bears have overpowered the bulls. That could result in a correction to $32.

The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph. Every investment and trading move involves risk. You should conduct your own research when making a decision.

Market data is provided by HitBTC exchange.