Total crypto market value jumped toward $3.25 trillion before gains cooled, with bitcoin steady above $96,000 and mixed performance across majors.
Bitcoin is pushing above the $95,000 level as selling pressure across the market continues to ease, offering a renewed sense of short-term stability after weeks of choppy consolidation. Following a volatile end to last year, price action has gradually improved, with buyers regaining control and forcing Bitcoin back into a range that had previously acted as resistance. While skepticism remains high and many analysts continue to warn of a broader corrective phase, recent derivatives and positioning data suggest that market behavior may be shifting beneath the surface. Related Reading: Bitcoin LTH SOPR Signals Early Capitulation, But Selling Pressure Remains Contained According to an analysis shared by Axel Adler, Bitcoin’s Positioning Index SMA-30d has climbed to 3.5, marking the first sustained breakout above the 3.0 level since October 6, 2025. That previous breakout occurred during the rally that ultimately carried BTC toward the $125,000 peak, making the current move particularly notable from a historical perspective. The positioning index reflects aggregated futures market dynamics, including open interest, funding behavior, and long-short activity, and is often used to identify regime changes in trader sentiment. This renewed strength in positioning does not guarantee immediate upside continuation, but it does indicate that futures traders are once again willing to take directional exposure after months of defensive positioning. As Bitcoin holds above $95K, the coming sessions will be critical in determining whether this move develops into a broader trend or remains a temporary relief rally. Futures Positioning Signals a Shift Toward a Bullish Regime According to Axel Adler Jr., the recent breakout of the Positioning Index SMA-30d above the 3.0 level marks an important local shift in Bitcoin’s futures market structure. After spending nearly three months oscillating within the 0 ± 2 range, this move signals that traders are transitioning from neutral or defensive positioning into a more directional stance. Adler notes that confirmation now depends on persistence rather than speed. The key continuation trigger is the SMA holding above the 2.0 level for at least one week, which would validate that the shift is not a short-lived reaction. This view is reinforced by developments in the Bitcoin Advanced Sentiment Index. While sentiment briefly peaked at 93.15% when BTC traded near $95,061, it has since cooled to roughly 70%. Importantly, this pullback has occurred without a breakdown in price structure. The index remains well above the neutral 50% threshold and above its 30-day average near 62.9%, indicating that bullish conditions still dominate the futures market. Adler interprets the roughly 23-percentage-point decline in sentiment as a healthy release of short-term overheating rather than a trend reversal. Historically, such resets often strengthen trend durability. Risk emerges if sentiment falls below 50% alongside a price drop under $92,000. Conversely, holding sentiment above 60% during short consolidation phases would support further upside continuation. Related Reading: Bitcoin Short-Term Holders Near A Profit Flip: A Key Level Comes Into Focus Bitcoin Price Action Details Bitcoin price action on the daily chart shows a clear attempt to regain control after a prolonged consolidation phase. Following the sharp November sell-off that pushed BTC into the low $80K region, price has gradually formed a higher-low structure, signaling stabilization rather than continued capitulation. The recent push above $95,000 marks the highest daily close since mid-November and places Bitcoin back above its short-term moving average, a level that had capped upside throughout December. However, the broader trend remains mixed. The 50-day moving average is still sloping downward and sits above the current price, acting as near-term dynamic resistance. Meanwhile, the 200-day moving average continues to trend higher well below price, confirming that the broader market structure remains intact despite recent volatility. This positioning reflects a market transitioning from corrective pressure into a potential recovery phase, rather than a clean trend reversal. Related Reading: XRP Consolidates Above $2 As Volume Z-Score Signals A Quiet Market The recent advance toward $95K occurred without a significant volume spike, suggesting reduced selling pressure rather than aggressive new demand. This is consistent with a relief-driven move fueled by short covering and position rebalancing. For bulls, holding above the $93K–$95K range is critical to maintain momentum and build a base for continuation. Failure to consolidate above this zone would increase the risk of renewed range-bound trading or a pullback toward the $90K support area. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
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XRP price failed to surpass $2.20 and started another decline. The price is now correcting gains and might struggle to stay above $2.080. XRP price started a downside correction and tested the $2.080 zone. The price is now trading below $2.120 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a bullish trend line forming with support at $2.080 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The pair could start another increase if it clears $2.150. XRP Price Starts Fresh Decline XRP price failed to clear $2.20 and started a downside correction below the $2.150 zone, underperforming Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price dipped below the $2.120 and $2.10 levels to enter a negative zone. The price even dipped below the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2.032 swing low to the $2.193 high. The bulls are now active near $2.080. There is also a bullish trend line forming with support at $2.080 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair. The price is now trading below $2.120 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. If there is a fresh upward move, the price might face resistance near the $2.120 level. The first major resistance is near the $2.150 level, above which the price could rise and test $2.20. A clear move above the $2.20 resistance might send the price toward the $2.250 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $2.320 resistance. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be near $2.350. More Losses? If XRP fails to clear the $2.120 resistance zone, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $2.080 level. The next major support is near the $2.070 level and the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2.032 swing low to the $2.193 high. If there is a downside break and a close below the $2.070 level, the price might continue to decline toward $2.050. The next major support sits near the $2.020 zone, below which the price could continue lower toward $2.00. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is now gaining pace in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $2.080 and $2.050. Major Resistance Levels – $2.120 and $2.150.
Many XRP investors continue to adopt a wait-and-see approach, as the price has struggled to break above its current consolidation zone near the $2 level. Although XRP experienced a brief rally from around $1.90 to over $2 in January 2026, the upward momentum appears to have stalled at that point. A crypto analyst has shared insights into why XRP may be failing to sustain a breakout, noting that the biggest enemy of XRP investors is not price action. XRP Investors Face Biggest Enemy Beyond Price Market analyst Cryptollica has pointed to “time,” rather than price, as the biggest enemy of XRP investors, as the token continues to consolidate near the $2 mark. In a detailed analysis shared on X, he connected XRP’s current consolidation to a recurring historical pattern visible on the two-week price chart. Related Reading: This Ethereum Triangle Breakout Puts Price Above $24,000, Here’s The Path Cryptollica explained that XRP is moving through a phase labeled “Part 3” on the chart, designed to shake out holders experiencing boredom. In the past, this stage usually followed Part 4, when price expansion became visible and widely noticed. The chart maps a structure from the 2014 to 2017 cycle, in which Parts 1, 2, and 3 played out before a sharp rally followed. The same structural sequence is overlaid on the 2021 to 2026 period, with Parts 1 and 2 already completed and Part 3 currently unfolding. XRP’s price action on the chart shows it is moving sideways slightly above the $2 region after reclaiming the $1.95 area, which is a key breakout level. The consolidation is occurring above a rising long-term trendline, suggesting the overall uptrend is still holding, even if momentum is slow. Cryptollica also noted that the weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) has reset, shown in the lower part of the chart, where momentum has eased but not collapsed. He sees this reset as a necessary step that clears the way for XRP’s next move, and not a sign of weakness. The chart further highlights that previous cycles rewarded patience once this consolidation phase ended, reinforcing the analyst’s belief that time is the biggest enemy of holders. Related Reading: Wall Street Analyst Is Still Bullish On Bitcoin, Predicts Price Recovery Analyst Says XRP Is Approaching Price Discovery In a follow-up post, Cryptollica described his XRP price chart, which divides the cryptocurrency’s cycles into parts, as a precise algorithm. He called Part 1 a multi-year accumulation phase and Part 2, the first impulse and liquidity grab. As mentioned earlier, both phases have been completed in this cycle, according to the analyst. With XRP now in Part 3, the shakeout stage to test long-term holders, Cryptollica explains that once this is completed, the cryptocurrency is on its way to a vertical price discovery, which marks Part 4. He highlighted the reliability of this decade-long fractal, suggesting that XRP’s spring is currently loaded and ready for a potential expansion phase. Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com
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Ethereum price started a major increase above the $3,320 resistance. ETH is now consolidating gains and might dip toward the $3,280 zone. Ethereum started a downside correction after a major rally to $3,400. The price is trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a bullish trend line forming with support at $3,280 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could continue to move up if it stays above the $3,280 zone. Ethereum Price Climbs To $3,400 Ethereum price remained stable above $3,220 and started a fresh increase, like Bitcoin. ETH price rallied above the $3,250 and $3,320 resistance levels. The bulls even pumped the price above $3,350. A high was formed at $3,402, and the price is now correcting some gains. There was a minor decline below $3,350 and the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent wave from the $3,061 swing low to the $3,402 high. Ethereum price is now trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is also a bullish trend line forming with support at $3,280 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. If the bulls can protect more losses below $3,280, the price could attempt another increase. Immediate resistance is seen near the $3,350 level. The first key resistance is near the $3,380 level. The next major resistance is near the $3,400 level. A clear move above the $3,400 resistance might send the price toward the $3,500 resistance. An upside break above the $3,500 region might call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,550 resistance zone or even $3,650 in the near term. Another Decline In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $3,400 resistance, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $3,300 level. The first major support sits near the $3,280 zone and the trend line. A clear move below the $3,280 support might push the price toward the $3,230 support and the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent wave from the $3,061 swing low to the $3,402 high. Any more losses might send the price toward the $3,200 region. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $3,280 Major Resistance Level – $3,400
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Bitcoin has pushed above the $95,000 level for the first time since mid-November, reigniting debate across the market. For some analysts, this move represents a constructive breakout that confirms underlying strength after weeks of consolidation. For others, the rally is viewed with caution, framed as a classic relief move occurring within a broader corrective or bearish structure. With sentiment split and volatility compressed, the market is once again searching for confirmation rather than direction alone. Related Reading: Bitcoin LTH SOPR Signals Early Capitulation, But Selling Pressure Remains Contained Adding an important layer to this discussion, an analysis by Darkfost highlights a notable shift beneath the surface: OG Bitcoin activity has dropped sharply. OGs—holders whose coins have remained dormant for several years—have historically played a key role during major cycle transitions, often distributing aggressively near macro tops. During this cycle, their activity surged earlier, coinciding with strong institutional demand and elevated prices. However, recent data shows that this selling pressure has slowed significantly. This decline in OG spending suggests that long-dormant holders are no longer actively distributing into strength, reducing a major source of structural sell pressure. While this does not guarantee immediate upside continuation, it changes the risk profile of the current move. With fewer legacy holders selling, price action above $95K is now being shaped more by marginal demand and derivatives positioning than by long-term distribution, making the next phase especially critical to monitor. OG Selling Pressure Fades as Long-Dormant Coins Go Quiet Darkfost’s analysis uses UTXO behavior to understand how long-term holders are acting beneath the surface. UTXOs, which track when and how previously unspent Bitcoin is moved, provide a reliable way to identify activity from OG holders—coins that have remained dormant for several years. When these coins move, it usually signals intentional distribution rather than short-term speculation. Earlier in this cycle, OG activity was unusually elevated. Long-held coins were spent at levels well above those seen in the previous cycle, coinciding with a favorable environment for distribution. Institutional inflows, spot ETFs, and even government-linked demand created deep liquidity conditions that allowed legacy holders to sell without destabilizing the price. That window appears to be closing. Recent data shows a clear shift. Spikes in OG spending during local price peaks have become smaller and less frequent. The rolling average of spent older outputs has fallen materially from prior highs, indicating that the heaviest phase of long-term distribution is likely behind us. This does not imply that OGs have turned aggressively bullish, but it does suggest reduced urgency to sell. From a market structure perspective, declining OG selling pressure removes a major overhead supply source. With fewer long-dormant coins entering circulation, price action becomes increasingly dependent on short-term demand dynamics and derivatives positioning. This transition often precedes either consolidation or trend continuation, making OG inactivity a quietly constructive signal rather than an outright bullish trigger. Related Reading: Bitcoin Short-Term Holders Near A Profit Flip: A Key Level Comes Into Focus Bitcoin Tests Key Resistance After Short-Term Breakout Bitcoin has pushed back above the $95,000 level after weeks of consolidation, marking a notable short-term breakout. On this daily chart, price has reclaimed the descending short-term moving average and is now testing a former resistance zone that previously acted as support during September and October. This area around $95K–$96K is technically significant, as it coincides with prior range lows and a visible supply cluster. The rebound follows a sharp corrective phase in November, where BTC printed a local bottom near the mid-$80,000 region. Since then, price action has formed a series of higher lows, suggesting an improving short-term structure. Volume remains moderate, indicating that this move is not driven by aggressive speculation, but rather by steady spot demand and short covering. Related Reading: Trump-Powell Conflict Fuels Volatility While Retail Sells Bitcoin At A Loss – Details However, Bitcoin still trades below its longer-term moving averages, which continue to slope downward. This implies that, despite the recent strength, the broader trend has not yet fully flipped bullish. A sustained hold above $95,000 would take it into the $98,000–$100,000 zone. A level where stronger resistance and prior breakdown zones sit. Failure to consolidate above current levels could result in another retest of the $90,000–$92,000 support range. The chart reflects a transition phase: momentum is improving, but confirmation will depend on follow-through and acceptance above this critical resistance area. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com v
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Bitcoin price started a fresh increase above $95,500. BTC is trading above $96,000 and might soon aim for a move to $100k in the near term. Bitcoin started a decent increase above $94,000 and $95,500. The price is trading above $95,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. There is a bullish trend line forming with support at $95,250 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might continue to move up if it stays above the $95,000 zone. Bitcoin Price Breaks Key Resistance Bitcoin price managed to stay above the $92,500 support and started a fresh increase. BTC was able to settle above $94,000 and $95,000. The bulls were able to push the price above $95,500. Finally, the price spiked above $97,000. A high was formed at $97,898, and the price is now consolidating gains above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent wave from the $89,995 swing low to the $97,898 high. Bitcoin is now trading above $96,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $95,500, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $97,200 level. The first key resistance is near the $97,800 level. The next resistance could be $98,000. A close above the $98,000 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $98,800 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $99,500 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $99,800 and $100,000. Another Drop In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $97,200 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $96,000 level. The first major support is near the $95,250 level and the trend line. The next support is now near the $94,000 zone or the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent wave from the $89,995 swing low to the $97,898 high. Any more losses might send the price toward the $93,000 support in the near term. The main support sits at $92,500, below which BTC might accelerate lower in the near term. Technical indicators: Hourly MACD – The MACD is now losing pace in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $96,000, followed by $95,250. Major Resistance Levels – $97,200 and $97,800.
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Litecoin has gone through a price drawdown over the past week, but on-chain data shows whale activity has shot up to the highest level in weeks. Litecoin Whale Transaction Count Has Spiked Recently According to data from on-chain analytics firm Santiment, the Litecoin Whale Transaction Count has witnessed a surge recently. This indicator measures the total number of transfers occurring on the LTC network that involve a value of more than $100,000. Generally, only the whales are capable of moving amounts this large with single transactions, so the metric’s value is considered to represent the activity of the big-money investors. Related Reading: Monero (XMR) Rockets 51% To New ATH, But Watch Out For FOMO When the value of the Whale Transaction Count rises, it means the whales are participating in a higher amount of transfer activity on the blockchain. Such a trend may be a sign that the asset is attracting attention from the large traders. On the other hand, the indicator going down implies the humongous entities may be losing interest in the cryptocurrency as they are reducing their transaction activity. Now, here is the chart shared by Santiment that shows the trend in the Litecoin Whale Transaction Count over the last couple of months: As is visible in the above graph, the Litecoin Whale Transaction Count has seen a spike alongside the latest decline in the asset’s price, indicating the volatility has induced activity from the large hands. At the peak of this spike, the metric hit a value of 503, corresponding to the highest number of whale-sized moves since December 10th. As for what the surge in the indicator could mean for LTC, the answer is hard to tell, since the Whale Transaction Count includes only data for the absolute number of moves being made by the whales and nothing related to whether buying or selling is more dominant. Past data could provide some hints about what usually tends to follow whale activity spikes, however. “Historically, an asset has a significantly higher likelihood of reversal on whale spikes,” explained the analytics firm. This trend was visible during the two Whale Transaction Highs from last month, occurring on December 3rd and 10th. Both of these coincided with price tops for Litecoin. Related Reading: Bitcoin Decouples From Global Liquidity: Analyst Says Quantum Threat Behind It It now remains to be seen whether the latest spike in the indicator will turn out to be a sign of another selloff or if it will lead to a bottom instead. LTC Price Litecoin shot up to a high of $84 last week, but bullish momentum fizzled out and its price opened this week with a plunge toward the $75 level. The past day has seen some upward action, though, as LTC has returned to $78. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com
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XRP is tightening up at a critical breakout level, with price action suggesting the market is coiling for its next decisive move. While short-term volatility has cooled, the broader structure remains constructive, pointing to a potential expansion phase as compression builds near key resistance. XRP Compresses Into A Critical $2.30–$2.40 Decision Zone According to a latest update from Egrag Crypto, the XRP 3-day chart continues to flash strong bullish signals despite recent consolidation. Price action remains constructive, with XRP compressing inside a descending channel as it approaches a crucial decision zone between $2.30 and $2.40. Related Reading: XRP Price Finds Its Footing at Support, Bulls Test Their Strength From a structural standpoint, several technical elements point to underlying strength. The 50-period EMA has begun to flatten, suggesting that selling pressure is gradually easing. At the same time, the 200-period EMA continues to trend higher, reinforcing the idea that the broader, macro trend remains bullish. Furthermore, XRP is holding above the EMA cluster, indicating that the market structure has not yet broken down. Notably, the upper boundary of the descending channel aligns closely with the former $2.30 breakout level, adding technical significance to this zone. From here, the implications are clear. A clean and decisive 3-day close above $2.40 would likely confirm a breakout from compression, opening the door for continuation toward the $2.70 region, with $3.13 emerging as a higher upside objective. On the other hand, rejection at resistance would likely keep XRP trading in a range. However, as long as the price remains above the $2.00 area, the overall bullish structure stays intact. This is not a breakdown scenario; rather, it reflects tightening price action that often precedes a strong expansion. Triple Tap Hits Range Highs, Reaching A Key Inflection Point In a recent market update, CrediBULL Crypto noted that XRP has now completed its triple-tap move, successfully reaching the upper boundary of its range. With liquidity at the range highs already taken, the market now stands at a clear crossroads, presenting two distinct paths for price action going forward. Related Reading: Why XRP Is Gearing Up For A Massive Week The first scenario frames the recent move as nothing more than a relief bounce, sweeping liquidity at the highs before resuming its local downtrend, within the higher-timeframe uptrend. If this plays out, price could move lower again, potentially dropping below the $1.77 level. In the alternative scenario, the triple-tap pattern is interpreted as the formation of a solid base of structural demand. Under this view, pullbacks are likely to be met with buying interest, with the $1.77 lows acting as a support zone rather than a level to be broken. Weighing the broader context, particularly Bitcoin’s position and overall market conditions, CrediBULL leans toward the second outcome. That bias favors looking for long opportunities, with the expectation that XRP will continue to expand higher and eventually target untapped levels above the current range. Featured image from Freepik, chart from Tradingview.com
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Coinbase CEO opposes Senate crypto bill draft, warning it threatens DeFi and tokenized equities as Lummis signals hearing may be postponed.
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