How to read Bitcoin candlestick charts (no experience needed)
Key takeawaysBitcoin candlesticks are a popular tool among Bitcoin traders because they’re simple to use and offer an intuitive way to understand market sentiment and trends.Bitcoin candlesticks are a rather old tool. Rice trader Honma Munehisa invented them in Japan as far back as the 18th century. They were introduced to Western financial markets in the late 1980s.They help you understand bullish and bearish patterns in technical analysis. This knowledge will get you started with Bitcoin trading.They should not be your only tool for making informed decisions. Combine them with other Bitcoin technical indicators, such as MAs (moving averages) or the RSI (relative strength index). If you’re new to Bitcoin (BTC) trading, you may wonder when to buy or sell. Candlestick charts, like bar or line graphs, have time on the horizontal axis, while the price data appears on the vertical axis. They provide a quick look at price movements when compared to other charts. You can quickly view the highest and lowest prices of an asset in a specific timeframe. It also shows the opening and closing prices. Here are a few Bitcoin trading tips to help you get started. No experience needed; this is your go-to crypto candlestick chart tutorial, perfectly suited for beginners.Why analyze Bitcoin price chartsTechnical analysis is an essential and consolidated strategy for trading markets. When Bitcoin (BTC) started picking up and prices fluctuated more, crypto investors began to use trading strategies from traditional markets, such as candlesticks. For Bitcoin technical analysis basics, platforms like TradingView offer many charts and technical indicators. These tools are easy to use, even for beginners. TradingView crypto charts can be candlestick, bar or line charts. Here’s an overview of candlestick charts to help you get started with Bitcoin trading.Beginner’s guide to Bitcoin candlestick chartsCandlestick charts are a milestone in technical analysis and the first step to understanding Bitcoin charts. They are an essential tool to quickly assess price movements and market trends in the short term. They represent Bitcoin’s price trends on a chart over a specific period, such as one hour, four hours or one day, to help traders make better decisions.Why use candlesticks? They help traders visualize price movements over time.They help identify bullish, bearish or consolidation sentiment.They help spot patterns like reversals or continuations to predict future price movements.A candlestick represents four key price points:The opening price at the start of the periodThe closing price at the end of the periodThe highest price reached during the periodThe lowest price reached during the period.A candlestick is formed of a body, the bulky part between the open and close prices. It is green when the price goes up in a bullish move, and the closing price is higher than the opening price. It is red when the closing price is lower than the opening price, so the price is in a bearish movement as it goes down.The body size shows strong buying and selling pressure when it’s long. It indicates uncertainty when it’s short. A candlestick also has wicks, or shadows. They are thin lines above and below the body that indicate the highest or lowest prices the asset hit during the relevant trading frame.Here’s a useful example that may help you understand it better. Suppose you’re analyzing the four-hour chart using candlesticks, and Bitcoin’s opening price is $90,000. The closing price is $93,500, with a high of $95,000 and a low of $88,700. In this instance, the candlestick will appear as a green body from $90,000 to $93,500. An upper wick hitting $95,000 and a lower wick dipping to $88,700.Advantages of Bitcoin candlestick chart Bitcoin candlestick charts offer several advantages, including:Candlestick charts offer you a quick view of market sentiment and price movement. They show if the market is positive or negative and how strong that feeling is. You can pick different timeframes based on your trading style, whether you’re a day trader, swing trader or long-term investor.For example, the one-minute chart works well for scalping, while the daily chart is better for long-term investors. As crypto markets are open 24 hours a day, the open and close prices reflect the start and end of the chosen timeframe.Introduction to advanced crypto charting techniques to trade BTCCandlesticks are a great way to start trading Bitcoin. They give you a quick look at market trends and help predict price movements. Once you know the basic charts and skills, you can explore advanced techniques. For example, using moving averages can help you make better investing decisions.Here are some of the best tools Bitcoin traders use to leverage technical analysis, volume and market psychology. These strategies give traders an edge in the ever-changing crypto market.1. Fibonacci retracement Fibonacci retracement is a technical analysis tool used to spot potential support and resistance levels, as well as price targets. To use this method, draw lines connecting a major high and low on the chart. Then, calculate retracement levels using Fibonacci ratios like 23.6%, 38.2%, 50% and 61.8%. You can use the Fibonacci retracement for confirmation when paired with trendlines or moving averages. 2. Volume profileVolume profile is another tool for technical analysis. It shows trading volume for price instead of time. Knowing where trading happens most helps traders spot key price levels. These levels often create strong support and resistance zones. 3. Elliot Wave TheoryThe Elliott Wave theory is a prediction model of price movements based on market psychology and wave patterns. According to the theory, the market moves in trends of five waves, followed by three waves of correction, with each wave reflecting trader sentiment.4. Other indicatorsThe relative strength index (RSI) is one of the most common charting indicators. It measures the strength of Bitcoin’s upward and downward price movements over time.The simple moving average (SMA) indicates the average price of an asset over time, which can help you understand Bitcoin’s overall price movement. The exponential moving average (EMA) is a better alternative to the SMA for identifying short-term trends. Like the SMA, the EMA shows you the average price of an asset over time, but the EMA focuses more on recent days.Caution! Reading Bitcoin candlesticks or any other charts is a great first step toward understanding market behavior, but remember charts don’t guarantee outcomes. Always combine technical insights with risk management, and never trade more than you can afford to lose.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.
Pakistan appoints special assistant to PM on blockchain and crypto
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Pakistan Crypto Council CEO Bilal Bin Saqib as his special assistant on blockchain and crypto.Saqib’s appointment takes effect immediately under Rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973. He has been granted the status of minister of state and will serve without salary or official benefits, according to a May 26 report in the English-language local news outlet, Pakistan Observer.The move follows a series of government initiatives aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s presence in the digital asset space. Just one day prior, Pakistan allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity exclusively for Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence centers.In mid-May, Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance also endorsed the creation of a dedicated body to regulate the country’s blockchain-based financial infrastructure. The Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA) will serve as a regulatory body to oversee licensing, regulate exchanges, custodians, wallets, tokenized platforms, stablecoins and decentralized finance applications.Related: Pakistan eyes crypto legal framework to boost foreign investmentSaqib named special blockchain assistantSaqib is a graduate of the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom and received the title of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from King Charles III. He currently leads the Pakistan Crypto Council, where he appointed former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao as an adviser. He was also named in the Forbes 30 under 30 list.As a special assistant to the prime minister, Saqib will be tasked with drafting Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-compliant crypto regulations, launching state-backed Bitcoin (BTC) mining projects, and overseeing blockchain integration in governance, land records and finance. He will not receive a salary, perks or privileges, according to Pakistan Observer.Related: Pakistan moves to regulate cryptocurrency, CBDCs as legal tenderPakistan investing in cryptoPakistan is diving headfirst into the crypto industry. In late April, the Donald Trump-backed World Liberty Financial has signed a Letter of Intent with the Pakistan Crypto Council to accelerate crypto adoption in the country, one of the industry’s fastest-growing markets.Pakistani regulators recently proposed a regulatory framework for digital assets that is compliance-focused and in line with rules laid out by the FATF. Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director Sumera Azam described the framework as a “paradigm shift in how Pakistan views digital finance.” “The policy proposal seeks to strike a historic balance between technological advancement and national security imperatives,” Azam said in April.Magazine: AI cures blindness, ‘good’ propaganda bots, OpenAI doomsday bunker: AI Eye
Solana following Bitcoin? Network activity, chart pattern point to $300 SOL price
Key takeaways:Solana's $9.4 billion TVL is a 54% increase since April 7.Solana’s memecoin daily trading volume has more than doubled since early April. A bullish V-shaped recovery pattern projects SOL price to rise toward $300.Solana’s native token, SOL, surged 86% between April 7 and May 26, following a broader altcoin market rally that also saw Bitcoin hit new all-time highs above $111,000. Since then, SOL has struggled to break above $180, but onchain and technical data still suggest further gains are in store for the altcoin. Can SOL hit all-time highs above $300?Solana’s TVL up 54% since April 7The total value locked (TVL) on the Solana blockchain has increased by over 54% to $9.44 billion on May 26 from multimonth lows of $6.12 billion on April 7. It’s also up by almost 20% over the last 30 days.Solana TVL. Source: DefiLlamaData from DefiLlama highlighted that the subsequent increase in TVL was led by Raydium, with a whopping 52% increase in a month. Other major decentralized applications such as Jupiter DEX, Jito liquid staking and Kamino Lending gained 12%, 25% and 11%, respectively.While Solana ranks as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, the Solana network is ahead of the other top layer-1 blockchains in terms of TVL, second only to Ethereum. Blockchain ranked by TVL, USD. Source: DefiLlamaHowever, Solana’s $9.5 billion TVL surpasses that of the Ethereum layer-2 ecosystem, which includes Base, Arbitrum and Optimism. It is also larger than BNB Chain’s, which integrates seamlessly with Binance and Trust Wallet.Solana memecoin market cap gains 65%The rise in Solana’s TVL mirrors an increase in memecoin market capitalization as prices recovered across the board.Most Solana-based memecoins have posted double-digit daily losses in the weekly and monthly timeframes, as shown in the figure below. A majority of these tokens are 50% to 80% from local lows. Solana-based tokens performance. Source: CoinGeckoAs a result, Solana's collective memecoin market cap increased to $13.4 billion on May 26 from $8.1 billion on April 8, a 65% climb in less than two months.Related: Solana ‘will make everyone an investor’ — Solana nCMOThis rise in the prices of Solana-based memecoins and market cap was preceded by increasing DEX activity on the layer-1 blockchain.Memecoin trading volume on Solana. Source: Blockworks ResearchThe increase in memecoin activity on Solana indicates high network activity and rising usage, positively impacting demand and SOL price. SOL’s “V” chart pattern targets all-time highsSOL’s price action has been painting a V-shaped pattern on the weekly chart since January, as shown below.A V-shaped recovery is a bullish pattern formed when an asset experiences a sharp price increase after a steep decline. It is completed when the price moves up to the resistance at the top of the V formation, also known as the neckline.SOL appears to be on a similar trajectory and now trades below a supply-demand zone between $180 and $200. A breakout here would increase the chances of the price rising to the neckline at $252 to complete the V-shaped pattern. Beyond that, the next target would be the all-time high above $295, representing a 66% increase from the current price.SOL/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe relative strength index has increased to 53 at the time of writing from 36 at the end of March, suggesting that bullish momentum is picking up.As Cointelegraph reported, SOL price could rise by 45% with a decisive bullish breakout above $180 in the coming days.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.
Strategy bags 4,020 Bitcoin as price briefly breaks $110K
Michael Saylor’s Strategy, the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin investor, bagged a fresh stash of BTC as the price briefly surged above $110,000 last week.Strategy acquired 4,020 Bitcoin (BTC) for $427.1 million between May 19 and 23, the company announced on May 26.The latest purchases were made at an average price of $106,237 per coin, with Bitcoin smashing past $110,000 on May 22.The acquisition marked the fourth Bitcoin purchase by Strategy in May, bringing Strategy’s total BTC holdings to 580,250 BTC, acquired for about $40.6 billion at an average price of $69,979 per coin.Strategy director sells 2,650 MSTR sharesStrategy’s new Bitcoin acquisition followed a series of Class A sales by Strategy director Jarrod Patten.According to a Strategy report of the proposed sale of securities filed on May 22, Patten sold 2,650 MSTR shares in the period between May 16 and 21, worth nearly $1.1 million.Since April 22, Patten has sold a total of 17,050 Class A shares worth $6.7 million.The past three MSTR sales are from Strategy’s report on the proposed sale of securities. Source: SECAdditionally, Strategy’s chief financial officer, Andrew Kang, sold 2,185 Class A shares on May 23, netting $719,447, according to an amended report filed on May 23.MSTR slides 12% after class-action lawsuitStrategy’s new purchase reflects Saylor’s philosophy of acquiring Bitcoin no matter how high the prices are, as he previously vowed to keep buying Bitcoin at the top forever in late 2024.In the meantime, Strategy’s shares have been tumbling from their all-time highs, losing at least 12% in the past week, with prices falling from around $420 to $369, according to TradingView data.Related: Strategy will beat all public equities with Bitcoin, analyst saysStrategy (MSTR) five-day price chart. Source: TradingViewThe highest historic closing price on record for MSTR stock was around $474, recorded on Nov. 19, 2024.The recent drop in Strategy shares came after the company was hit with a class-action lawsuit alleging it had misrepresented Bitcoin investments. Filed on May 19, the suit seeks to recover losses of shareholders who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud in April 2025.Magazine: Arthur Hayes $1M Bitcoin tip, altcoins ‘powerful rally’ looms: Hodler’s Digest, May 11 – 17
Hedera Africa Hackathon launches with $1M prize pool and Web3 focus
The Hashgraph Association and the Exponential Science Foundation have launched the Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025, a global event designed to accelerate Web3 and artificial intelligence adoption across the African continent. With a prize pool of $1 million, the hackathon will run from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 and aims to attract over 10,000 participants across 15 African countries, according to a news release shared with Cointelegraph.Organized by two nonprofit organizations — the Switzerland-based Hashgraph Association and the tech research-focused Exponential Science Foundation — the event is open to developers, students and entrepreneurs worldwide.“We aim to use technologies that converge Web3 with AI to create transparent cognitive solutions that optimize processes and facilitate decision-making and automate the execution,” said Kamal Youssefi, the president of the board of directors at the Hashgraph Association.All solutions will be built on the Hedera network across four tracks: onchain finance and real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation; ESG sustainability and traceability; self-sovereign identity (SSI) and AI; and gaming, metaverse and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Up to 15 outstanding teams will receive prizes based on innovation, impact and alignment with the hackathon’s goals.Onsite hackathon map Source: Hedera-hackathon.hashgraphThis Hackathon covers large areas in Africa, with onsite events in over 20 African cities including Lagos, Cairo, Nairobi, Kinshasa, Cape Town, Casablanca and Tunis.Interest in Africa’s Web3 potential is growing, with more than 50 partners and 100 universities and tech hubs having already joined the Hedera Africa Hackathon. Related: African economies show high potential for digital asset adoptionAfrica’s Web3 talents are poised for global impactDue to high inflation, a weak banking system and widespread corruption, many people in Africa lack access to reliable financial services. This creates opportunities for Web3 projects like Jambo and Yellow Card to offer alternatives for saving and earning.Related: South African firm chooses Bitcoin reserve strategy as inflation hedgeKamal highlighted Africa’s strength in its “young population with ambitious tech talents.” He cited Hedera’s partnership with Orange, a telecommunications operator, to launch digital empowerment programs across 16 African countries — initiatives that “include training, certification and the establishment of incubation and accelerator centers.”“Africa brings a unique advantage to Web3, a demographic edge and a proven capacity for digital adoption,” said Paolo Tasca, executive chairman of the Exponential Science Foundation. “Yet barriers remain, particularly in foundational infrastructure and education.”Governments are also ramping up talent development. Nigeria, for example, recently launched an annual initiative to train 1,000 citizens in artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight
Ethereum co-founder responds to Sweden’s cashless-society rethink
As Sweden reconsiders its push toward a cashless society, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin highlighted the fragility of centralized digital payments and the opportunity presented by decentralized payment alternatives. In recent years, Sweden has led the charge toward a cashless future, with digital payment platforms becoming widespread. However, as concerns over cyber-threats, civil defense and instability have emerged, Swedish authorities are now actively encouraging citizens to keep some cash. Buterin noted the reversal illustrates that while centralized solutions may be efficient, they may not be reliable during times of crisis. “Nordics are walking back the cashless society initiative because their centralized implementation of the concept is too fragile,” Buterin wrote, citing a March 16 article by The Guardian. “Cash turns out necessary as a backup.”Source: Vitalik ButerinHow Ethereum can play a role in a crisisA former central bank official predicted in 2018 that Sweden would be cashless after seven years. In 2025, the prediction mostly held, with only one in 10 transactions in the country being done in cash, according to The Guardian.Still, while the Nordic country was an early adopter of digital payments, its government published a brochure encouraging citizens to keep a week’s worth of cash in case of war or crisis. Sweden’s reconsideration has revealed the issue of centralized digital payment infrastructure remaining reliable in times of instability, Buterin suggested. Buterin said Ethereum can be a decentralized financial fallback in times of crisis. “Ethereum needs to be resilient enough, and private enough, to be able to credibly play this kind of role,” Buterin said. When asked if fully offline zero-knowledge technology-secured private transfers were close to practical implementation, Buterin said the tech know-how is already there, but there are still limitations: “We basically know how to do it, but with the limitation that any solution depends on trusted hardware and/or post hoc enforcement against double-spenders.” Related: Vitalik Buterin proposes partially stateless nodes for Ethereum scalingCrypto payments exec thinks crypto won’t replace fiatWhile crypto payment solutions are becoming more common, Mercuryo co-founder and CEO Petr Kozyakov has said that crypto will not replace fiat. Kozyakov told Cointelegraph in an interview that crypto payments are seeing an increase in demand and adoption. However, the executive said that instead of cryptocurrencies fully replacing fiat money as a payment method, the two payment options will coexist. Kozyakov told Cointelegraph that people will use crypto when it’s easier and more practical.Magazine: TradFi is building Ethereum L2s to tokenize trillions in RWAs: Inside story
Bitcoin price levels to watch as Trump delays EU tariffs
Key points:US President Donald Trump has extended the deadline of a proposed 50% tariff on EU goods to July 9.A temporary easing in trade tensions could help fuel Bitcoin’s rally to new all-time highs.Bitcoin’s (BTC) price climbed back above $109,000 during the late trading hours on May 25, as traders responded to President Donald Trump’s decision to delay the implementation of tariffs on EU goods until July 9.Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView revealed that BTC rose by as much as 3.2% to an intraday high of $110,100 on May 26 from a low of $106,660 on May 25. BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewTrump extends EU tariff deadlineBitcoin’s recovery above $109,000 followed Trump’s decision to delay a proposed 50% tariff on European Union goods, easing trade tensions and fueling renewed optimism across risk assets.Source: Donald TrumpThis decision came after a call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said that the EU needed until July 9 to “reach a good deal” with the United States.Good call with @POTUS.The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship. Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 25, 2025Trump had initially proposed a 20% tariff on most EU imports in April, later reducing it to 10% to allow time for talks. On May 23, he threatened to raise tariffs to 50% by June, causing Bitcoin to dip below $108,000, reflecting market sensitivity to trade tensions. Market participants said the extension placed Bitcoin back on track to continue its uptrend.“Bitcoin will pump again,” said pseudonymous BTC investor Random Crypto Pal in response to the news. “Bitcoin is gaining momentum because of Europe tariffs delays (July 9),” said fellow Kevin T, adding:“I hope they settle everything and let the market go super bullish.”BTC price headed for an 8-week win streakBTC’s close above $109,000 on May 25 was the seventh consecutive bullish weekly close, as shown in the chart below.If Bitcoin continues to maintain its upward trajectory, it is likely to close green for the eighth consecutive week on June 1.BTC/USD weekly close. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewHistorically, such a scenario has preceded six to 12 months of positive price action.“Since 2014, an 8-week streak of green weekly closes has occurred only three times,” said crypto analyst and trader Carpe Noctom in a May 26 post on X, adding: “Following eight consecutive positive weekly closes, the market has historically been negative one week later, but has always been positive 6 months and 1 year later.”BTC performance following eight straight bullish closes/ Source: Carpe NoctomIf history repeats itself, BTC could continue rising this week, then drop or consolidate next week to retest key support levels before entering a parabolic phase for the rest of the year.Related: Bitcoin bears eye $69K, CZ denies WLF ‘fixer’ rumors: Hodler’s Digest, May 18 – 24Key Bitcoin price levels to watchBitcoin must flip the all-time high at $111,900 into support to continue its price discovery.As Cointelegraph reported, BTC price could rally to fresh record highs of $130,000 if the bulls push above the $109,588 to $111,980 overhead resistance zone, BTC/USD must hold above the weekly close at $109,0 for this to happen00. Below that is a major demand zone from $104,500 to $106,000. Other levels to watch on the downside are the daily support at $102,500, which supported the price between May 9 and May 19, and the psychological level at $100,000.Bitcoin daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewTrader Micky Bull said it was “very critical” for the BTC/USD pair to close the day above the previous all-time high of $109,000 reached on Jan. 20.MN Capital founder Michael van de Poppe pointed out that if Bitcoin continued “holding on to the point of interest” between $105,500 and $107,000, it could see fresh all-time highs over the next few days.“On to $125,000 into June.”BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: Michael van de PoppeThis 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.
$1M Bitcoin by 2030: Big names predict massive debt-driven BTC rally
Some prominent financial commentators and investment analysts are predicting a long-term Bitcoin rally that may send the asset’s price above $1 million before the end of the decade, driven by rising inflation and mounting global debt.ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood said Bitcoin (BTC) could reach $1.5 million by 2030 in her firm’s “Bull Case” forecast. In a Feb. 11 video, Wood said the price would require BTC to grow at a compound annual rate of 58% over the next five years, largely fueled by increased institutional adoption.Bitcoin price targets 2030. Source: ARK InvestRelated: Bitcoin hits new all-time high of $109K as trade war tensions easeRobert Kiyosaki, a popular financial educator and the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, predicted a more modest Bitcoin price of $1 million by 2035.“I strongly believe, by 2035, that one Bitcoin will be over $ 1 million, Gold will be $30,000, and silver $3,000 a coin,” Kiyosaki wrote in an April 18 X post, citing the record US federal and credit card debt in 2025 as the main driver for safe-haven assets such as precious metals and Bitcoin.The rising fiscal debt may lead to the “biggest stock market crash in history,” which could make investors “very rich” if they hedged by investing in “just one Bitcoin, or some gold, or silver,” predicted Kiyosaki.Related: Bitcoin more of a ‘diversifier’ than safe-haven asset: ReportOther analysts, including Raoul Pal, have pointed to fiat currency debasement as a key reason behind Bitcoin’s appeal as a hedge.Eric Trump praised Bitcoin in a keynote speech at Bitcoin MENA in Abu Dhabi. Source: YouTubeIn December 2024, Eric Trump, the son of US President Donald Trump and the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, also predicted that Bitcoin would hit $1 million, citing its potential to “transform the global economy in beautiful ways.” Analysts target $200,000 in 2025 Bitcoin’s price action historically moves in $16,000 price increments, according to 10x Research’s CEO and head of research, Markus Thielen.Based on the latest price action, this signals that Bitcoin’s next significant resistance is near $122,000, Thielen told Cointelegraph during the Chain Reaction daily X spaces show on May 22, adding:“We have been quite bullish over the last five or six weeks. We have been bearish coming out of the Trump inauguration in February, but we turned quite bullish.”“Open interest is high, but the funding rate is low, which I think indicates that, you know, people try to short this rally,” said Thielen, adding that $122,000 remains the next significant price target to confirm the continuation of Bitcoin’s rally.Source: CointelegraphBitcoin may extend its rally to a price top of over $200,000 by the end of 2025, according to Bitwise’s head of European research, André Dragosch.“Greg Foss, the Canadian Bitcoiner, has put forth a model that can value Bitcoin based on a basket of G20 sovereign bonds,” Dragosch said, adding:“Based on today’s default probability across all these G20 sovereign bonds, it’s already above $200,000 for Bitcoin.”He added that growing concerns over sovereign credit risk and institutional inflows could be the catalyst for Bitcoin’s next rally. Magazine: Arthur Hayes $1M Bitcoin tip, altcoins ‘powerful rally’ looms: Hodler’s Digest, May 11 – 17
XRP price top is in? Network metrics put 385% rally at risk
Key takeaways:Over 70% of XRP’s realized cap was accumulated near recent highs, echoing previous market top patterns.XRP’s active address count has plunged over 90% since March 2025, signaling reduced transactional demand.A falling wedge pattern points to a potential 25% drop toward key support at the $1.76 level.XRP (XRP) has rallied more than 385% since late 2024, but fresh onchain analysis warns that this surge may have attracted buyers at increasingly vulnerable levels.XRP data warns about potential market top More than 70% of XRP’s realized market capitalization — a measure of the XRP value based on the price at which each token last moved — has been accumulated between late 2024 and early 2025, according to Glassnode.Source: @CryptoVizArtThe realized cap of the 3-to-6-month group — a younger coin age band — has risen since November 2024, including dramatic increases witnessed after January 2025, when the XRP price peaked at around $3.40.This top-heavy market structure is historically fragile, as newer investors tend to be more sensitive to price swings, often triggering sharper sell-offs during corrections.In late 2017, XRP saw a massive influx of capital from young coins just before peaking near $3.55, followed by a prolonged 95% drawdown. XRP realized cap by age. Source: GlassnodeThe pattern repeated in 2021, when another sharp rise in the realized cap by short-term holders preceded a nearly 80% decline, raising the possibility that XRP may have formed a local top in January 2025 and will continue declining in the coming months.XRP’s network activity coolsXRP’s number of active addresses spiked sharply in March 2025, hitting record levels. Since then, activity has dropped by over 90%, returning to levels seen before the breakout.XRP active addresses count. Source: GlassnodeHistorically, similar divergences between rising prices and falling onchain activity — seen in late 2017 and early 2021 — have appeared near local market tops. Related: XRP price fails to respond to two extremely bullish developments — Here is whyWhile it’s not a guaranteed warning sign, the sharp drop in active addresses could mean fewer people are using XRP to send or receive funds, and more are just holding.XRP technicals hint at 25% price declineXRP's weekly chart shows the price consolidating within a falling wedge pattern. As of May 26, the cryptocurrency was showing signs of entering a short-term correction cycle after failing to break above the wedge’s upper trendline.XRP/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewA broader pullback could push the XRP price toward the wedge’s lower trendline if the recent price action is any indication. The lower trendline aligns with the 50-week exponential moving average (50-week EMA; the red wave) near $1.76, down about 25% from the current levels.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.
BTC price seeks $155K 'trigger' — 5 things to know in Bitcoin this week
Bitcoin (BTC) bounces back to near fresh all-time highs as a testing macro week unfolds for risk-asset traders.BTC price action dipped below $107,000 before rebounding into the weekly close, as some eagerly anticipate new record highs.US inflation data meets bond market woes this week as the Federal Reserve shows no signs of cutting interest rates.On exchanges, the taker buy/sell ratio is causing concern for analysis amid cooling order book activity.One whale, however, is having fun, and his successive longs and shorts are being increasingly watched in trading circles.Funding rates are not spiking despite current prices, a key silver lining for price upside sustainability. Bitcoin price discovery on the radar after reboundBitcoin swapped late-weekend weakness for gains into the May 25 weekly candle close, ultimately taking BTC/USD above the $110,000 mark.Volatility is continuing as the week gets underway, with old all-time highs from January a key area of interest.Commenting, trader Daan Crypto Trades argued that despite the last-minute recovery, Bitcoin needed a more convincing close to seal the likelihood of further gains.The weekly candle closed at $109,100, per data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView — around $200 below the January high.BTC/USD 1-week chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView“Not a great looking weekly candle for an all-time high break. Generally you want to see strong continuation especially considering the ~$2B+ in ETF inflows that came in since breaching that previous high,” he told X followers in one of his latest posts.Forecasting an “interesting week,” Daan Crypto Trades referenced the ongoing popularity of the US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which last week took in $2.75 billion.$BTC is forming a bullish penant here.It bounced back nicely from support level, which is a good sign.Despite $1B long position closing and low liquidity volume, bears didn't take BTC down.I think the next week will be good for BTC.I can smell a new ATH again. pic.twitter.com/4cQhrlINIb— Cas Abbé (@cas_abbe) May 25, 2025Others have new record highs in sight thanks to price action reversing upward at just below $107,000.“$BTC has completed the breakout. Now it’s about follow-through,” fellow trader BitBull summarized. “Clean breakout from consolidation, retest underway. If this structure holds, the next target zone is $155K in sight — Momentum only needs a trigger.”BTC/USDT perpetual swaps 1-day chart. Source: BitBull/XBond yields meet PCE in tough macro weekThe Federal Reserve’s “preferred” inflation gauge highlights the week’s US macroeconomic data prints amid the threat of rising interest rates.The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index print for April is due on May 29, along with initial jobless claims. These will follow the first revision of Q1 GDP, while in the background, rising bond yields are causing concern. Last week’s threat of 50% trade tariffs on the EU from US President Donald Trump appeared to worsen the situation.“It’s like clockwork: President Trump delays 50% EU tariffs until July 9th. Then, the 10Y Note Yield instantly rises back above 4.55%,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter wrote in an X thread on the topic. “Trade deals are no longer containing the bond market.”Kobeissi described rising interest rates as Trump’s “biggest problem,” warning of a lethal combination of trade deals and high benchmark interest rates.“The Fed refuses to cut rates and trade deals are driving yields higher,” it summarized.The minutes of the Fed’s May meeting, at which officials decided to hold rates at current levels, will be released this week.Fed target rate probabilities (screenshot). Source: CME GroupThe latest data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool showed subdued market expectations of a rate cut this year, with no such action anticipated before the Fed’s September meeting.Exchanges flash “bearish” momentum signalExchange order books are one element of the market giving analysts bearish signals as the week begins.In coverage of the taker buy/sell ratio, onchain analytics platform CryptoQuant announced a “strong bearish” trajectory as both buyers and sellers wound down activity.“Across centralized exchanges (CEXs), both taker buy and taker short volumes have dropped significantly,” contributor Crazzyblockk wrote in one of its “Quicktake” blog posts. “This indicates a cooling in market order aggressiveness on both sides, often a precursor to reduced short-term momentum and increased uncertainty.”Bitcoin taker buy/sell ratio. Source: CryptoQuantThe taker buy/sell ratio tracks the ratio of buy-to-sell volume across takers during perpetual swap trades, and on May 25, it slid below the key level of 1 for the first time since early April.Crazzyblockk concluded that sellers were “beginning to dominate.”“Simultaneously, 7-day price volatility is spiking, a typical signal of market inflection zones,” the blog post continued.“Current data points to a turning point in market sentiment. With buyer exhaustion growing and volatility accelerating, the likelihood of a short-term correction increases. Price action may test support near the 105K level, if bearish pressure intensifies.”Exchange taker buy/sell ratio signal (screenshot). Source: CryptoQuantBefore last week’s macro-driven price retreat, Cointelegraph reported on taker data, conversely implying a fresh round of upside thanks to buy-side pressure remaining strong.Hyperliquid’s Wynn heads to memecoinsUp or down, Bitcoin is currently a prime target for large-volume traders entering sizable speculative positions.As Cointelegraph continues to report, one entity in particular, Hyperliquid’s James Wynn, flipped from long to short and back again within a few days.While just one “whale” trader out of many, Wynn’s moves have gained considerable attention, and with it sway over sentiment.An initial $125 million long position was exited at a loss thanks to the latest US tariff headlines, with Wynn then entering a short. This, however, lasted a matter of hours before he returned with another 40X leveraged long, BTC/USD reversing higher at the same time.Let’s reverse this double time— James Wynn 🐳 (@JamesWynnReal) May 26, 2025“To all the fans and haters: We had a good run gambling on perps,” Wynn wrote in a subsequent X post announcing his latest trade exits, this time in profit to the tune of $25 million.To all the fans and haters: We had a good run gambling on perps At peak the account was up $87,000,000 profits from like $3-$4m. Now decided to leave the casino with my $25,000,000 profit It’s been fun, but now it’s time for me to walk away a wynner Wynn 1-0 Haters… pic.twitter.com/vuUiET2CQZ— James Wynn 🐳 (@JamesWynnReal) May 26, 2025Monitoring his activity, analytics platform Lookonchain revealed other crypto bets, including a new long position on popular memecoin Pepe (PEPE).Funding rates boost short-squeeze betsZooming out, Bitcoin’s current breakout is making some market participants confident that price discovery is only beginning.Related: Bitcoin holds key support as HYPE, XMR, AAVE, WLD lead altcoin rallyFunding rates across derivatives platforms remain fairly neutral, they note — a similar picture to the run-up to previous all-time highs seen in late 2024.CryptoQuant data puts the cross-exchange Bitcoin funding rate at 0.006 as of May 25.“Sentiment is calm. No overleveraged longs piling in,” trader Jelle responded to the numbers. “This is one of the healthiest Bitcoin breakouts in a long time - looks ripe to move a lot higher.”Bitcoin funding rates. Source: CryptoQuantCrypto commentator Quinten Francois described the funding rates as reflecting a “perfect setup to rip higher.”Trader Crypto Eagles subsequently said that the combination of low funding and increasing open interest (OI) should boost the odds of a short squeeze.This is something I wanted to see and it has happened.BTC funding rate has turned negative, while OI is going up rapidly.Interestingly, this is happening during a low liquidity Sunday dump.Bears are getting too confident here and this always happens before a big short… pic.twitter.com/8RGIPsglxB— Crypto Eagles (@CryptoProject6) May 26, 2025This 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.
