Bitcoin’s recent price action reflects a consolidation phase rather than a decisive move in either direction. After briefly touching an all-time high of over $123,000 earlier this month, BTC has seen a gradual pullback, currently trading around $118,000 at the time of writing. This represents a 1.1% drop in the last 24 hours and a 3.9% decline from its peak, as traders evaluate whether the current market structure suggests a continuation or a correction. According to new insights from CryptoQuant contributors, indicators present a split narrative. Some metrics suggest rising optimism among traders, while others indicate a more cautious and holding-focused environment. Related Reading: Trump Shares Viral Bitcoin Breakdown — Here’s What He Posted Surge in Long Positions Raises Contrarian Concerns CryptoQuant contributor BorisVest highlighted a notable spike in the long/short sentiment ratio on Binance, showing a growing preference among traders for long positions. This metric, which tracks the volume of long versus short positions on the exchange, has tilted significantly bullish within the $116,000–$120,000 price range. He noted that during Bitcoin’s previous consolidation between $100,000 and $110,000, sentiment leaned toward short positions, a setup that preceded a breakout to the upside and a wave of short liquidations. This time, however, the environment has flipped. BorisVest explained: Now that sentiment is skewed heavily toward longs, the same principle could apply in reverse. When the majority positions in one direction, it often creates a setup for the opposite move. The current range is acting as a trap zone, where traders’ expectations are repeatedly tested. The historical tendency for sentiment extremes to precede contrary price action has prompted some analysts to advise caution, suggesting that growing bullish bias could lead to a temporary reversal if met with enough liquidity pressure. Bitcoin Exchange Flow Patterns Reflect Investor Patience While Binance sentiment data leans bullish, another key on-chain indicator paints a different picture. CryptoQuant analyst Arab Chain examined the Bitcoin Flow Pulse (IFP) indicator, which tracks BTC movements to centralized exchanges. Related Reading: Bitcoin Must Defend This Key Support For $180,000 Year-End Target, Analyst Says According to the data, despite Bitcoin’s recent high above $120,000, there has not been a corresponding spike in exchange inflows, suggesting that investors are not rushing to take profits or exit the market. This behavior contrasts with historical cycles in 2017 and 2021, where price peaks were accompanied by large exchange inflows and followed by corrections. Arab Chain wrote: The market now shows a consolidating trend, with reduced selling pressure. The low flow to exchanges indicates confidence among holders and suggests that many participants are expecting the uptrend to continue. Still, he cautioned that a shift in the IFP indicator, such as a sudden rise in exchange flows, could act as an early warning for increased supply pressure. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView Source: newsbtc.com (Read Full Article)

XRP price started a downside correction from the $3.650 zone. The price is now trading below $3.30 and remains at risk of more losses. XRP price started a downside correction below the $3.50 zone. The price is now trading below $3.450 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $3.30 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The pair could start another increase if it stays above the $3.050 zone. XRP Price Dips Further XRP price started a fresh decline after it failed to clear the $3.650 resistance zone, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price declined below the $3.450 and $3.350 support levels. The decline was such that the price traded below the $3.120 level. A low was formed at $3.050 and the price is now consolidating losses near the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $3.650 swing high to the $3.050 low. The price is now trading below $3.450 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $3.30 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair. On the upside, the price might face resistance near the $3.2320 level. The first major resistance is near the $3.2650 level. A clear move above the $3.2650 resistance might send the price toward the $3.350 resistance or the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $3.650 swing high to the $3.050 low. Any more gains might send the price toward the $3.450 resistance or even $3.50 in the near term. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be near the $3.650 zone. Another Drop? If XRP fails to clear the $3.350 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $3.150 level. The next major support is near the $3.120 level. If there is a downside break and a close below the $3.120 level, the price might continue to decline toward the $3.050 support. The next major support sits near the $3.00 zone. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is now losing pace in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $3.120 and $3.050. Major Resistance Levels – $3.250 and $3.350. Source: newsbtc.com (Read Full Article)