Bitcoin, Ethereum Technical Analysis: BTC, ETH Decline as USD Strengthens Following Retail Sales Data

Bitcoin was in the red for a second consecutive session, as markets continued to digest the latest U.S. retail sales figures. Sales rose by more than expected in October, coming in at 1.3%, versus expectations of a 1% increase. The result fueled market belief that the U.S Federal Reserve will now pivot its policy. Ethereum dropped below $1,200 in today’s session.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin (BTC) fell for a second straight day, as markets continued to react to the latest U.S. retail sales report.

Following the better than expected increase in consumer spending, BTC/USD slipped to a low of $16,430.11 earlier in today’s session.

The drop comes a day after the token was at a high of $16,726.44, but it now seems to be heading for a recent price floor.

Looking at the chart, this support point appears to be at the $16,200 level, which has been the last line of defense prior to the token moving below $16,000 in recent days.

A positive for long-term bulls is that the 10-day (red) moving average looks as though it has somewhat exhausted its downward momentum, with a shift in sentiment potentially in the cards.

Should an upcoming floor of 34.00 on the relative strength index (RSI) hold firm, then we could see BTC bulls begin to buy this current dip.

Ethereum

In addition to bitcoin, ethereum (ETH) also plunged in today’s session, with prices falling below $1,200.

The world’s second largest cryptocurrency has been down by roughly 2% on Thursday, falling to a low of $1,189.21 in the process.

This decline saw ETH/USD break out of its recent floor, with the next visible point of support at the $1,105 mark.

Unlike BTC, it seems as though the moving averages on ETH could still be heading lower, which could prevent many bears from entering at this moment.

Currently, the RSI here is hovering near a floor of 38.00, and should this hold, we could see prices begin to rebound.

However, if a breakout does take place, it is likely we could see ethereum head below $1,100.

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Will the Federal Reserve change its monetary policy in the next meeting? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.