Bitcoin price clings to $20K as Bollinger Bands close in for volatility

Sideways action has little time left to run, metrics suggest, as shorters increase bets on a dip below $20,000.

Bitcoin (BTC) said “no” to volatility for a third day on July 7 as Wall Street trading began with little change in mood.

Next move “likely sets direction going forward”

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView followed BTC/USD as it fluctuated just north of $20,000, retaining a pattern characteristic of the week so far.

The pair stayed well within a defined range overnight, leading analysts to assume that a break up or down was next as a short-term prospect.

“Bitcoin strong consolidation at $20k, this can’t go on forever, triangle primed to break to upside or downside. But RSI bullish divergence tho,” Venturefounder, a contributor to on-chain analytics platform CryptoQuant, told Twitter followers on July 6.

“BTC going above $21,700 makes a higher high, going below $18,800 makes a lower low, the next move likely sets the direction forward.”

Bullish signals on Bitcoin’s relative strength index (RSI), like those referred to by Venturefounder, often precede BTC price followthrough, making the current RSI chart a key reference point on low timeframes.

Confirming the likelihood for volatility to return, meanwhile, Bollinger Bands on the daily chart stayed narrow — a classic prelude to a trend taking shape.

Regarding what direction that trend could take, all bets remained off on the day as caution summarized sentiment.

“Still not convinced with this type of price action,” crypto trader Ninja commented.

“below $20.6k is distribution imo, and any pumps shall be faded… the nuke is not over.”

Ninja additionally noted that short interest was building on exchange platform Bybit on the day, advising a hands-off approach until those positions unwound.

Calm before the CPI storm

On macro markets, the U.S. opened to modest gains, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Index up 1% and 1.3%, respectively, within the first 30 minutes.

Related: Bitcoin bulls may have to wait until 2024 for next BTC price ‘rocket stage’

A week before May’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data release, markets remained free of turbulence over inflation signals, in turn, keeping additional headwinds from impacting crypto-asset performance.

With opinions still mixed over how U.S. economic policy will change through 2023, trader Crypto Tony acknowledged that a true return to form for Bitcoin and altcoins may take longer than many realize.

“Personally on my worst-case scenario update i do not think we see the start of the next impulse until later next year and a new bull run peak until 2024 – 2025,” he tweeted on the day.

“I am already positioned at 22–24k and will add if we drop to 17 – 15k.”

Earlier, meanwhile, Cointelegraph reported on one trader’s theory that Bitcoin will confirm where the latest macro bottom is by July 15.

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