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Bitcoin price hovers near $35K as ETH, APT, QNT and RUNE turn bullish

BTC price advances toward $35,000, potentially opening the door for ETH, APT, QNT and RUNE to move higher.

Hopes of approval for a spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission boosted Bitcoin’s price by 27% in October. This improved sentiment, attracting aggressive buying by crypto investors.

Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO), the first futures-based ETF to get regulatory consent in the U.S. in 2021, saw its second biggest trading week ever at $1.7 billion. Similarly, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) recorded a volume of $800 million. The sharp uptick in volume in the existing instruments shows that spot Bitcoin ETFs are likely to witness huge volumes when they see the light of the day.

Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360

When the leader starts performing, it generally lifts the entire sector. That is seen in the strong performance of altcoins, which have risen sharply from their multi-year lows.

However, after the initial rally, some altcoins will struggle to maintain their up-move while a few will lead the markets higher. It is better to stick with the leaders as they are most likely to outperform during the next crypto bull phase.

Let’s look at the charts of the top-5 cryptocurrencies that may extend their rally in the next few days.

Bitcoin price analysis

Bitcoin pulled back from $35,280 on Oct. 24, indicating that higher levels are attracting selling by traders. The bears tried to start a deeper pullback on Oct. 27 but the long tail on the candlestick shows solid buying at lower levels.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

Although the rising moving averages indicate advantage to buyers, the overbought levels on the relative strength index (RSI) suggest that the BTC/USDT pair may spend some more time in consolidation.

The important level to watch out for on the downside is $32,400 and then $31,000. Sellers will have to pull the price below this zone to seize control.

Conversely, if the price turns up from the current level and breaks above $35,280, it will indicate the bulls are back in the driver’s seat. The pair may then surge to the next target objective at $40,000.

BTC/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The 20-EMA is gradually flattening out, indicating that the bulls are losing their grip in the near term. That could keep the pair range-bound between $35,280 and $33,200 for some time. If the bears yank the price below $33,200, the pair may tumble to $32,400.

On the contrary, if the price turns up and rallies above $35,280, it will indicate that the current consolidation was a continuation pattern. The pair could then skyrocket toward $40,000.

Ether price analysis

Ether (ETH) climbed above the $1,746 resistance on Oct. 23 and reached $1,865 on Oct. 26. This level attracted selling by short-term traders which pulled the price back toward the breakout level of $1,746.

ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The bulls successfully defended the retest to $1,746, indicating that the level may act as a new floor. The rising 20-day EMA ($1,693) and the RSI near the overbought zone, indicate that the bulls are in command. Buyers will then strive to push the price above $1,865. If they succeed, the ETH/USDT pair could soar to $2,000.

If bears want to prevent the upside, they will have to yank and sustain the price below $1,746. That could open the doors for a fall to the 20-day EMA.

ETH/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The 20-EMA on the 4-hour chart is flattening out and the RSI is near the midpoint, indicating a range-bound action in the near term. The pair may continue to swing between $1,746 and $1,865 for some time.

If bulls kick the price above $1,812, the likelihood of a rally to the overhead resistance of $1,865 increases. On the other hand, if the price maintains below the 20-EMA, the bears will attempt to tug the pair below $1,746. If that happens, the short-term trend will turn bearish.

Aptos (APT) price analysis

Aptos (APT) rallied sharply in the past few days, indicating that the bulls are attempting to make a comeback.

APT/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The APT/USDT pair witnessed profit-booking near $7 but a minor positive is that the bulls did not give up much ground. This shows that every minor dip is being purchased. The bulls will again try to overcome the obstacle at $7. If they manage to do that, the pair may start its march toward $8.

Instead, if the price turns down from $7, it will suggest that the bears remain active at higher levels. The pair may then spend some more time inside a tight range between $7 and $6.20. A break below this support could signal the start of a deeper correction.

APT/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The pair has been finding support at the 20-EMA but the negative divergence on the RSI suggests that the bullish momentum may be slowing down. If the price breaks and sustains below the 20-EMA, it will indicate the start of a deeper correction to the 50-SMA.

This remains the key level to watch on the downside because if it cracks, the pair may slump to $5.80. On the upside, the bulls will have to thrust the price above $7.02 to indicate the start of the next leg of the recovery.

Related: Ripple CEO criticizes former SEC Chair Jay Clayton’s comments

Quant price analysis

Quant (QNT) rose above the breakdown level of $95 on Oct. 23, indicating that the markets have rejected the lower levels. The buying continued and the bulls propelled the price above the downtrend line on Oct. 25. This signals a potential trend change.

QNT/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The short-term bulls seem to be booking profits after the recent rally. That may pull the price down to the downtrend line. This is an important level to keep an eye on because a drop below it may suggest that the rise above the downtrend line may have been a bull trap.

On the contrary, if the price snaps back from the downtrend line, it will suggest that the bulls have flipped the level into support. If buyers clear the hurdle at $110, it will indicate the resumption of the rally to $120 and then to $128.

QNT/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The 4-hour chart shows that the QNT/USDT pair is facing selling near $108. The bears pulled the price below the 20-EMA, indicating that the short-term traders are booking profits. If the price slips below $103, the pair may drop to $100.

Instead, if bulls sustain the price above the 20-EMA, it will suggest that lower levels continue to attract buyers. The bulls will then make one more attempt to drive the price above $110 and start the next leg of the up-move.

THORChain price analysis

THORChain (RUNE) broke and closed above the overhead resistance of $2 on Oct. 23, completing a bullish inverse head and shoulders pattern.

RUNE/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

Both moving averages are sloping up and the RSI is in the overbought zone indicating that bulls remain in command. However, in the short term, the RUNE/USDT pair may enter a minor correction or consolidation.

If the pair does not give up much ground from the current level, it will suggest that the bulls are holding on to their positions. That may improve the prospects of a rally to $3 and subsequently to the pattern target of $3.23. If bears want to prevent this uptrend, they will have to pull and sustain the price below $2.

RUNE/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The pair has been in a strong uptrend with the bulls buying the dips to the 20-EMA. Although the upsloping moving averages indicate advantage to buyers, the negative divergence on the RSI suggests that the bullish momentum may be weakening.

If the price skids below the 20-EMA, it could tempt short-term traders to book profits. That could pull the price to the 50-SMA.

Contrarily, if the price rebounds off the 20-EMA with strength, it will signal that the sentiment remains positive. The bulls will then try to resume the up-move with a break and close above $2.57.

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.

China to ramp up brain chip program after teaching monkey to control robot

Ethereum futures ETFs garner lukewarm reception on first day of trading

Day one trading volume across all nine products stood at less than $2 million.

The rush of excitement that accompanied the launch of nine new Ethereum futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs) appears to have yielded little in the way of investment dollars in comparison.

On Oct. 2, nine new ETF products, which are designed to track futures contracts tied to the value of Ethereum’s native currency Ether (ETH) arrived on the market. Of these funds only five hold exclusively Ether futures, while the other four track a mixture of Bitcoin and ETH futures contracts.

“Pretty meh day of volume,” wrote senior Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Oct. 2.

In total, all nine ETFs witnessed less than $2 million worth of trading volume as of midday EST on the first day of trading.

The most popular of the futures ETF products was Valkyrie's BTF — which tracks a combination of Bitcoin and Ether — racking up a total of $882,000 worth of volume.

It’s worth noting that BTF had already been trading as a Bitcoin-only futures ETF since Oct. 2021, but adjusted its strategy to include ETH.

The first-day trading volume of the Ether ETFs paled in comparison to that of ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO), which debuted in October 2021 during a roaring market for crypto assets. BITO witnessed more than $1 billion in trading volume on its first day.

Related: VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF set for CBOE listing

However, Balchunas noted that compared to a regular traditional finance ETF launch, the volume witnessed was actually “quite a lot,” though investors tend to prefer spot ETF products over futures.

Balchunas explained that all of the products were scheduled for launch on the same day as the SEC wanted to prevent any one fund from gaining market domination.

Meanwhile, while a range of United States firms jostled for pole position in the nascent Ether futures market, ETF firm Volatility Shares canceled its plans to list a similar product, saying that it “didn’t see an opportunity” at the current time.

Magazine: How to protect your crypto in a volatile market — Bitcoin OGs and experts weigh in

China to ramp up brain chip program after teaching monkey to control robot

Valkyrie will offer exposure to Ether futures as SEC delays spot Bitcoin ETF

Some analysts have speculated the SEC will announce decisions or delays on crypto exchange-traded funds before Sept. 30 in anticipation of a U.S. government shutdown.

Asset management firm Valkyrie will begin offering exposure to Ether (ETH) futures to United States investors through its existing Bitcoin Strategy exchange-traded fund, or ETF.

A Valkyrie spokesperson told Cointelegraph on Sept. 28 that the firm's Bitcoin (BTC) Strategy ETF will allow investors access to ETH and BTC futures "under one wrapper", making it one of the first firms to do so amid several pending applications with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Starting on Oct. 3, the fund's name will be updated to the Valkyrie Bitcoin and Ether Strategy ETF.

At the time of publication, the SEC had not published a proposed rule change allowing listing a new Ether futures ETF on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. However, the commission released an order regarding "additional analysis" over the listing of the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund — a spot BTC ETF.

Valkyrie filed an application with the SEC on Aug. 16 for a fund not offering a direct investment in Ether but through ETH futures contract. The firm also offers a Bitcoin Miners ETF, tracking securities of companies that derive their revenue or profits from crypto mining, and was also one of the first companies in the U.S. to launch an ETF tied to BTC futures in 2021.

Related: Breaking: Valkyrie files for Ether futures ETF with the SEC

Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart had speculated that Ether futures ETFs would begin trading in the first week of October partly in response to a potential U.S. government shutdown. Should members of Congress be unable to vote on a bill funding the government into the next fiscal year with enough time for U.S.President Joe Biden to sign it into law by Sept. 30, the SEC and many other federal agencies will be reduced to a skeleton crew.

To date, the SEC has not approved any spot crypto ETF for trading in the United States, but many experts have suggested that position could change following Grayscale Investments winning a review of its spot BTC ETF in court. Valkyrie, along with several other firms including BlackRock, have applications pending for spot crypto ETFs.

Magazine: Ethereum is ‘woefully undervalued’ but growing more powerful: DeFi Dad, Hall of Flame

China to ramp up brain chip program after teaching monkey to control robot

SEC pushes deadlines for ARK 21Shares, VanEck spot Ether ETF applications

The commission also designated a longer period to reach a decision on spot Bitcoin ETF applications from ARK 21Shares and GlobalX on Sept. 26.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has delayed reaching a decision on whether to approve or disapprove of spot Ether (ETH) exchange-traded fund applications from ARK 21Shares and VanEck.

In separate notices filed Sept. 27, the SEC said it would designate a longer period on whether to approve or disapprove of a proposed rule change that would allow listings of spot ETH ETFs from VanEck and ARK 21Shares on the Cboe BZX Exchange. The commission said it had received no public comments on either proposal and would push the deadlines for another delay or decision to Dec. 25 and Dec. 26, respectively.

“The Commission finds it appropriate to designate a longer period within which to take action on the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change and the issues raised therein,” said the SEC.

The delay came the same day the Nasdaq Stock Market filed a proposed rule change with the SEC for listing its mixed ETH ETF — a combination of spot Ether holdings and futures contracts. Proposed rule changes with the New York Stock Exchange Arca for the Grayscale Ethereum Futures Trust and Hashdex Bitcoin Futures ETF, and the Cboe BZX Exchange for the Franklin Bitcoin ETF were also filed on Sept. 27.

The SEC announced on Sept. 26 it would designate a longer period to reach a decision on spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETF applications from ARK 21Shares and GlobalX. The commission filed the notice weeks ahead of the next deadlines for both investment vehicles, pushing a final decision on ARK 21Shares’ ETF to January.

Related: US lawmakers call on SEC chair to approve spot Bitcoin ETFs ‘immediately’

In August, ARK Investment Management founder and CEO Cathie Wood speculated that should the SEC move forward with spot ETF approvals, it could allow multiple listings simultaneously to avoid giving any single company an advantage over another in the market. Her remarks came prior to Grayscale Investments winning a court battle with the SEC over its spot Bitcoin ETF application, which will likely be reviewed.

To date, the SEC has never approved a spot crypto ETF in the U.S. but has allowed the listing of crypto-linked futures ETFs as well as a leveraged Bitcoin futures ETF. The next deadlines for spot crypto ETF applications from firms including BlackRock, WisdomTree, Invesco Galaxy, Valkyrie, Bitwise and Fidelity are scheduled for October.

Magazine: Blockchain detectives: Mt. Gox collapse saw birth of Chainalysis

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When will it be too late to invest in Bitcoin?

This week’s episode of Market Talks discusses whether it will ever be “too late” to buy Bitcoin and why BTC could take over the financial world.

On the latest episode of Cointelegraph’s Market Talks, host Ray Salmond spoke with Luke Broyles, a popular Bitcoin (BTC) advocate and content creator on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter). During the show, Broyles laid out his Bitcoin investment thesis and his unique perspectives on how the asset’s price could eventually rise into seven-figure territory.

Broyles said that in 2020, he realized the bond market was broken. While searching for alternative investments, he discovered Bitcoin as a sound option. When asked about his Bitcoin investment strategy and how he stomachs the volatility, Broyles said: 

“I do not own bonds. I have sold off 97% of my stocks over the past three years, and I’m selling off the last 3% this week actually, so it’s funny that you ask that. By the end of this week, the only three assets that I will own will be U.S. dollars, aka cash, the best political currency in the world; second, real estate; and third, Bitcoin. That’s it. And I sleep better now than I did with a diversified portfolio.” 

Everything is overpriced and should crash

Another key factor backing Broyles’ Bitcoin investment thesis is his belief that “everything is overvalued, nothing makes sense, and everything should crash; however, we don’t want to deal with it. Politicians don’t want to deal with it. Lawyers don’t want to deal with it. I, as a real estate investor, don’t want to deal with it.” Broyles believes that stocks, healthcare, real estate and the education industry are highly overvalued, so people are losing faith in the dollar and their dollar purchasing power — which highlights the allure of Bitcoin as a supply-capped asset. 

“If we have a credit unwind, of course we’re going to print ourselves out of it.” 

Related: The future of BTC mining and the Bitcoin halving

When is it too late to invest in Bitcoin? 

When asked whether there is a particular price where it becomes “too late” for investors to consider buying Bitcoin, Broyles made the analogy of a sinking ship and suggested that for those on the boat, it’s never too late to exit. 

“At no point is it ever too late to buy Bitcoin, but it will be too late to exit bonds and to exit fiat.” 

Listen to the full episode of Market Talks on the new Cointelegraph Markets & Research YouTube channel, and don’t forget to click “Like” and “Subscribe” to keep up-to-date with all our latest content.

China to ramp up brain chip program after teaching monkey to control robot

Uniswap lawsuit judge calls Ether a commodity in dismissal order

United States District Court Judge Katherine Polk Failla is also the judge overseeing the SEC's lawsuit against crypto exchange Coinbase.

A United States District Court judge has called Ether (ETH) a commodity in her dismissal of a class action lawsuit against the decentralized exchange Uniswap.

In an Aug. 30 dismissal order of the case brought by Uniswap users who claimed they lost money due to scam tokens on the exchange — Judge Katherine Polk Failla wrote ETH and Bitcoin (BTC) were “crypto commodities.”

The distinction was also part of her reasoning for dismissing the case — Failla said she wasn’t convinced by an argument that Uniswap’s token sales were subject to the Exchange Act.

Interestingly, Failla is also the judge overseeing the SEC lawsuit against Coinbase. She has also had previous experience in overseeing other crypto cases in the past, including one involving Tether and Bitfinex. 

While her comment is not a distinct ruling on Ether’s legal classification in the U.S., it comes as other judges have made decisions on cryptocurrencies such as a July ruling classing XRP (XRP) as a security when sold through programmatic sales on exchanges.

In recent years, two U.S. financial regulators, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have tussled over jurisdiction concerning cryptocurrencies.

SEC chair Gary Gensler had once claimed “everything other than Bitcoin” is a security under his agency’s remit.

Meanwhile, the CFTC has laid claim to ETH and other cryptocurrencies as commodities — per a suit it filed against Binance in March for alleged Commodities Exchange Act violations.

Related: SEC’s first deadlines to approve 7 Bitcoin ETFs coming over the next week

However, U.S. lawmakers are yet to decide how the SEC or CFTC will be handed authority over crypto.

Multiple bills to provide digital asset regulatory clarity are inching their way through Congress which vary in how to divvy authority between the two regulators.

Some, such as the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, aim to create a process for categorizing cryptocurrencies into either securities or commodities.

Others explicitly hand power to a regulator such as the Digital Commodity Exchange Act which sees crypto spot exchanges registered and regulated under the CFTC.

The Digital Asset Market Structure Bill, meanwhile, would see cryptocurrencies undergo SEC certification to prove adequate decentralization before being given commodity status.

Magazine: DeFi Dad, Hall of Flame: Ethereum is ‘woefully undervalued’ but growing more

China to ramp up brain chip program after teaching monkey to control robot

CME Group to launch BTC, ETH reference rates aimed at Asia’s investors

CME reported nearly half of its crypto volume year to date came from non-U.S. trading hours and around 11% from the Asia Pacific region.

Derivatives marketplace CME Group is launching Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) reference rates for the Asia Pacific region, in another sign of growing institutional interest in crypto from Asia.

On Aug. 16, derivatives marketplace CME Group said it’s partnered with crypto indices provider CF Benchmarks and on Sept. 11 to launch the two Asia Pacific-focused crypto reference rates.

Reference rates are used as a credible source of a cryptocurrency’s price and are used — in CME’s case — to price settlements of crypto futures contracts.

CME Group said from Sept. 11, Asia-based crypto institutions and investors will get two reference rates that will track BTC and ETH, which will be published once a day at 4 pm Hong Kong time.

CME Group has existing reference rates for the two cryptocurrencies, but they are published at times more suitable to investors in New York and London' timezones. 

CME’s crypto products head Giovanni Vicioso said so far this year it's seen 37% of its crypto volume traded during non-U.S. hours with 11% coming from APAC.

“These APAC reference rates will allow market participants to more accurately and precisely hedge cryptocurrency price risk with timing more closely aligned to their portfolios," Vicioso said.

Matrixport Head of Research Markus Thielen told Cointelegraph the reference rates show that CME is seeing increased demand from institutions requiring accurate BTC and ETH prices during the Asia trading day.

Institutions will use the daily price for investor products — which he believes could now see greater demand from the end investors of those institutions.

Related: From the U.S. to Japan, regulators are beginning to embrace crypto

CME and CF also has reference rates and real-time indexes for the metaverse-related tokens Axie Infinity Shards (AXS), Chiliz (CHZ) and Decentraland (MANA).

The firm’s other reference rates aggregate crypto spot exchange trade flows including from Bitstamp, Coinbase, Gemini and Kraken and aim to provide a credible reference price.

Such rates are used in the settlement of futures contracts including CME’s Bitcoin and Ether futures products, which settle on its London time reference rate.

Institutions have been eyeing crypto-friendly jurisdictions such as Hong Kong and Singapore — two regions that have made significant moves to give regulatory clarity to crypto businesses.

Asia Express: China’s risky Bitcoin court decision, is Huobi in trouble or not?

China to ramp up brain chip program after teaching monkey to control robot

Bitcoin trades above $30K, boosting traders’ interest in ETH, ARB, VET and STX

Bitcoin and Ether’s recovery has improved traders' sentiment, which could trigger buying in ARB, VET, and STX.

Bitcoin (BTC) made a new 52-week high on June 23, indicating that bulls are on fire. Buyers have managed to hold onto a large part of the gains made during the week, signaling that they are in no hurry to book profits. Bitcoin climbed 16% this week, outperforming the S&P 500 Index, which fell 1.39%.

Not only Bitcoin but even Ether (ETH) is showing signs of starting a bullish move. Glassnode data shows that Ether balances on exchanges dropped sharply in the past 30 days and hit a new low of 12.6%.

A similar dip in Ether exchange balances happened in November 2022, which was followed by a sharp rally of 33%. Although a rally is possible, traders need to be cautious because the fall in exchange balances this time may have been triggered by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s actions against Binance and Coinbase.

Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360

The crypto recovery is not limited to Bitcoin and Ether. Several altcoins have risen sharply from their respective lows, indicating solid buying at lower levels. This implies that the bearish sentiment may be waning.

Could the return of the buyers start a new bull move in cryptocurrencies, or will higher levels attract selling by the bears? Let’s study the charts of the top-five cryptocurrencies that may rise in the short term.

Bitcoin price analysis

Bitcoin has been trading near the $31,000 level for the past four days. This suggests that the bears are protecting this level, but the bulls have not given up. Usually, a tight consolidation near a major resistance level tends to resolve to the upside.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The upsloping 20-day exponential moving average ($28,085) and the RSI in the overbought area indicate advantage to the bulls. If buyers kick and sustain the price above $31,000, the BTC/USDT pair could start the next leg of the up-move. There is a resistance at $32,400, but that is likely to be crossed. The pair may then skyrocket toward $40,000.

The first sign of weakness will be a break and close below $29,500. If that happens, the pair may slide to the 20-day EMA. This remains the key level to keep an eye on because if it gives way, the pair may drop to the 50-day simple moving average ($27,199).

BTC/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The pair is stuck between the 20-day EMA and $31,000, but this tight-range trading is unlikely to continue for long. A range break above the $31,000-to-$31,500 zone could start the next leg of the uptrend.

Conversely, if the price dips and sustains below the 20-day EMA, it may trigger the stops of the short-term traders. The pair could then descend to $29,500, where the bulls are expected to mount a strong defense. A break below this level could open the doors for a potential fall to the 50-day SMA.

Ether price analysis

Ether has been facing selling at the $1,928 level for the past three days, but the bulls are not willing to cede ground to the bears. This indicates that buyers expect the resistance to be broken.

ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The moving averages are on the verge of a bullish crossover and the RSI is in positive territory, indicating that the bulls are in command. If buyers overcome the barrier at $1,928, the ETH/USDT pair may surge to the overhead zone between $2,148 and $2,200.

If bears want to prevent the rally, they will have to quickly drag the price below the moving averages. That may hit the stops of the aggressive bulls, resulting in a correction to the strong support at $1,700.

ETH/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The four-hour chart shows that the price is stuck inside the range between $1,936 and $1,861. The rising moving averages and the RSI in the positive zone suggest that the path of least resistance is to the upside. If buyers propel the price above the range, the pair could start its march to the psychological level of $2,000.

Instead, if the price turns down and breaks below the $1,861 support, it will tilt the short-term advantage in favor of the bears. The pair may then tumble to the 50-SMA and later to $1,750.

Arbitrum price analysis

Arbitrum (ARB) rose above the breakdown level of $1 on June 19 and followed that up with a sharp rally on June 20. This indicates rejection of the recent breakdown.

ARB/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The bears are trying to stall the recovery at the 50-day SMA ($1.12), but a positive sign is that the bulls have successfully defended the 20-day EMA ($1.07). This narrow-range trading is unlikely to continue for long, and a breakout may be expected soon.

A break and close above $1.18 could suggest the start of a new up-move. The ARB/USDT pair could first rise to $1.28 and, subsequently, to $1.54. This bullish view will be negated if the price turns down and plunges below the $1-to-$0.90 support zone.

ARB/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The four-hour chart shows that the bulls are struggling to overcome the obstacle at $1.18. This indicates that bears are active at higher levels. Sellers pulled the price below the 20-day EMA, but they could not crack the 50-day SMA. 

The 20-day EMA is flattening out and the RSI is near the midpoint, indicating a balance between buyers and sellers. If bulls drive the price above $1.18, it will indicate the start of a strong recovery. Contrarily, a break and close below the 50-day SMA may result in a slump to $1.

Related: Bitcoin sees new all-time highs in 3 countries as BTC price pokes $31K

VeChain price analysis

VeChain (VET) turned down from the resistance line on June 23, but the bears are struggling to sustain the price below the 50-day SMA ($0.018). This suggests that traders are buying the dips.

VET/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The bulls will once again try to propel the price above the resistance line. If they succeed, it will indicate that the downtrend has ended. The VET/USDT pair could then start its upward move toward $0.026.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price once again turns down from the resistance line, it will suggest that the bears remain in control. They will then try to sink the pair below the moving averages and challenge the support at $0.013.

VET/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The four-hour chart shows that the price reversed direction from the resistance line but is finding support at the 20-day EMA. This suggests that the sentiment is turning positive and traders are viewing the dips as a buying opportunity.

The bulls will again attempt to propel the price above the resistance line. If they manage to do that, the pair could climb to $0.021. This level may again act as a hurdle but if crossed, the up-move may begin. The first support on the downside is the 20-day EMA, and next is the 50-day SMA.

Stacks price analysis

Stacks (STX) soared above the moving averages on June 20, signaling a potential trend change. The corrective phase started on June 22, but a positive sign is that the price remains above the moving averages.

STX/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The moving averages have completed a bullish crossover and the RSI is in positive territory, indicating that bulls have the upper hand. If the price turns up from the current level or rebounds off the 20-day EMA ($0.65), it will suggest buying on dips. That will enhance the prospects of a break above $0.89.

If that happens, the STX/USDT pair could rally to $1.10 and, thereafter, to $1.30. This positive view will be invalidated if the price turns lower and plummets below the moving averages. Such a move will suggest that the bears have not yet given up and will continue to sell on rallies.

STX/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The four-hour chart shows that the pair is in a corrective phase. The bears pulled the price below the 20-day EMA, but the bulls are defending the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of $0.71. Buyers will have to drive the price above the downtrend line to open the doors for a possible rally to $0.88.

Alternatively, if the price turns down from the downtrend line, it will suggest that bears are trying to gain the upper hand. A break and close below the 61.8% retracement level of $0.67 could indicate that the bears are back in the game.

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.

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

China to ramp up brain chip program after teaching monkey to control robot

A sideways Bitcoin price could lead to breakouts in ETH, XRP, LDO and RNDR

If BTC price consolidates in the $25,000 range, ETH, XRP, LDO and RNDR could be the first altcoins to break out with recovery rallies.

Altcoin prices crumbled after the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase at the start of the week. Apart from the action against the two biggest crypto exchanges, investors seem to be nervous because the SEC labeled 23 cryptocurrencies as securities in the two lawsuits. That brings the total number of cryptocurrencies termed as securities by the SEC to 67.

Among the mayhem, a minor positive is that Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) have held out relatively well. This suggests that institutional investors are not panicking and dumping their positions. Due to their outperformance, Bitcoin’s dominance has risen to a year-to-date high of 47.6% and Ether’s to 20%.

Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360

The uncertainty in the near term is likely to keep several investors on the sidelines. During this period, the cryptocurrencies that have held out generally tend to do well when the market sentiment improves.

Let’s look at the top-5 cryptocurrencies that are trying to sustain above their respective support levels and are attempting to start a rebound. What are the important support and resistance levels to keep an eye on?

Bitcoin price analysis

Bitcoin once again dipped to the crucial support at $25,250 on June 10, indicating that the bears are keeping up the pressure. The repeated retest of a support level within short intervals tends to weaken it.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The downsloping moving averages and the relative strength index (RSI) in the negative territory indicate that bears are in control. If the support zone between $25,250 and $23,896 crumbles, the BTC/USDT pair may witness panic selling. The pair could then plummet to the psychologically vital level of $20,000. Buyers are expected to protect this level with all their might.

If bulls want to prevent a sharp decline, they will have to quickly push the price above the 20-day exponential moving average ($26,721). Such a move will suggest strong demand at lower levels. The pair may first rise to the 50-day simple moving average ($27,464) and thereafter to the resistance line of the channel. Buyers will have to kick the price above this level to indicate the resumption of the up-move.

BTC/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The 4-hour chart shows that the recovery off the $25,250 support is facing selling at the 20-EMA. This indicates that the bears are not giving any opportunity to the bulls to make a comeback. The bears will have to sink the price below $25,250 to further solidify their position.

On the contrary, if the price turns up and breaks above the 20-EMA, the pair could rally to the 50-SMA. If this level gets taken out, the pair is likely to move toward $27,400.

Ether price analysis

Ether has been in a corrective phase for the past several days. The bears pulled the price below the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of $1,755 on June 10 but the bulls prevented a collapse as they defended the strong support at $1,700.

ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The bulls will try to start a relief rally that could reach the 20-day EMA ($1,835). This is an important level to watch out for because a break and close above it will suggest that the ETH/USDT pair may stay range-bound between $1,700 and $2,000 for some time.

Contrarily, sellers will try to stall the recovery and tug the price below the $1,700 support. If they can pull it off, the pair may start the next leg of the correction. There is a minor support at $1,600 but if it fails to hold, the pair may collapse to $1,352.

ETH/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The 4-hour chart shows that the bulls had previously protected the $1,700 level with vigor and they may again try to do that. Buyers will have to cross the obstacles at the moving averages to start a sustained recovery that could take the price to $1,920.

On the contrary, if the price turns down from the current level or the moving averages, the bears will again try to sink the pair below $1,700. If they succeed, the selling may accelerate and the pair could retest $1,352.

XRP price analysis

XRP (XRP) turned down from the overhead resistance near $0.56 on June 10 and nosedived below the 20-day EMA ($0.50).

XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

However, a positive sign is that the buyers promptly purchased the dip to the 50-day SMA ($0.47) as seen from the long tail on the day’s candlestick. The 20-day EMA is an important level for the bulls because if they sustain the price above it, the XRP/USDT pair may again reach near $0.56.

Instead, if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that higher levels are attracting sellers. The pair may then drop to the 50-day SMA. A break and close below this level may start a deeper fall to $0.41.

XRP/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The 4-hour chart shows that the recovery is facing selling near the 20-EMA. This suggests that the short-term sentiment remains negative and bears are selling on rallies. If the price turns down from the current level, the bears will try to yank the pair below $0.47. If they manage to do that, the pair may slide to $0.44.

On the other hand, if buyers thrust the price above the moving averages, it will clear the path for a possible rally to $0.55.

Related: The US will find the ‘right outcome’ for crypto, eventually — Coinbase CEO

Lido DAO price analysis

Lido DAO (LDO) has been falling inside a descending channel pattern for the past few days, indicating that the bears are in control.

LDO/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The LDO/USDT pair plunged sharply on June 10 but the long tail on the day’s candlestick shows that the bulls are aggressively buying the dips to the support at $1.57. Buyers will try to start a recovery that may reach the moving averages.

However, the sellers are likely to have other plans. They would not want to give any leeway to the buyers and will try to sink the price to $1.57. If this level cracks, the pair may start its descent to the support line of the channel near $1.

LDO/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The deeply oversold levels on the RSI suggest that a relief rally may be around the corner. Buyers tried to start a recovery but the bears did not allow the price to rise above $1.90. Hence, this becomes an important hurdle for the buyers to cross to start a recovery.

The pair could then rise to the 20-EMA where the bulls are likely to encounter strong selling by the bears. Buyers need to overcome this obstacle to start a stronger rally. This positive view will invalidate in the near term if the price plunges below $1.65.

Render Token price analysis

Render Token (RNDR) corrected sharply on June 10 and plunged below the uptrend line but a minor positive is that the bulls are trying to push the price back above the breakdown level.

RNDR/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

If the price sustains above the uptrend line, it will suggest that the recent breakdown may have been a bear trap. The RNDR/USDT pair could then climb toward the 20-day EMA ($2.31) where it is likely to face its real test.

Alternatively, if the price fails to sustain above the uptrend line, it will suggest that the bears have flipped the uptrend line into resistance. The pair could then extend its decline and fall to the next support near $1.60.

RNDR/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The 4-hour chart shows that the bulls are trying to push the price back above the breakdown level but the bears have held their ground. The zone between the uptrend line and the 20-EMA remains the key level to keep an eye on. If the price breaks above this zone, the pair may recover to $2.40.

Contrarily, if the price continues lower from the current level and breaks below $1.80, it will signal the resumption of the downtrend. The pair may then drop to $1.60 where the buyers are likely to mount a strong defense.

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.

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

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Another dormant Ethereum wallet reawakens after 8 years, moving millions

Its owner acquired the tokens during Ethereum’s ICO in 2015, when each ETH was worth only 31 cents each.

An Ether (ETH) wallet that has been inactive since Ethereum’s ICO (Initial Coin Offering) in 2015, has suddenly awoken after eight years of dormancy, moving a total of 8,000 ETH in just two minutes.

The wallet received the 8,000 ETH after participating in Ethereum’s ICO (Initial Coin Offering) in 2015 and remained inactive until May 27. On that day, its owner began with a cautionary transfer of 1 ETH to a new wallet. One minute later they transferred the remaining 7,999 ETH to the new wallet address.

At the time of writing, the ETH stash is worth approximately $14.7 million.

This transaction was first noticed by blockchain analytics service Lookonchain, which informed its 219,000 Twitter followers of the transfer.

In the comments section of the post, there was some community speculation around the reason for the transfer. One commenter suggested that the owner had just been released from prison, while another made a humorous remark that they were transferring funds from an old Ledger — a pointed comment about the company’s controversial new Recover upgrade.

At the time, the 8,000 ETH was purchased at a price of just $0.31 per token, which places the initial investment amount at around $2,500.

At today’s prices of $1,917, this marks a staggering 590,000% gain for the owner.

This isn’t the only ICO-era Ether wallet to re-awaken in recent months. On April 24, another wallet which received 2,365 ETH ($4.5 million) made its first transaction in nearly 8 years, after the owner transferred just 2,360 ETH to a new wallet address.

On March 5, another ETH wallet transferred 10,226 ETH ($19.6 million) out to new wallet address after remaining dormant for five years.

The new wallet address is also one with little in the way of any significant transaction history. The only other ETH transaction recorded in the new wallet is a 207 ETH ($380,000) incoming transaction that was made just a few minutes prior to the most recent transfer. Notably, the additional 207 ETH were sent from another wallet that remained completely inactive since June 12, 2017.

Related: Arbitrum-based Jimbos Protocol hacked, losing $7.5M in Ether

Interestingly, the new wallet also contains $46 worth of a memecoin called Gensler (GENSLR), and just $0.24 worth of a dragon-inspired token called Dejitaru Tsuka (TSUKA), according to data from Web3 wallet tracker DeBank.

Total allocation of token holdings in the owner’s new wallet. Source: DeBank.

The Ethereum ICO occurred in two primary stages. The first stage was the pre-sale, and between July 22 and Sept. 2, 2014 the sale of Ethereum tokens to new investors raised $18 million. The going exchange rate for the pre-sale was 1 BTC — for 2,000 ETH. The second stage was the official launch of the Ethereum blockchain which occurred on July 30, 2015. This meant that some investors waited more than a year to be able to redeem and use their ETH.

Dormant wallets with vast sums of crypto can awaken for a variety of reasons. Sometimes dormant wallets reawaken because they’ve been hacked. Other times, it's simply because the owner may have forgotten about it and upon its re-discovery, have decided that it's possibly a good time to sell.

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