Conflux

Bitcoin price sets up for an explosive move as ADA, XLM, AAVE and CFX turn bullish

BTC’s tight trading range hints at an eventual breakout, and ADA, XLM, AAVE and CFX could follow.

The long weekend has not produced any fireworks in Bitcoin (BTC) price, which continues to trade inside an ever-narrowing range. Bitcoin is on track to form a third consecutive Doji candlestick pattern on the weekly chart. This suggests that the Bitcoin bulls and the bears are not clear about the next directional move.

It is not only Bitcoin that is stuck inside a range. On April 7, Jurrien Timmer, director of global macro at asset manager Fidelity Investments, tweeted that the S&P 500 Index had been stuck inside a range for the past nine months and a breakout was due “sooner or later.”

Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360

Bitcoin’s failure to break above the $30,000 level has attracted profit-booking in several altcoins but a few have witnessed shallow pullbacks. This indicates that traders are holding on to their positions expecting a move higher.

Let’s study the charts of select altcoins that may turn up and start an uptrend if Bitcoin breaks out to the upside. What are the resistance levels above which these five cryptocurrencies turn bullish?

Bitcoin price analysis

Bitcoin has been trading inside a tight range for the past two days, indicating indecision among the bulls and the bears. Usually, tight ranges are followed by an expansion in volatility.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The 20-day exponential moving average ($27,500) is flattening out and the relative strength index (RSI) has gradually been slipping toward the center. This suggests a balance between supply and demand.

If the price tumbles below the 20-day EMA, several short-term stop losses may be triggered and the BTC/USDT pair may dive to the breakout level of $25,250.

Conversely, if the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA with strength, it will suggest that the sentiment remains positive and traders are buying the dips. A rally above $29,200 could enhance the prospects of a rally to $30,000 and subsequently to $32,500.

BTC/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The 20-EMA is flattening out on the four-hour chart and the RSI is just below the midpoint. This does not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears. This uncertainty is unlikely to continue for long, and a directional move could soon start. However, it is difficult to predict the direction of the breakout.

Therefore, it is better to wait for the breakout to happen before establishing directional bets. The important level to watch on the upside is $29,200 and on the downside is $26,500. A breach of either level could start a short-term trending move.

Cardano price analysis

The bulls are not allowing Cardano (ADA) to dip below the 20-day EMA ($0.37), indicating demand at lower levels.

ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The upsloping 20-day EMA and the RSI in the positive area suggest that the path of least resistance is to the upside. The ADA/USDT pair could first rise to the neckline of the inverse head-and-shoulders pattern. A break and close above this resistance will signal a potential trend change. The pair could then rally toward the pattern target of $0.60.

If bears want to prevent the up-move, they will have to quickly yank the price back below the 20-day EMA. The pair may then drop to the 200-day simple moving average ($0.35) and later to $0.30.

ADA/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The four-hour chart shows that the bulls have pushed the price above the 20-EMA and will next try to overcome the barrier at the downtrend line. If they do that, it will suggest that the pullback may be over. The pair may then climb to the neckline where the bears are expected to mount a strong defense.

Contrarily, if the price faces rejection at the downtrend line, it will suggest that bears are active at higher levels. The selling could accelerate below $0.37 and the pair may plunge to the 200-SMA.

Stellar price analysis

Stellar (XLM) turned down from the overhead resistance of $0.12 and the price is nearing the 20-day EMA ($0.10). The bulls are likely to buy the dips to the 20-day EMA.

XLM/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA, the bulls will again try to clear the overhead hurdle. If they succeed, the XLM/USDT pair will complete a bullish rounding bottom pattern. That could signal the start of a new up-move. The pair may first rally to $0.15 and thereafter march toward the pattern target of $0.17.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that bulls are losing their grip. The pair may then drop to the 200-day SMA ($0.09). This is a make-or-break level for the bulls because if it cracks, the pair may plummet to $0.07.

XLM/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The four-hour chart shows that the pair is correcting inside a falling wedge pattern. The price has bounced off the support line and the bulls will next attempt to propel the pair above the wedge. If they manage to do that, the pair could rally to $0.11 and subsequently to $0.12.

On the other hand, if the price turns down and plummets below the support line, it will suggest that the selling has intensified. There is a small support at $0.10 but if that cracks, the decline could extend to the 200-SMA.

Related: SushiSwap approval bug leads to $3.3 million exploit

Aave price analysis

Aave (AAVE) has turned down from the overhead resistance of $82, indicating that the bears are fiercely protecting this level. They have pulled the price below the immediate support at the 20-day EMA ($75).

AAVE/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The AAVE/USDT pair could next slip to the 200-day SMA ($73), which is close to the uptrend line. Buyers are likely to defend this level with vigor. If the price rebounds off the uptrend line and breaks above the 20-day EMA, the pair could reach $82.

If bulls overcome this barrier, the pair will complete an ascending triangle pattern. This setup has a target objective of $100. This bullish view will invalidate if the price continues lower and breaks below the uptrend line. The pair may then slide to $68 and later to $64.

AAVE/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The bears have pulled the price to the 200-SMA on the four-hour chart. The 20-EMA has started to turn down and the RSI is in the negative territory, indicating that bears have the upper hand.

If the 200-SMA gives way, the pair could decline further to the uptrend line. This is an important level for the bulls to defend because a break below it will further strengthen the bears.

On the upside, a break above the 20-EMA will be the first sign that the bulls are making a comeback. The pair may then rise to the overhead resistance at $82.

CFX price analysis

Conflux (CFX) has been in a corrective phase for the past few days but a minor positive is that the bulls are trying to defend the 20-day EMA ($0.36).

CFX/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

If the price rebounds off the current level, the CFX/USDT pair could reach the downtrend line. This is an important level for the bears to guard because a break above it could open the doors for a possible rally to $0.44 and then $0.49.

Conversely, if the price plunges and sustains below the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that the bulls may be rushing to the exit. That could attract further selling, pulling the price toward the next support at $0.30. The bulls are expected to buy the dips to this level.

CFX/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView

The four-hour chart shows that the bears are trying to keep the price below the 20-EMA. That could pull the pair to the 200-SMA, which is likely to act as a major support.

If the price rebounds off this level, the bulls will again try to drive the price to the downtrend line. This is the key level to keep an eye on because a break above it will signal that bulls are back in the game.

On the downside, a break and close below the $0.30 support could attract further selling, sinking the price to $0.25.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed here are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

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.

Crypto market cap reclaims $1T, and derivatives point to further upside

Bitcoin’s performance has outpaced Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway over the past six months, with crypto markets appearing to have turned a corner.

The total crypto market capitalization increased by 26% in seven days, reaching $1.16 trillion on March 17. Bitcoin (BTC) was the biggest winner among the top 20 coins, up 31.5%, though some altcoins gained 50% or more during the period.

Total crypto market cap in USD, 12-hour. Source: TradingView

The surge in cryptocurrency prices occurred as the United States Federal Reserve was forced to lend banks $300 billion in emergency funds. According to PBS NewsHour, nearly half of the money went to failed financial institutions Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and was used to pay uninsured depositors. The remaining $153 billion was obtained through a long-standing program known as the “discount window,” which allows banks to borrow funds for up to 90 days.

While appearing to protect the banking sector, additional funding for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and credit facilitation using Fed resources ultimately creates a “false sense of confidence,” according to activist billionaire investor Bill Ackman.

The $30 billion plan devised by U.S. regulators to avoid a major liquidity crisis in First Republic Bank “raised more questions than it answers,” said Ackman, who manages the hedge fund Pershing Square. Furthermore, Ackman stated that “half measures don’t work when there is a crisis of confidence.”

Billionaire Warren Buffett is on the losing side of the bet

As the banking crisis worsened, Warren Buffett, the co-founder and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway — a $650 billion financial conglomerate — saw his holdings rapidly deteriorate. Berkshire Hathaway, for example, is the largest holder of Bank of America stock, which has fallen 15.5% year-to-date. This position alone has cost Buffett’s investment vehicle $5.2 billion.

Buffett, a well-known cryptocurrency critic, has stated that he has no interest in Bitcoin, even if the entire float is offered at $1,300. The 91-year-old, with a net worth of around $102 billion, claimed that Bitcoin doesn’t produce anything whereas farmland and residential real estate do.

However, Bitcoin’s price increased by 31.5% in the six months preceding March 17, while Berkshire’s stock increased by 5.8%. So, for the time being, the so-called “rat poison” — as Buffett once described Bitcoin — is outpacing his own financial management firm.

$1 trillion market capitalization support quickly restored

Let’s look at the performance of the top 80 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization to see if the surge above the $1 trillion mark has boosted the confidence of altcoin investors.

Weekly winners and losers among the top 80 coins. Source: Messari

Conflux’s CFX gained 97.6% after KuCoin Ventures announced a $10 million investment in stablecoin issuer and blockchain-based payment service provider CNHC, which is available on the Ethereum and Conflux networks.

Stacks’ STX (STX) rallied 75.7%, as the network is scheduled to undergo an upgrade on March 20 introducing Stacks 2.1, with new features and improvements.

Immutable X’s IMX rose 71.7% following a much-anticipated announcement of an upcoming partnership reveal scheduled for March 20.

Options traders are extremely confident about market conditions

Traders can gauge the market’s sentiment by measuring whether more activity is going through call (buy) options or put (sell) options. Generally speaking, call options are used for bullish strategies, whereas put options are for bearish ones.

A put-to-call ratio of 0.70 indicates that put option open interest lags behind the greater number of call options. In contrast, a 1.40 indicator favors put options, which is a bearish sign.

Related: Crypto Biz — SVB collapses, USDC depegs, Bitcoin still up

BTC options volume put-to-call ratio. Source: Laevitas

Since March 12, the demand for neutral-to-bullish call options has increased, indicating the growing risk appetite of derivatives traders. The movement peaked on March 17, when the volume of call options exceeded the volume of protective put options by a 3:1 ratio.

The gap favoring call options has stabilized at 2:1, indicating that professional investors are unconcerned following the March 17 rejection of the $1.16 trillion market capitalization level. In the end, data indicates a strong conviction for Bitcoin’s support at $26,000, so bulls are in a stronger position to continue their rally.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed here are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Conflux partners with China Telecom to develop blockchain SIM card

According to Conflux, the BSIM will have a secure place to store digital private keys and will support the transfer and exchange of NFTs.

According to a Feb. 15 announcement, Conflux Network, also known as Shanghai Tree-Graph Blockchain Research Institute, said that it had secured a partnership with China Telecom to develop a blockchain SIM (BSIM) card. As told by Conflux, the BSIM will have a secure place to store digital private keys and will be able to call upon the said signature to transfer money to other users. In addition, a “one-click direct check” functionality will allow users to check for transaction information and status progress in real-time. 

“The R&D phase for the BSIM card is complete – and it’s connected to Conflux’s main network in testing! This prototype has storage & sending functions for digital assets.”

Conflux also claims that the new BSIM card is able to store nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, with support for transfers and an exchange functionality. The firm also explains that with technology from China Telecom, the BSIM can have upward of “10-20 Times Storage Space” compared to regular SIM cards, allowing for optimized access to decentralized applications and digital communities.

Currently, China Telecom is the countrys second-largest telecommunications provider, with over 390 million users. The first pilot program for the BSIM is scheduled to launch in Hong Kong later this year.

Conflux is a layer-1 blockchain operating on a hybrid proof-of-work and proof-of-stake consensus. It is dubbed the “only regulatory-compliant public blockchain in China,” with the firm claiming its technology has been used in collaboration with brands such as McDonald’s China and Oreo. Its parent, the Shanghai Tree-Graph Blockchain Research Institute, is supported by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.