Back at $3,500: Has Bitcoin's Price Found a Short-Term Bottom?

Bitcoin prices are back above $3,500, but will they stay? Technical analysis suggests rangebound trading may be on the way.

AccessTimeIconSep 15, 2017 at 3:05 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 6:56 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

The sell-off in the bitcoin-US dollar exchange rate (BTC/USD) appears to have stalled, with prices trading at $3,550 at press time.

Over the course of a volatile day, the cryptocurrency fell to a low of $2,980 oversold technical conditions came into play, as we discussed early today.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • As per CoinMarketCap, the digital currency has lost 2% over the last 24 hours.

    Bitcoin may have found a short-term bottom

    The previous article had talked about a potential bullish price RSI divergence on the 4-hour chart. Well, the 4-hour chart is yet to confirm the bullish divergence, however, it has been confirmed on the 1-hour chart.

    1-hour chart

    bitcoin-1-hour-chart

    The chart above shows the bullish price RSI divergence (lower lows on the price chart and higher lows on the RSI).

    The bullish pattern on the 1-hour chart indicates that bitcoin sell-off has run out of steam for now. Prices could test $3,550-3,600, which is the resistance offered by the downward sloping trend line.

    Avoid being over ambitious

    The bullish setup on the 1-hour chart is valid for a couple of hours. Bitcoin is unlikely to see significant gains above $3,550-3,600 as the Stochastics is close to being overbought.

    Watch out for a bullish divergence on the 4-hour chart

    bitcoin-4-hour-chart

    The argument that bitcoin has found a short-term bottom at $2,980 would gain more credence if the bullish-price RSI divergence is confirmed on the 4-hour chart.  

    Bitcoin is likely to consolidate largely in the range of $3,100 to $3,600. Markets seem to have priced-in the bearish news out of China. Unless there is more damaging news out of China, the range is not likely to be breached to the downside.  

    Ferris wheel image via Shutterstock

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.