On January 28, Bitcoin experienced a technical rebound after recently dropping to $85,970, but the rally was only about 4%, and it faced resistance again near $89,380, failing to generate sustained upward momentum. Despite some ETF-related developments in the market, price performance remains relatively weak, indicating that macroeconomic conditions are significantly constraining short-term trends.
From a chart structure perspective, Bitcoin previously formed a hidden bullish divergence on the daily timeframe, with RSI weakening while price remained high, temporarily pushing the price higher. However, this signal’s effect was short-lived, as buying momentum was quickly offset by selling pressure. Meanwhile, positive news regarding ETFs did not produce the usual amplification effect, reflecting cautious risk appetite among investors.
On the macro level, Federal Reserve policy expectations remain the dominant factor. The market generally anticipates that the upcoming FOMC meeting will keep interest rates unchanged, with limited room for liquidity improvement, which suppresses the continued rise of risk assets. In this context, even if technical indicators show some recovery, it is unlikely to push prices out of the consolidation range.
Notably, on-chain data shows that large holders have been increasing their holdings recently. Several addresses holding over 1,000 BTC collectively absorbed about 18,000 BTC, worth approximately $1.6 billion, indicating that medium- to long-term funds have not exited despite short-term volatility. However, distribution of cost basis reveals dense clusters of supply in the $90,160 to $90,590 range, forming a clear resistance zone above.
Looking below, there is significant support around $84,400, providing a buffer for the price. This support has allowed Bitcoin to repeatedly find footing during pullbacks, but if this level is broken, market sentiment could shift back toward a defensive stance.
In the short term, Bitcoin remains in a consolidation phase. Only a clear move above $90,830 can alleviate selling pressure and open the way for higher gains; otherwise, the price may continue to fluctuate within the range, digesting macro uncertainties.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Will U.S. Treasury debt breaking through $39 trillion prompt investors to bet on bitcoin and other safe-haven assets?
On March 18, U.S. national debt surpassed $39 trillion, drawing market attention. Rising debt is driven by persistent deficits and increased interest burdens, with investors showing growing interest in decentralized assets such as Bitcoin. Policymakers face trade-offs between debt servicing and funding new initiatives, with rising debt potentially impacting infrastructure investment and long-term economic growth. Markets should monitor how debt developments influence investment strategies.
GateNews8m ago
A certain CEX's trading volume reached $1.443 billion in the past 24 hours, with XRP, BTC, and ETH ranking in the top three.
According to Gate News, on March 18th, a certain CEX's trading volume was $1.443 billion, down 42.67%. The top five tokens were XRP, BTC, ETH, POLYX, and BTT, with trading volume shares of 12.90%, 7.95%, 6.91%, 6.10%, and 4.90% respectively.
GateNews23m ago
Federal Reserve March 2026 Interest Rate Decision Set to Be Revealed Soon, Powell's Stance Will Influence Bitcoin and Market Trends
The Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates at 3.5%-3.75% on March 18. Market attention will be on Powell's comments regarding inflation and future policy. Rising core PCE and oil price pressures limit the room for rate cuts, with only a 30% chance of easing this year. Political factors influencing Powell's tenure have led to noticeable market reactions, and risk assets as well as cryptocurrency prices are expected to be affected.
GateNews24m ago
Whale Frenzy: $2 Billion Bitcoin Purchase as Market Watches Powell Speech for Potential BTC Breakthrough Above $75,000
Bitcoin price has fallen back to $74,000, with the market paying close attention to Fed Chair Powell's speech. Ongoing whale buying and ETF inflows demonstrate long-term demand, but short-term selling pressure should be watched carefully. Market sentiment is improving, and volatility could increase.
GateNews27m ago
Institutional Capital Inflows, Bitcoin ETF Records Five-Month Longest Consecutive Net Inflows
On March 18th, US Bitcoin ETFs experienced continued capital inflows, recording the longest streak in five months, with net inflows reaching $199.4 million, signaling a return of institutional investor confidence in Bitcoin. Spot Ethereum ETFs also saw consecutive net inflows. US regulatory authorities released guidance documents to enhance market transparency, promote cryptocurrency ETF development, and drive overall market activity.
GateNews30m ago
On-chain analyst: Bitcoin market overheating phenomenon eliminated, but seller pressure remains unrelieved
On March 18, on-chain data analyst Axel released a report indicating that the Bitcoin market has moved out of an overheated state, but selling pressure still exists and no reversal signals have appeared. The MVRV Z-Score indicator has dropped to 0.674, suggesting that the bubble has been deflated; meanwhile, the aSOPR indicator remains below 1.0, indicating that the market is still in a loss-selling phase, with a rebound facing the risk of selling pressure.
GateNews30m ago