Bitcoin price rally fizzles. Here's what the experts are watching for next

Cryptos remain vulnerable to interest rate shocks.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points
  • Bitcoin price rally takes a breather
  • Profit-taking cops some of the blame
  • Keep your eye on the US Fed

The Bitcoin (CRYTPO: BTC) price currently stands at US$43,845 (AU$59,224).

That's almost right where it was this time yesterday, but down 3% from levels of US$45,268 on Tuesday, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Now a 3% fall in the Bitcoin price in 2 days is almost negligible in the highly volatile world of cryptocurrencies.

Indeed, the world's first crypto remains up 19% over the past 7 days. Though it's still down 36% from its 10 November record highs.

But after hitting its best winning streak in 4 months, crypto investors are wondering whether the next trend following the current breather will be up or down.

Man sitting at a desk facing his computer screen and holding a coin representing discussion by the RBA Governor about cryptocurrency and digital tokens

Image source: Getty Images

Where to for the Bitcoin price?

Commenting on the recent pullback in the Bitcoin price, Matt Maley, chief market strategist at Miller Tabak + Co said (quoted by Bloomberg), "[The] pullback is due to some profit-taking after a big move. Bitcoin had rallied about 38% on an intraday basis in less than two weeks, so I think it's just a matter of traders taking some short-term profits."

Noting that the crypto remains above its trend-line from the 10 November high, Maley added it had "plenty of room to take a breather over the near-term without disrupting its recent advance".

Meanwhile, analysts at crypto exchange Kraken are keeping a close eye on the pace of the US Federal Reserve's monetary tightening and the severity of the global pandemic:

With a hawkish shift from the Fed, continued omicron fears, lower stock valuations, and inflation fears at a multi-decade high, crypto remains vulnerable to de-risking should equity markets correct in the coming month(s).

A technical analysis approach

Katie Stockton, founder of Fairlead Strategies, is taking a technical analysis approach in gauging the Bitcoin price.

As Bloomberg reports, Stockton "is tracking something called the monthly MACD momentum gauge for Bitcoin".

What's that?

Well, it stands for moving average convergence divergence. Equity analysts use it as a trend-following momentum indicator.

Stockton says the MACD momentum gauge was flashing "buy" since July 2020 before crossing into "sell" at the end of January, when the Bitcoin price fell below US$40,000.

According to Stockton, "It tells us that this year could see more volatility, and it means we need to be more short-term oriented when committing to long positions."

The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and recommends Bitcoin.  The Motley Fool Australia owns and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Cryptocurrencies

A man sits at a desk with a phone in one hand, his other hand on his chin and studies a computer screen in front of him with what appears to be cryptocurrency data on both screens.
Cryptocurrencies

ASX shares or crypto? Here are the benefits and risks of each

Which asset should ASX investors choose?

Read more »

A Bitcoin symbol atop a spring, indicating the uncertain direction of cryptocurrency as a commodity
Cryptocurrencies

What could spark a Bitcoin price rebound in 2026?

Three powerful catalysts could determine whether Bitcoin’s brutal 2026 downturn finally begins to reverse.

Read more »

Red arrow crashing in the ground with a Bitcoin token next to it.
Cryptocurrencies

Down 48%, why a Bitcoin price rebound may be off the cards

Will Bitcoin and Ethereum ever recover their 48% and 61% price losses?

Read more »

Gold Bitcoins lying on a global finance currency chart with arrows shooting higher.
Cryptocurrencies

Could US lawmakers drive a rebound in the beaten-down Bitcoin price?

Bitcoin and Ethereum are both down almost 50% in a year. Could this be the catalyst crypto investors have been…

Read more »

Red arrow crashing in the ground with a Bitcoin token next to it.
Cryptocurrencies

What on earth's happening with the Bitcoin price?

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and gold have come crashing down from their record highs. But why?

Read more »

Red arrow crashing in the ground with a Bitcoin token next to it.
Cryptocurrencies

Why is the Bitcoin price down while shares hit highs?

The world's biggest digital asset is sliding just as record-breaking IPOs and the AI boom hoover up every spare dollar.

Read more »

A man sits wide-eyed at a desk with a laptop open and holds one hand to his forehead with an extremely worried look on his face as he reads news of the Bitcoin price falling today on his mobile phone
Cryptocurrencies

Why did the Bitcoin price just plunge more than 7%?

The Bitcoin price has crashed 37% over the last year. But why is it falling again today?

Read more »

A person's hand is seen operating a Bitcoin ATM
Cryptocurrencies

US$10,000 invested in Bitcoin at the start of the year is now worth…

Bitcoin, Ethereum, gold, or ASX 200 shares? Guess which asset has outperformed in 2026.

Read more »