Bitcoin Price Plunge Imminent as Bears Protect Key Resistance

Bitcoin price is still struggling to clear the $44,500 and $44,700 resistance levels. BTC is showing a few bearish signs and might drop toward $42,150.

• Bitcoin is facing a major hurdle near the $44,500 resistance zone.
• The price is trading below $44,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
• There was a break below a key bullish trend line with support at $44,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
• The pair could decline toward the $42,350 and $42,150 support levels.

Bitcoin price attempted a fresh increase above the $43,500 resistance zone. BTC even broke the $43,800 resistance zone but the bears were active near the $44,500 resistance zone.

There were a few attempts to gain strength above $44,500, but the bears remained active. A high was formed near $44,483 and the price is now showing a few bearish signs. There was a drop below the $44,000 support zone. The price traded below the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $42,480 swing low to the $44,483 high.

Besides, there was a break below a key bullish trend line with support at $44,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. Bitcoin is now below $44,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.

Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com

On the upside, immediate resistance is near the $44,000 level. The first major resistance is $44,200. The main resistance is now forming near the $44,500 level. A close above the $44,500 level could send the price further higher. The next major resistance sits at $45,450. Any more gains above the $45,450 level could open the doors for a move toward the $46,200 level.

If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $44,000 resistance zone, it could continue to move down. Immediate support on the downside is near the $43,200 level or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $42,480 swing low to the $44,483 high.

The next major support is near $42,800. If there is a move below $42,800, the price could gain bearish momentum. In the stated case, the price could drop toward the $42,150 support in the near term.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $42,800, followed by $42,150.

Major Resistance Levels – $44,000, $44,200, and $44,500.