Aksel Kibar, a chartered market technician, shared his analysis on December 26, highlighting a “head and shoulders” pattern that could mark a significant pullback in Bitcoin’s price.

“Breakout from the broadening chart pattern that completed on $BTCUSD… the pullback can take place with a possible short-term H&S top,” Kibar wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “If the pattern acts as a H&S top, the price target is at 80K. This can be the pullback to the broadening pattern that completed with a breakout above 73.7K.”

Kibar’s insights point to the possibility of Bitcoin testing lower price ranges before finding stability, particularly as the pattern evolves on the daily chart.

Whales and Market Trends Signal Optimism

Despite warnings of a potential correction, market data offers a glimmer of hope for Bitcoin bulls. Research from analytics firm Santiment indicates a renewed interest from large investors, or “whales,” moving stablecoins to exchanges.

Source:X

“After the post-Christmas market-wide dip, crypto markets are seeing an encouraging trend of whales moving stablecoins to exchanges,” Santiment stated in a December 27 analysis. While the firm noted that such movements are not a guarantee of immediate purchases, they signal optimism as the year draws to a close.

Santiment also observed stablecoin deposits dominating exchange activity, interpreting this as a bullish sign that could strengthen Bitcoin’s recovery.

Resistance at Key Levels

Bitcoin has struggled to maintain momentum above the $100,000 mark, facing snap rejections at critical resistance points like the 21-day simple moving average, currently hovering around $99,425. This technical resistance has kept the cryptocurrency oscillating between potential highs and bearish targets.

Source:X

Market participants remain cautious about short-term volatility. Erroneous data on TradingView, which briefly displayed Bitcoin’s market dominance at 0%, added confusion during the post-Christmas sell-off.

Broader Market Context and ETF Developments

The crypto market as a whole has shown signs of resilience. Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in the U.S. recorded a net inflow after several days of outflows exceeding $1.5 billion. This recovery, although modest, underscores investor interest despite prevailing market uncertainty.

Bitcoin (BTC) price chart. Source: Bitcoin Liquid Index (BLX) via Brave New Coin

As Bitcoin approaches 2024, its price trajectory remains uncertain, with analysts and traders closely monitoring the potential impact of both technical patterns and macroeconomic trends. Whether the cryptocurrency revisits $80,000 or stages a strong rebound, will likely depend on a combination of on-chain activity, whale behavior, and broader market sentiment.

Looking Ahead

While predictions of a price dip to $80,000 have caused concern, the movement of stablecoins and ETF inflows hint at a potential recovery in the coming months. Investors are advised to approach with caution, balancing short-term risks with long-term optimism as Bitcoin navigates a volatile yet promising market landscape.