TA: Bitcoin Resumes Downtrend, Why Upsides Remain Capped

Bitcoin failed to gain pace above $40,700 and declined against the US Dollar. BTC traded to a new weekly low and might struggle to climb above $39,200.

• Bitcoin started a fresh decline after it failed to clear the key $40,700 resistance zone.
• The price is now back below $39,000 and the 100 hourly simple moving average.
• There was a break below a connecting bullish trend line with support near $39,500 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
• The pair could correct higher, but upsides might be capped near $38,800 or $39,200.

Bitcoin price attempted a clear move above the $40,500 level. However, BTC failed to clear the $40,700 and $40,750 resistance levels.

A high was formed near $40,776 and the price reacted to the downside. There was a sharp decline below the $40,000 level and the 100 hourly simple moving average. Besides, there was a break below a connecting bullish trend line with support near $39,500 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.

Bitcoin is now back below $39,000 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. It traded as low as $37,672 and is currently consolidating losses.

It is testing the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $40,776 swing high to $37,672 low. An immediate resistance on the upside is near the $38,800 level. The next key resistance could be near the $39,200 zone.

The 50% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $40,776 swing high to $37,672 low is also near the $39,250 zone. The main resistance is now forming near the $39,550 level and the 100 hourly simple moving average.

If there is a clear move above the $39,200 and $39,550 levels, the price could start a decent increase. In the stated case, the price could even surpass the $40,000 resistance. The next major resistance may perhaps be near the $40,700 zone.

If bitcoin fails to clear the $39,200 resistance zone, it could continue to move down. An immediate support on the downside is near the $37,650 level.

The next major support is seen near the $37,500 level. A close below the $37,500 support zone might start another decline. In the stated case, the price might drop to $36,200.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is slowly losing pace in the bearish zone.

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

Major Support Levels – $37,650, followed by $37,500.

Major Resistance Levels – $39,200, $39,550 and $40,000.