BTCUSD breaks above $19 000; has a new bull market begun?

In our last post on Bitcoin, we reiterated our bearish stance (beyond the short-term). However, we also allowed for the possibility of BTCUSD moving higher after breaking above $17 250 (the upper bound of a narrow range). Since then, the volume has seen gradual growth accompanying a price increase of more than 10%. Furthermore, the daily time frame has managed to turn bullish. At the same time, the stock market has been enjoying gains, providing support for the cryptocurrencies, which stay highly correlated to it.

As we stated in our last idea, we expect this combination of bullish factors to have no impact on the primary bearish trend. As a result, we will pay close attention to market developments and technical factors (especially volume). We expect earning season in the stock market to reveal more underlying economic problems, eventually leading to lower prices and also affecting cryptocurrencies. Conclusively, we expect the bear market to unravel further in the coming months, taking Bitcoin to new lows. Accordingly, we maintain our price targets at $15 000 and $13 000.

*As the answer to the question "has a new bull market begun?" - No, that is very unlikely.*

Illustration 1.01

Illustration 1.01 displays the daily chart of BTCUSD and the narrow range formation with the breakout above its upper bound. Green arrows indicate growing volume accompanying an increasing price, which is bullish. However, after the breakout, the price rose approximately 10% (only within three days). We will observe volume (area of interest) and look for a decline, indicating the rally's exhaustion; contrarily, no decline in volume will suggest a continuation of the rally (for the short term.)

Technical analysis
Daily time frame = Bullish
Weekly time frame = Neutral

Illustration 1.02

Illustration 1.02 shows the daily chart of BTCUSD and two simple moving averages. The yellow arrow indicates the bullish breakout above the alternative resistance level. Interestingly, SMAs are in a bullish constellation. Although, the recent lack of trend can cause them to produce misleading signals due to whipsaws. Currently, the price is too far from its SMAs, which might foreshadow a retracement. Therefore, we raise a word of caution over the recent move up.

Illustration 1.03

Illustration 1.03 portrays the daily chart of BTCUSD and several previous downtrend corrections. As a matter of fact, these corrections often ranged between 20% and 40%, which means the current rally might turn out to be nothing out of the ordinary (only another fake rally). In our opinion, the current price is very attractive for the short position.

Please feel free to express your ideas and thoughts in the comment section.

DISCLAIMER: This analysis is not intended to encourage any buying or selling of any particular securities. Furthermore, it should not be a basis for taking any trade action by an individual investor. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.

Trade active:

Overnight, Bitcoin broke briefly above $20 000. However, the volume has declined significantly, hinting at the market dominated by emotion and fear of missing out. Therefore, we voice a word of caution over the sustainability of this rally.

Trade active:

Bitcoin paused its rally slightly below the resistance at $21 473. If the price breaks above the resistance, it will bolster the bullish case for BTCUSD in the short term. However, we will pay close attention to volume for any signs of potential weakness.