• Bitcoin price is showing a bear flag fractal form on a lower timeframe, forecasting a 30% crash.
  • A breakdown of the $30,000 psychological level from a weekly time frame would further help the bears’ case.
  • The macro bearish outlook could face invalidation if BTC produces a higher high above $52,000.

Bitcoin price is forming a fractal, suggesting that the downtrend is around the corner. This new development further strengthens the macro bearish thesis for BTC.

Bitcoin price prepares for brutal sell-off

Bitcoin price confirmed a bear flag setup as it breached the pattern’s lower trend line on May 6. This move triggered a 36% crash in a week. Zooming out shows that BTC’s nosedive from an all-time high at $69,000 to $32,837 between November 10, 2021, and January 24, 2022, created the pattern’s flagpole. 

After this flash crash, Bitcoin price consolidated in the form of higher lows and higher highs between January 14 and May 22, creating an ascending parallel-like structure known as a flag.

This technical formation projects a target of $18,179, which was confirmed the moment Bitcoin price dropped below $38,305. So far, Bitcoin price has paused its selling to consolidate around the $30,000 psychological level. A daily candlestick close below this foothold will likely trigger a further decline to the target of roughly $20,000.

While this pattern has been ongoing for quite some time, the recent consolidation seems to have created another bear flag, which forecasts a 30% drop to, more or less, the same target of $20,000.

This fractal formation further affirms that an eventual drop in Bitcoin price seems likely. Moreover, the development opposes the possibility of a relief rally to $35,000 or higher. Hence,  investors need to be careful as BTC consolidates with no directional bias in play.

BTC/USDT 1-day chart

BTC/USDT 1-day chart

While things are looking gloomy for Bitcoin price, a spike in buying pressure that pushes BTC to $35,000 will invalidate the smaller bear flag. From a macro perspective, if the big crypto bulls propel the asset to produce a higher high above $52,000, it will invalidate the massive bearish thesis.

In such a case, Bitcoin price could climb higher and perhaps retest its all-time high at $69,000.

 


Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

IRS says crypto staking should be taxed in response to lawsuit

IRS says crypto staking should be taxed in response to lawsuit

The IRS stated that rewards from cryptocurrency staking are taxable upon receipt, according to a Bloomberg report on Monday, which stated the agency rejected a legal argument that sought to delay taxation until such rewards are sold or exchanged.

More Cryptocurrencies News
Solana dominates Bitcoin, Ethereum in price performance and trading volume: Glassnode

Solana dominates Bitcoin, Ethereum in price performance and trading volume: Glassnode

Solana is up 6% on Monday following a Glassnode report indicating that SOL has seen more capital increase than Bitcoin and Ethereum. Despite the large gains suggesting a relatively heated market, SOL could still stretch its growth before establishing a top for the cycle.

More Solana News
Ethereum Price Forecast: ETH risks a decline to $3,000 as investors realize increased profits and losses

Ethereum Price Forecast: ETH risks a decline to $3,000 as investors realize increased profits and losses

Ethereum is up 4% on Monday despite increased selling pressure across long-term and short-term holders in the past two days. If whales fail to maintain their recent buy-the-dip attitude, ETH risks a decline below $3,000.

More Ethereum News
Crypto Today: BTC hits new Trump-era low as Chainlink, HBAR and AAVE lead market recovery

Crypto Today: BTC hits new Trump-era low as Chainlink, HBAR and AAVE lead market recovery

The global cryptocurrency market cap shrank by $500 billion after the Federal Reserve's hawkish statements on December 17. Amid the market crash, Bitcoin price declined 7.2% last week, recording its first weekly timeframe loss since Donald Trump’s re-election. 

More Cryptocurrencies News
Bitcoin: 2025 outlook brightens on expectations of US pro-crypto policy

Bitcoin: 2025 outlook brightens on expectations of US pro-crypto policy

Bitcoin price has surged more than 140% in 2024, reaching the $100K milestone in early December. The rally was driven by the launch of Bitcoin Spot ETFs in January and the reduced supply following the fourth halving event in April.

Read full analysis
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.

Read More

BTC

ETH

XRP