Bitcoin’s bullish consolidation amid market pullback

Kitco Media
By Aaron Dishner
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Bitcoin’s bullish consolidation amid market pullback teaser image

Bitcoin Consolidation and Key Levels

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Bitcoin retraced 2.5% yesterday, dipping into the daily Ichimoku Cloud and softening both RSI and On-Balance Volume. This sideways movement aligns with bullish consolidation, as price oscillates within established support and resistance. The next upward leg is expected once the pullback completes, with daily RSI likely forming a lower high—a healthy corrective signal. Key upside remains at the weekly TBO Fast line near $98,000.

Ethereum and Leading Altcoins’ Pullbacks

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Ethereum fell 3.9%, reinforcing its consolidation phase. This pattern of incremental advances followed by corrective declines is typical in sustained uptrends. Short-term resistance is earmarked at $3,435. Major altcoins have mirrored this behavior: SOL and BCH registered downward shifts in their TBO resistance levels, XRP encountered a 6% pullback even as its dominance rose, and emergent tokens such as GLM are printing exhaustion breakouts. Meanwhile, SYRUP’s gentle uptrend offers defined dip-buy opportunities.

Shifts in Crypto Dominance Metrics

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Combined stablecoin dominance saw an RSI reset during the pullback, indicating a bearish consolidation phase rather than a bearish breakout. Bitcoin dominance briefly ticked higher but is now down again, suggesting further rotation. Notable beneficiaries include XRP.D, which continues to climb, and OTHERS.D. Additionally, TOTALE50.D has triggered a TBO Open Long on today’s candle, with RSI breaching overhead resistance—a bullish signal for the broader altcoin sector.

Altcoin Market Cap Trends

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The OTHERS market cap index is testing its daily TBO Cloud ceiling. Traders should monitor volume rising above its moving average and OBV curling upward to confirm a breakout. The OTHERS/BTC pair activated a TBO Open Long earlier this week, with resistance pivoting from 0.15 down to 0.12. Sustained strength here would confirm altcoins outperforming Bitcoin.

Traditional Financial Markets and Macro Risks

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The US Dollar Index has trended higher since December 24, now trading inside its daily Cloud in consolidation mode. Continued USD strength could pressure equities and crypto. The S&P 500 and Dow made fresh all-time highs but face cautionary TBT Bearish Divergence clusters. Volatility (VIX) is rising modestly, while global indices such as the Nikkei, Shanghai Composite, and Hang Seng show mixed signals—ranging from minor sell-offs to breakout attempts on weak momentum.

Precious Metals Under Pressure

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Gold is forming a second TBT Bearish Divergence despite an anticipated springboard bounce, suggesting renewed consolidation ahead. Silver’s pullback comes amid strong TBO and OBV readings but clear RSI exhaustion. Both platinum and copper printed TBT Bearish Divergences on recent declines. While precious metals may resume rallies later in 2026, current divergence patterns warrant caution.

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Kitco Media

Aaron Dishner

Co-founder and lead instructor at The Better Traders, Inc., an international crypto education company, and owner of the popular crypto bot trading YouTube channel Moonin Papa, Aaron Dishner serves over 25,000 students across 36 countries as a world-leading bot trader and crypto day trading and swing trading expert. Combining his passion for educational excellence, stemming from a professional teaching background, with his remarkable skill set in crypto trading, Aaron’s mission is to make trading safe and accessible so anyone can learn to benefit from the greatest financial revolution of our time.
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