Bitcoin back in the game, crypto market bull run still in play

• Bitcoin in consolidation, but the improving technicals point towards a massive breakout above $20,000.
• Ethereum holding firmly to ascending triangle’s hypotenuse ahead of a breakout to $700.
• Ripple sideways trading continues as buyers barricade $0.6 while the 50 SMA limits the upside.

The cryptocurrency market seems ready for another bull run after a mundane weekend session. The market is dotted mostly in green, with the significant digital assets leading the price action. Bitcoin reclaimed the position above $19,000 but still is struggling to sustain gains toward $20,000.

As discussed earlier, Monero (XMR) is among the biggest single-digit gainers after breaking out of an ascending triangle. On the other hand, Stellar (XML) looks ready to dump to $0.08 following a sell signal on the weekly chart.

Bitcoin eyes a massive breakout beyond $20,000

Bitcoin is getting ready for a significant upswing to price levels above $20,000, but first, the ongoing consolidation has to run its course. The flagship cryptocurrency is trading slightly above $19,300 while the seller congestion at $19,500 limits its upside.

The Relative Strength Index has reinforced the sideways price action by levelling marginally above the midline. Bitcoin bulls can push the price above $19,500, which will help validate the anticipated upswing past $20,000.

A constriction of the Bollinger Bands hints at a possible breakout in the coming sessions or days. Therefore, to be on the safe side, buyers must not allow BTC to dive under the Bollinger Bands’ middle boundary. If an extra bear push comes to shove, the 50 Simple Moving Average must be guarded at all costs, as buyers can build another uptrend from this level.

BTC/USD 4-hour chart

On the flip side, massive losses will come into the picture if the price dives under the 50 SMA. This could also confirm a breakdown after the Bollinger Bands’ squeeze. Tentative support areas include the 100 SMA at $18,600, the 200 SMA at $17,330 and late November’s support at $16,500.

Ethereum holds firmly ahead of a potentially massive breakout

The smart contract has firmly held onto the ascending triangle support despite the multiple rejections from levels above $600. At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading at $595, as bulls look forward to a massive breakout towards $700.

The 50 SMA protects the immediate downside, preventing bears from gaining momentum and causing damage to the progress made since the crash on November 26. A break above the triangle’s x-axis will call for gains to $700, perhaps catapulting Ethereum into trajectory eyeing $1,000.

ETH/USD 4-hour chart

Ethereum’s uptrend will be sabotaged if bulls lose the ground above the 50 SMA. Besides, trading under the ascending trendline would be a bearish signal, calling the sellers to increase their entries.

The short-term price analysis is bearish, as seen with RSI’s dip to the midline. The next support at $575, as highlighted by the 100 SMA, may be tested before completing the bearish leg to the 200 SMA.

Ripple price action remains numb ahead of a breakout

XRP is trading at $0.61 after holding above $0.60 during the weekend session. The mundane price action has brought indecisiveness in the market – the 50 SMA limits Ripple’s upside. The cross-border token must close the day above this crucial level.

On the other hand, the Relative Strength Index and the Bollinger Bands endorse the consolidation. However, the more the bands squeeze, the faster a breakout will come into the picture. Several resistance zones might slow down the upswing, including $0.65, $0.7 and $0.75.

XRP/USD 4-hour chart

On the other hand, a breakdown will be confirmed if XRP closes the day beneath the 50 SMA. Selling volume is likely to increase from this level, pushing Ripple further down.

If declines overshoot the anchor at the 100 SMA, XRP/USD might be forced into a length downtrend. Other support levels to keep in mind include $0.45, the 200 SMA and $0.3.