Decentral Block Post

Traders might rejoice now that Bitcoin price ventured above $17,400, but twenty-seven long days have passed since Bitcoin (BTC) last breached the $17,250 resistance. 

On December 13, after a two-week-long lateral movement, Bitcoin posted a 6.5% rally toward $18,000 and even though the current movement still lacks strength, traders believe that a retest of the $18,250 resistance remains possible.

To start the week, the S&P 500 index rose to its highest level in twenty-six days on Jan. 9. Weak economic data had previously fueled investors' expectation of slower interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve (FED) and the Jan. 12 Consumer Index Report (CPI) could lend some credence to this expectation.

On Jan. 6, German retail sales data showed a 5.9% year-on-year contraction took place in November. In the U.S., economic activity in the services sector contracted in December after 30 consecutive months of growth. The Services PMI reading was 49.6%, and readings below 50% typically point toward a weakening economy.

Investors anxiously wait for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) release on Jan. 12, which is more likely to dictate bets on whether the FED will raise interest rates by 0.25% or 0.50% in early February. Economists expect inflation to increase by 6.6% over the prior year in December, so a weaker-than-consensus CPI could further boost markets' performance.

Investors across asset classes have been keeping a close watch on the United States Federal Reserve’s monetary policy because that sets the stage for a risk-on or a risk-off environment. 

The strong rally in the U.S. stock markets on Jan. 6 and in cryptocurrencies over the weekend suggests that market observers anticipate the Fed to slow down its frantic pace of rate hikes. The optimism was fuelled by the greater-than-expected slowdown in wage gains in the December jobs report and the first contraction in U.S. services industry activity since May 2020. The next trigger that may influence the markets could be the Consumer Price Index data due on Jan. 12.

While the cryptocurrency markets may benefit from a risk-on environment, the extent of the up-move may be limited because of the issues plaguing Digital Currency Group. Therefore, along with the macroeconomic data, crypto traders must keep an eye on the news specific to the crypto space.

Could the strength in the S&P 500 (SPX) and the weakness in the U.S. dollar index (DXY) boost crypto prices higher? Let’s study the charts to find out.

SPX

After consolidating in a range for several days, the S&P 500 index broke above the 20-day exponential moving average (3,875) on Jan. 6. This suggests that the uncertainty has resolved in favor of the buyers.

Bitcoin (BTC) has finally pushed above the $17,000 mark after rallying to $17,375 on Jan. 12.  with both the bulls and the bears eyeing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) due on Jan. 12. If the print shows that inflation is cooling off, risk assets may rally, but a negative surprise could attract strong selling.

While some believe that a macro bottom could be forming in Bitcoin, others remain skeptical. They draw a parallel between the current bear market and the dot-com bubble burst. The United States Federal Reserve stopped raising rates in May 2000 but the Nasdaq did not bottom out for two more years. If the same scenario plays out with cryptocurrencies, then the next bull run may not start in a hurry.

However, one positive for the future of the crypto industry is that legacy finance companies continue to show interest in the space. Laser Digital co-founder and CEO Jez Mohideen believes that the arrival of traditional companies could help regulate the cryptocurrency sector.

Do the charts signal a rally in Bitcoin? What are the other altcoins that are showing a positive chart structure? Let’s find out.

BTC/USDT

Bitcoin has been trading above the moving averages since Jan. 4. This is the first indication that the selling pressure could be reducing. The price reached the overhead resistance at $17,061 on Jan. 6 but the bulls could not ascend this level. This indicates that the bears have not given up yet.

Bitcoin (BTC) has finally pushed above the $17,000 mark after rallying to $17,375 on Jan. 12.  with both the bulls and the bears eyeing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) due on Jan. 12. If the print shows that inflation is cooling off, risk assets may rally, but a negative surprise could attract strong selling.

While some believe that a macro bottom could be forming in Bitcoin, others remain skeptical. They draw a parallel between the current bear market and the dot-com bubble burst. The United States Federal Reserve stopped raising rates in May 2000 but the Nasdaq did not bottom out for two more years. If the same scenario plays out with cryptocurrencies, then the next bull run may not start in a hurry.

However, one positive for the future of the crypto industry is that legacy finance companies continue to show interest in the space. Laser Digital co-founder and CEO Jez Mohideen believes that the arrival of traditional companies could help regulate the cryptocurrency sector.

Do the charts signal a rally in Bitcoin? What are the other altcoins that are showing a positive chart structure? Let’s find out.

BTC/USDT

Bitcoin has been trading above the moving averages since Jan. 4. This is the first indication that the selling pressure could be reducing. The price reached the overhead resistance at $17,061 on Jan. 6 but the bulls could not ascend this level. This indicates that the bears have not given up yet.

Ethereum's native token, Ether (ETH), rose to three-week highs, rallying in lockstep with the broader  cryptocurrency market, as well as stocks. 

ETH price rises to three-week highs

On Jan. 9, ETH's price rose 2.85% to cross above $1,325 for the first time in three weeks, a key level that could pave the token's path toward $1,350 next if its previous price performance is any indication.

The crypto market's capitalization gained 2.66%, or $21.18 billion, in the same period. 

Cooling inflation boosts Ethereum price

Investors are rushing into riskier markets on signs of cooling inflation.

Notably, on Jan. 6, the U.S. Labor Department's nonfarm payrolls report showed a slowdown in wage increases, which market watchers interpreted as a sign that the Federal Reserve's hawkish policy has brought down inflation successfully.