Market Commentary (BTC):
The waiting game persists as the bitcoin markets continue to compress during this slow summer trading season. Despite the possibility that we could remain locked in the 550 - 600 $ range for a few more weeks, this newer 570 - 580 $ range will likely break sometime this week or this weekend. While the technicals are still not all that helpful in terms of directionality, from a market makers perspective the struggle to make profit in these tight conditions is very real. In light of this near term uncertainty we want to stay neutral and patient at current levels, although we are still in a "buy the dips, sell the rips" mentality until further notice.
Today we zoom in on the 4-hour chart below given it has been awhile since we have taken a serious look at shorter term technicals. The first thing to notice is that we have another working symmetrical triangle on this timeframe in addition to the longer term charts, which continues to squeeze price into the current 570 - 580 $ range (and is also where volume profile PoC is and hence where near term fair value is).
Also note that there is a new minor pivot area from 555 - 570 $ which should provide some support on dips, and SCMR is once again painting neutral/mixed candles following a few days of bullish price action earlier this week. Finally, the OTE short zone continues to sit right overhead between 585 - 620 $ while the major OTE long zone still lies between 500 - 520 $, not to mention that volume profile leaves much to be desired, all of which is telling us that even a break of the current trading range might not catalyze a very large move this time around.
Momentum and volume are also telling a confusing story considering Willy is heading higher but is hitting centerline resistance, RSI is heading down to test the 40 level, and MACD continues to stagnate around zero. Additionally, the 9/18 EMA cross has flatlined at current prices and the 200-period SMA remains bearish, although conversely the A/D line is still healthy and trading volumes are slightly more bullish now than they were earlier in the week. For the time being price will stay within the 570 - 580 $ range until we get a move above or below there. Our thinking for the time being is that we could move down to test the lower triangle trendline around 560 $ before finding support once again and then attempting to move above 580 $.
All said, we remain buyers down in the 540 - 550 $ area for a shorter term scalp trade, as well as down in the 500 $ region for a longer term play. Having said that, until there is some conviction on one side or the other, the bitcoin markets will remain stagnant in a large, extended consolidation between 450 - 700 $. We still think an upside resolution materializes in the latter part of this year, however at this point we are relegated to sitting on the sidelines waiting for the market to come to us.
GLGT!
https://www.bullbearanalytics.com/free-reports/bitcoin-price-report-for-august-17-2016