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BTC, ETH, XRP Price Analysis: Fed Rate Scare is Threatening Crypto Momentum

By:
Yashu Gola
Published: Dec 19, 2024, 15:59 GMT+00:00

Key Points:

  • Bitcoin risks correction but holding above $101,700 could set the stage for a rally toward $150,000.
  • Ethereum eyes $3,500 support as failed breakout hints at further downside.
  • XRP consolidates near $3.00, with overbought conditions raising the risk of a pullback to $1.33 or lower.
ETH BTC XRP

Bitcoin (BTC) failed to sustain its upside momentum above $108,000 and briefly dropped below the $100,000 mark on Dec. 19. Its decline led other top cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum (ETH) and XRP (XRP), lower.

Top coins and their daily and weekly performances
Top coins and their daily and weekly performances: Source: Messari

At the core of this crypto market decline is a slightly hawkish Federal Reserve for the year 2025.

Bitcoin (BTC) Technical Analysis

BTC/USD Four-Hour Price Chart Analysis — Bounce Toward $109,500 Next?

On Dec. 19, Bitcoin briefly fell below $100,000 before rebounding sharply to as high as around $102,750. Nonetheless, the price is still trading below its record high of circa $108,365.

BTC/USD four-hour price chart
BTC/USD four-hour price chart. Source: TradingView

Bitcoin’s likelihood of reclaiming $108,365 and rising above it is possible next, primarily because it has been trending inside an ascending parallel channel.

On Dec. 19, the cryptocurrency tested the channel’s lower trendline as support, and is now eyeing the 50-4H exponential moving average (50-4H EMA; the red wave) at around $102,590.

In doing so, BTC’s price upside target for December appears to be around the channel’s upper trendline at around $109,650.

BTC/USD Weekly Price Chart Analysis — Holding Above $100,000 Could Mean a Rally Toward $150,000

Bitcoin’s rally above $100,000 faces resistance as overbought signals emerge, with the weekly RSI at 74 suggesting a potential correction.

However, Bitcoin is holding above the 1.0 Fibonacci retracement level near $101,700, a critical support zone. Staying above this level could fuel a push toward $150,000, the 2.618 Fib target.

BTC/USD weekly price chart
BTC/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingView

Key support lies at the 20-week EMA near $80,471, which has historically acted as a rebound point in bull markets. Volume trends show declining momentum, raising the risk of a pullback if Bitcoin fails to consolidate above the 1.0 Fib line.

Ethereum (ETH) Technical Analysis

ETH/USD Four-Hour Price Chart Analysis — Decline Toward $3,500 Possible

Ethereum is testing a critical support level near its 200-period exponential moving average (EMA) on the 4-hour chart, currently around $3,615.

A decisive close below this support could trigger further downside momentum, potentially pushing the price toward the highlighted red area, which represents the $3,500–$3,600 range. This zone previously acted as resistance and may now serve as a key support level.

ETH/USD four-hour price chart
ETH/USD four-hour price chart. Source: TradingView

A break below $3,500 could open the door to a deeper correction, as bearish momentum would likely accelerate. However, if Ethereum manages to hold above the 200-4H EMA, it could prompt a rebound.

In such a scenario, the price may first target the 50-period EMA on the 4-hour chart near $3,846. A sustained move above this level could pave the way for a retest of the $4,000 psychological resistance.

The relative strength index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart sits near oversold territory at 32, suggesting that a potential relief rally could be in play if selling pressure eases.

ETH/USD Weekly Price Chart Analysis — Hints of Failed Breakout?

Ethereum is showing signs of a failed breakout above the symmetrical triangle pattern, as the price slips back into the consolidation range. This reversal raises the risk of further downside, potentially targeting the triangle’s lower trendline near $3,000, which also aligns with the 50-week exponential moving average (EMA).

ETH/USD weekly price chart
ETH/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingView

The weekly RSI has declined to 58, indicating a loss of strength without reaching overbought territory. Meanwhile, trading volumes remain muted, further supporting the possibility of continued consolidation or downside movement.

If ETH finds support near $3,000, the level could act as a pivot for a rebound. Conversely, a decisive break below this level would invalidate the symmetrical triangle setup and may trigger a deeper correction, potentially targeting the $2,500 range.

XRP (XRP) Technical Analysis

XRP/USD Four-Hour Price Chart Analysis — 15% Gains Ahead

XRP is showing signs of a potential rebound as it eyes a move toward the upper trendline of its symmetrical triangle pattern.

The 4-hour chart indicates that XRP is currently holding support above the triangle’s lower trendline near $2.27, a level reinforced by the 200-period exponential moving average (EMA) at $1.99. A successful bounce from this confluence of support could propel the price toward the $2.67 target.

XRP/USD four-hour price chart
XRP/USD four-hour price chart. Source: TradingView

The RSI remains neutral at 39, suggesting room for further upside before reaching overbought conditions. However, XRP faces immediate resistance near the 50-period EMA at $2.42, which could act as a mid-point hurdle before the price challenges the upper trendline.

A breakout above the $2.67 resistance could open the door for XRP to test higher Fib levels.

XRP/USD Weekly Price Chart Analysis — Overbought Correction Risks Persist

XRP’s recent explosive rally has pushed it into overbought territory, with the weekly RSI hovering around 80.

After reaching the 1.618 Fibonacci retracement level near $3.00, XRP has entered a consolidation phase, trading between $1.96 (1.0 Fib line) and $3.00. This range now acts as a critical battleground for bulls and bears.

XRP/USD weekly price chart
XRP/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingView

A breakdown below the $1.96 support could trigger a deeper correction, with potential downside targets at the 0.618 Fib level near $1.33 and the 0.786 Fib level around $0.61. These levels align with prior accumulation zones and could attract buying interest.

On the upside, reclaiming and holding above the $3.00 resistance would signal renewed bullish momentum, potentially opening the door for continuing XRP’s rally into uncharted territories.

About the Author

Yashu Gola is a journalist focusing on cryptocurrency markets since 2014. He writes for Cointelegraph and CoinChapter and has previously served as the chief editor for NewsBTC.

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