Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP (XRP) showcase key technical patterns on their weekly and 4-hour charts. These setups underscore crucial support and resistance levels, offering insights into potential price movements as the altcoins approach the close of the 2024 trading session.
On the 4-hour chart, Ethereum has slipped below an ascending triangle, a bearish breakdown that projects a near-term target of $2,980. The target is measured after the maximum triangle height is added to the breakdown point.
The price is currently struggling below the 50-EMA and 200-EMA, indicating a lack of upward momentum in the short term. Bulls may attempt a recovery, but reclaiming the triangle’s lower trendline around $3,400 is crucial to invalidate the bearish structure.
If buyers fail to regain this level, increased selling pressure could lead to a retest of the $3,000 psychological support zone. One should watch for a volume increase to confirm any decisive moves.
Ethereum’s weekly chart shows a well-defined inverse head-and-shoulders pattern—a structure often associated with trend reversals.
The neckline of this pattern lies near $3,350, a critical resistance level that the price must clear to confirm the setup. Should this breakout occur, the technical target could extend to $7,724, calculated based on the height of the pattern added to the breakout level.
However, momentum remains mixed. The RSI sits in neutral territory, showing room for upward movement, but the lack of strong volume during recent rallies may signal hesitation among buyers.
Additionally, the 50-week EMA ($2,925) provides a robust layer of support, keeping the bullish structure intact even during temporary pullbacks.
In the short term, Solana’s price is compressing within a symmetrical triangle on the 4-hour chart, indicating indecision in the market.
The triangle’s lower boundary near $184 aligns with the 200-EMA, making it a crucial level for the bulls to defend. A breakdown below this level could trigger a correction toward $168, the triangle’s measured move target.
Alternatively, a breakout above $196 would invalidate the bearish scenario and potentially pave the way for a retest of $212. The volume during the breakout or breakdown will likely be key in determining the next significant price movement.
Solana’s weekly chart displays a bull flag—a continuation pattern forming after its sharp rally from $100 to $180 earlier this year. The flagpole’s height projects a potential breakout target near $310, which aligns with a strong resistance zone highlighted by Fibonacci levels.
Currently, Solana is consolidating just below the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level at $212, which remains a key hurdle for bulls. A breakout above this level could confirm the bull flag, triggering further upside. The 50-week EMA ($155) offers strong support, suggesting that buyers are prepared to defend lower levels during any temporary retracement.
Momentum indicators like the RSI are slightly overheated, hovering near 70, which may indicate a short period of consolidation before the next leg up. Still, the broader structure remains bullish as long as the price stays above the flag’s lower trendline near $180.
XRP’s short-term action remains constrained within a descending channel on the 4-hour chart.
The upper boundary of this channel aligns with the Fib 0.618 retracement level near $2.40, a key area of resistance. A breakout above this level could trigger a short-term rally toward $2.85, corresponding to the channel’s measured move.
Conversely, failure to break above $2.40 could see the price testing the channel’s lower boundary at $2.00. With both the 50-EMA and 200-EMA above the price, the short-term outlook remains tilted toward the bears unless buyers can reclaim key levels.
Momentum traders may look for confirmation of either scenario before entering positions.
XRP’s parabolic rally from late November has transitioned into a bull flag pattern on the weekly chart—a continuation pattern often signaling further upside. The flagpole’s height suggests a potential breakout target near $5.04 if the price breaches the upper boundary of the flag at $2.50.
The 50-week EMA ($1.85) serves as strong support, protecting the broader bullish bias despite ongoing consolidation.
The RSI sits in neutral territory, hinting that XRP could build sufficient momentum for the next leg higher. However, traders should watch for a breakout confirmation above the flag resistance, accompanied by a spike in volume.
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.