Bitcoin awaits the next shove as buyers and sellers battle

<p></p><p>Bitcoin buyers came in early in yesterday’s North American session and pushed the price higher. The rally took the digital currency above both its 100- and 200-hour moving averages, shown by the blue and green lines on the chart below, and to its highest level since September 23.</p><p>However, the break could not sustain momentum. The price quickly rotated back below both moving averages, and the upside push fizzled.</p><p>The buyers had their shot. The buyers missed.</p><p></p><p>Moving averages define the near-term bias</p><p>The two hourly moving averages remain key barometers for buyers and sellers:</p><ul><li><p>100-hour moving average: $83,721</p></li><li><p>200-hour moving average: $84,013</p></li></ul><p>The current price is trading just below both, giving sellers a modest near-term advantage. Staying below those levels keeps the bias tilted to the downside.</p><p>Conversely, a move above both moving averages—and sustained trading above them—would shift the bias back toward the buyers. Trading between the two defines a more neutral area. Bitcoin has spent time in that area today as buyers and sellers figure out which direction the next shove will take them.</p><p>For now, sellers have the edge against the moving averages. However, they still have work to do below.</p><p>Support keeps buyers in the battle</p><p>Since breaking above the $81,517–$82,833 swing area on September 21, Bitcoin has generally held above the upper boundary at $82,833.</p><p>There were dips below that level on September 28, but subsequent lows have stayed above it. That continued defense keeps buyers in play despite yesterday’s failed rally.</p><p>The distinction is important: trading below the moving averages gives sellers a near-term advantage, but holding above the swing area limits their downside progress.</p><p>What would give sellers more control?</p><p>The first step would be to break below $82,833 and stay below it. That would put the price back inside the swing area and expose its lower boundary at $81,517.</p><p>A sustained break below $81,517 would give sellers firmer control and open the door toward the next downside target area at $79,500–$80,200.</p><p>Until those support levels give way, sellers have an advantage, but buyers still have a floor to lean against.</p><p>What would give buyers more control?</p><p></p><p>Buyers need to reclaim the 100-hour moving average at $83,721, followed by the 200-hour moving average at $84,013.</p><p>Getting above both is the first step. Staying above them is what would give the break more credibility—something yesterday’s rally failed to do.</p><p>If buyers can establish support above the 200-hour moving average, the next upside targets would be:</p><ul><li><p>$85,578: Yesterday’s swing high.</p></li><li><p>$87,374: The September 21 and September 23 high area.</p></li></ul><p>A lesson for beginner traders: the break needs to hold</p><p>Yesterday’s price action is a reminder that moving above a technical level does not guarantee a lasting breakout. Buyers pushed through both moving averages, but the quick reversal showed they could not maintain control.</p><p>Technical levels help traders define both a directional bias and a place to measure risk. Above both moving averages, buyers have a stronger argument. Below both, sellers have the advantage. Between them, the picture is more neutral.</p><p>For Bitcoin, the next sustained move away from these levels should help resolve the battle. Sellers need to break support. Buyers need to reclaim and hold above the moving averages.</p><p>In the video above, I walk through those levels and explain what buyers and sellers need to do to take more control of the next move.</p> This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.