empty
01.04.2025 03:58 PM
Bitcoin caught in bull trap

The bottom shows no strength, the top has no desire. Even the so-called "smart money" is not rushing to buy Bitcoin, citing a confluence of negative factors. Tepid trading activity, a tense macroeconomic backdrop, and a lack of upside momentum have created what the market calls a "bull trap". If big players are holding back, what can we expect from smaller market participants?

Crypto market volume trends

This image is no longer relevant

In the fourth quarter, Bitcoin lost around 10% of its value — not a terrible performance compared to broader crypto assets. Ethereum plunged 45%, and Coinbase shares fell 31%. This marked the worst performance since 2022, when the FTX collapse sent shockwaves through the entire digital asset industry.

Bitcoin has outperformed Ethereum and other competitors largely due to increased attention from the White House. Donald Trump has announced the creation of a strategic reserve, and his family is launching mining ventures. They are clearly betting on a BTC/USD rally, but it is too early to call. In the futures market, hedging is ramping up to protect against a drop below the psychologically crucial $80,000 level. Meanwhile, the spread between spot and derivatives has dipped into negative territory, signaling a bearish market tone.

BTC futures vs spot market premium

This image is no longer relevant

Persistent geopolitical instability, looming risks of a US stagflation or recession, and the potential escalation of trade tariffs are casting a shadow over BTC/USD. Bitcoin remains mired in consolidation, and even if it manages to break out, there is no guarantee that it will be to the upside.

Much depends on how equity markets respond to "America's Liberation Day," as Trump has dubbed April 2. Two scenarios are in play: either the White House enacts universal 20% tariffs, or it goes with so-called reciprocal tariffs on selected imports. The former could shock markets and trigger a sell-off in riskier assets. The latter could extend the S&P 500's recent rally and throw Bitcoin bulls a much-needed lifeline.

This image is no longer relevant

In short, the fate of Bitcoin — and that of other assets — remains in the hands of Donald Trump. How aggressive will he be with protectionism? Will he offer exemptions, sparing some countries from the tariff blacklist? The answers are just days away. "Liberation Day" is approaching.

Technically, on the daily BTC/USD chart, bulls are trying to form and activate a combination of reversal patterns — Anti-Turtles and 1-2-3. A successful test of the $84,800 resistance level would strengthen the bullish case and open the door to building long Bitcoin positions.

Marek Petkovich,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold prices are showing a positive trajectory after an intraday decline to the $3275–3274 level. The renewed demand for safe-haven assets is driven by geopolitical risks, including the prolonged conflict

Irina Yanina 18:52 2025-05-09 UTC+2

DXY. The Dollar Holds Out Hope for a Recovery

Today, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the greenback's performance against a basket of major currencies, is in a phase of bullish consolidation after reaching an almost one-month high

Irina Yanina 11:31 2025-05-09 UTC+2

Markets Will Open Their Eyes and Close Their Ears

"Better go and buy stocks right now! Thanks to the White House's trade policy, the U.S. will attract $10 trillion in investment. This country will be like a rocket going

Marek Petkovich 11:10 2025-05-09 UTC+2

The U.S. and U.K. Sign a Trade Agreement

The British pound fell in response to the news that the U.S. and the U.K. had signed a trade agreement. However, there are many nuances that need to be clarified

Jakub Novak 09:31 2025-05-09 UTC+2

Has Everyone Started Believing Trump Again?

The U.S. dollar resumed its upward trajectory, while several risk assets dropped sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he expects the upcoming trade talks with China, scheduled

Jakub Novak 09:28 2025-05-09 UTC+2

The European Union Prepares New Tariffs Against the United States

It has come to light that the European Union is planning to impose additional tariffs on U.S. exports worth €95 billion if current trade negotiations with President Donald Trump's administration

Jakub Novak 09:25 2025-05-09 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 9: The Bank of England Confuses Traders Even More

The GBP/USD currency pair moved downwards first and then upwards on Thursday, indicating that the market has not yet decided how to interpret the Bank of England's meeting results

Paolo Greco 04:05 2025-05-09 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 9: Powell and the Fed Changed Nothing

On Thursday, the EUR/USD currency pair continued to trade within the same sideways channel, clearly visible on the hourly chart, almost until the evening. As we warned, the outcome

Paolo Greco 04:05 2025-05-09 UTC+2

BoE Is Concerned About the Economy

I regularly monitor three central banks, each representing an almost entirely different approach to monetary policy. On Thursday, the Bank of England cut interest rates, citing concerns over slowing economic

Chin Zhao 01:35 2025-05-09 UTC+2

The Fed Chair Is Steadfast as Steel

Everyone has already had time to review the results of the recent Federal Reserve meeting. In this article, I want to highlight a few positive points for the U.S. dollar

Chin Zhao 01:16 2025-05-09 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.