Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin (BTC) abruptly exited lower levels to challenge firm resistance on Aug. 20 in further inspiration for bulls. 

Bitcoin coils up beneath major sell wall

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD hitting local highs of $47,415 on Bitstamp overnight on Thursday.

The pair had received a welcome boost from news of a Bitcoin fund launch from Wells Fargo, this fuelling 24-hour gains of over 5%.

Now, Bitcoin was primed to challenge established resistance levels at $47,000 and higher, these nonetheless keeping bulls in check at the time of writing. 

For popular trader and analyst Rekt Capital, a key support area to watch was now broader — between $44,000 and $46,500.

“BTC successfully Daily Closed above orange, which has led price to immediate resistance at the Lower High (black),” he commented on an accompanying chart showing the relevant price zones. 

“$BTC could get rejected from here, even if just for a small dip to retest the top of the orange area as support.”

A subsequent dip below $47,000 did not last long, with momentum still in evidence as the $48,000 sell wall loomed.

Bitcoin was unimpacted by news that major exchange Binance would enforce identification measures for all users beginning in September.

Strength in the U.S. dollar, traditionally a problematic event for short-term price action, also failed to dampen the enthusiasm.

“BTC is surprisingly strong while DXY is ripping higher,” trader Crypto Ed said in comments on the situation.

Cardano outshines in top ten altcoins

Similar strength was observed as a knock-on effect for altcoins, with Cardano (ADA) once again returning to outshine market heavyweight Ether (ETH).

Related: Bitcoin gains strength as Friday’s $600M BTC options expiry approaches

The latter nonetheless achieved daily gains above 6%, while Cardano was up 18% at the time of writing, climbing above $2.50.

XRP and Polkadot (DOT) both managed 10% returns.

The overall cryptocurrency market cap stood at over $2 trillion once more Friday amid the broader altcoin comeback.