Bitcoin’s sideways price action leads traders to focus on SHIB, UNI, MKR and XDC

Bitcoin (BTC) is on track to form two successive Doji candlestick patterns on the weekly charts but a positive sign is that the price is sustaining above the 20-week exponential moving average ($28,072). This suggests that the bulls have not lost their grip.

Popular pseudonymous trader TechDev used the three-week timeframe to show that Bitcoin’s compression above the 20-period moving average was approaching values seen only four times since Bitcoin’s creation. Interestingly, on all three previous occasions, the expansions happened to the upside, suggesting that history favors the bulls.

However, in the near term, the lack of volatility has pulled Bitcoin futures trading volumes to their lowest levels since December 2022. Cointelegraph contributor Marcel Pechman believes this shows that traders may have shifted to other markets or may be avoiding making moves at the current levels.

While several altcoins are looking to Bitcoin for direction, some have outperformed in the near term. Let’s study the charts of the top-five cryptocurrencies that are looking positive over the next few days.

Bitcoin price analysis

Bitcoin has been trading near the 20-day EMA ($29,447) for the past two days, signaling indecision between the bulls and the bears.

The flattish moving averages and the relative strength index (RSI) near the midpoint do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears. That could keep the BTC/USDT pair stuck inside the $28,585-to-$30,150 range for a while.

The next trending move is likely to begin after the price escapes this range. If the price dives below $28,585, the selling could pick up momentum and the pair may dump to $26,000.

On the upside, a break and close above $30,150 may attract buyers. The pair could then surge to the $31,804-to-$32,400 resistance zone.

The four-hour chart shows that the price is stuck between the moving averages, suggesting uncertainty about the next trending move. If the price closes below the 50-day simple moving average, the short-term advantage will tilt in favor of the bears. That could drag the price toward $29,000 and then to $28,585.

If the price turns up and breaks above the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that the bulls are trying to seize control. The pair may first rise to $29,738, and if this hurdle is cleared, the rally could reach the overhead resistance at $30,350.

Shiba Inu price analysis

Shiba Inu (SHIB) is in a strong recovery, but buyers are facing resistance near the overhead resistance at $0.000012.

The upsloping 20-day EMA ($0.000009) and the RSI near the overbought zone indicate that bulls are in command. If buyers do not give up much ground from the overhead resistance, it will enhance the prospects of a rally above $0.000012. If that happens, the SHIB/USDT pair could soar to $0.000014 and then to $0.000016.

Contrarily, if the price slumps below $0.000010, the pair may extend its pullback to the 20-day EMA. This remains the key level to watch out for because a break below it may signal that the recovery may be over.

The four-hour chart shows that the price has corrected to the 20-day EMA. The bulls are expected to protect the level with vigor. If they do that, the pair may again attempt to break and sustain above the overhead resistance at $0.000011.

If the price skids and sustains below the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that the bulls are losing their grip. The pair may then tumble to the next major support at the 50-day SMA. This level may witness aggressive buying by the bulls.

Uniswap price analysis

Uniswap (UNI) rebounded off the 50-day SMA ($5.79) on Aug. 7 and rose above the 20-day EMA ($6.09) on Aug. 8. This shows that buyers are active at lower levels.

The UNI/USDT pair is witnessing a tough battle near the 20-day EMA, indicating that the bears have not yet given up. If the price sustains below the 20-day EMA, the selling could intensify and the pair may drop to the 50-day SMA.

Instead, if the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA, it will indicate that the bulls are trying to flip this level into support. If they manage to do that, the pair may rise above the immediate resistance at $6.35 and reach $6.70.

Both moving averages have flattened out on the four-hour chart. This suggests a balance between supply and demand. If the price dips below the 50-day SMA, the advantage will tilt in favor of the bears. The pair may then plunge to $5.80.

Alternatively, if the price rebounds off the 50-day SMA and rises above the 20-day EMA, it will suggest buying on dips. The pair could then rise to $6.35. Buyers will have to surmount this resistance to come out on top. The pair may then soar to $6.70.

Related: Voyager’s token transfer to Coinbase sparks sell-off suspicions

Maker price analysis

Maker (MKR) has been trading above the breakout level of $1,200 for the past few days, indicating that the bulls are attempting to flip the level into support.

The 20-day EMA ($1,204) is sloping up gradually and the RSI is in the positive territory, suggesting that the bulls have the edge. Buyers will try to propel the price above the immediate resistance of $1,284 and challenge the local high at $1,370. A break and close above this level could signal the start of a new uptrend.

If bears want to prevent the uptrend, they will have to quickly yank the price back below the breakout level of $1,200. That could open the gates for a decline to the 50-day SMA ($1,041).

The 20-day EMA on the four-hour chart has flattened out, and the RSI is just above the midpoint. The price action has formed a symmetrical triangle pattern, indicating indecision among the bulls and the bears.

If buyers drive the price above the triangle, the MKR/USDT pair may start an up-move toward the pattern target of $1,463. On the other hand, a break below the triangle could signal that bears are back in the game. The pattern target on the downside is $986.

XDC Network price analysis

XDC Network (XDC) has pulled back to the 20-day EMA ($0.062), which is an important support to watch out for.

The 20-day EMA is flattening out and the RSI is just above the midpoint, indicating that the bullish momentum may be weakening. If buyers want to gain control, they will have to propel the price above the overhead resistance at $0.073. That could start an up-move to $0.082.

On the contrary, a break and close below the 20-day EMA could sink the pair to the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of $0.056. Such a move could delay the start of the next leg of the uptrend.

The four-hour chart shows a descending triangle formation, which will complete on a break and close below $0.061. If that happens, the pair could start a downward move to $0.054 and, thereafter, to the pattern target of $0.040.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price continues higher from the current level and breaks above the downtrend line, it will invalidate the bearish setup. The failure of a negative setup is a positive sign. That could open the doors for a potential rally to $0.082.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.