Crypto’s December Gauntlet: Bulls Hold the Line, but Bears Smell Blood
The crypto market is known for its explosive moves, but volatility comes with a price. Tuesday’s crash saw altcoins bleeding heavily while Bitcoin held its ground, dipping only to $94.3K before buyers stepped in. But resilience doesn’t equal immunity—macro factors are looming large over the market.
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) has been strengthening, closing Tuesday at 106.38 (+0.22%), and Wednesday’s CPI report could set the tone for next week’s FOMC interest rate decision. With geopolitical uncertainties bubbling under the surface and fears of economic slowdowns still haunting investors, this is no time for complacency. Bitcoin ($BTC) sits at a crossroads, and the next moves in the market may decide whether bulls regain control or a deeper correction unfolds.
Source: coinmarketcap.com
In this article, we’ll revisit the key levels and scenarios from my previous CryptoDailypieces, examine how Bitcoin and top altcoins like $XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin have performed during this turbulent week, and map out what to watch for in the days ahead.
$XRP: Resilience Hinges on $1.91 Support
XRP has been a focal point of the market, riding high from its parabolic rally to $2.91, only to crash 34.5% to a low of $1.91 during Monday’s flash crash. This low perfectly aligned with the Golden Pocket (0.618 Fib) and a critical Fair Value Gap ($1.96–$2.20), providing a high-confluence area for institutional buyers to step in.
Currently, XRP has rebounded to $2.38, reclaiming the 0.382 Fib retracement and suggesting a potential recovery toward $2.50–$2.65. However, the broader trend hinges on holding $1.91 as support, with a stop loss below $1.50 to account for volatility. If XRP loses these levels, a drop to $1.28–$1.29 (0.786 Fib), a deep liquidity zone, becomes the next likely target.
With XRP only retracing 34.5% from its yearly highs, this correction appears lightweight—so far. For bulls, reclaiming $2.65+ (higher high) is key to resuming its uptrend, while BTC’s stability will play a crucial role in its trajectory.
$SOL: Golden Pocket Holds the Line
Solana continues to show relative strength, with Tuesday’s crash bringing it down to $203, just above the Golden Pocket ($198–$200). This level, highlighted in the article, remains critical for Solana’s bullish structure.
Despite the dip, Solana has only retraced 23% from its yearly high (and the new ATH) of $264, a minor correction in the bigger picture. The current price action sees SOL trading at $215, attempting to reclaim its 0.382 Fib retracement at $221. A break above $237—a critical resistance zone and former ATH level from March—would set the stage for a retest of $264.
However, failure to hold above $198 could see Solana dropping to the $181–$182 re-buy zone (0.786 Fib), a deep liquidity area that aligns with November’s accumulation phase. For now, Solana’s resilience hinges on BTC holding the $90K–$91K zone, as any broader market weakness would likely push SOL lower.
$DOGE: Key Rectangle Support Holding (For Now)
Dogecoin’s volatility remains intact, with Tuesday’s crash testing the $0.365–$0.375 Accumulation Zone for the third time. This level held firmly with a significant volume spike, confirming the rectangle pattern ($0.37–$0.48) as a key structure.
DOGE has only corrected 24.5% from its yearly high ($0.48+)… a modest dip compared to most altcoins. However, the breakdown of its ascending channel, combined with resistance at the Golden Pocket ($0.41–$0.425) and the $0.42 horizontal level, adds pressure on bulls to reclaim momentum.
If DOGE loses its rectangle support at $0.365, a sharp drop to the $0.25 liquidity zone becomes likely, especially if BTC revisits $90K or lower. On the flip side, reclaiming $0.42 could reignite momentum toward the rectangle’s upper boundary at $0.48, with the next major target being the breakout zone at $0.60.
$BTC: Mid-Range Support Faces a Test
Bitcoin demonstrated resilience during Tuesday’s crash, dipping to $94.3K before recovering with significant volume spikes. The $95K mid-range horizontal support held firm, keeping BTC within a broader consolidation range.
However, BTC’s loss of the 50MA on the 4H chart and the breakdown of its symmetrical triangle add caution. The triangle’s target aligns with the $90K–$91K zone, a make-or-break level for the market. A failure to hold this zone risks a cascading drop to the Golden Pocket ($79.5K–$83K), the ultimate dip-buying opportunity for long-term bulls.
For upside potential, BTC must reclaim the 50MA ($96K) and break above $99K, opening the door to the $107.5K pennant target and psychological resistance at $110K. With BTC only retracing 6% from its yearly high, this correction remains shallow—so far.
Summary
This week’s crypto crash showcased Bitcoin’s resilience as it held the $94.3K support, while altcoins suffered steeper corrections. However, with geopolitical uncertainties, a strengthening Dollar Index (DXY), and Wednesday’s CPI data adding to the tension ahead of the FOMC rate decision, the next moves will be crucial.
Altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin remain within key structures but are highly sensitive to Bitcoin’s performance. If BTC loses the $90K–$91K zone, a deeper correction to the Golden Pocket ($79.5K–$83K) could be on the cards, dragging the broader market lower. On the other hand, reclaiming $96K and pushing above $99K could reignite the bull run.
For now, the market remains in limbo—watch these levels and stay sharp. Bulls may win December, but they’ll need to earn it.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
