Geopolitical tensions weigh on Stellar as bears target key support levels

Key takeaways

  • Stellar (XLM) extends losses as renewed U.S.-Iran tensions fueled a risk-off market environment.
  • XLM is currently hovering near critical support around $0.177.
  • XLM could test support near $0.173 if selling pressure intensifies.

Stellar (XLM) remains under pressure on Tuesday as investors reduced exposure to risk assets following escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.

The broader cryptocurrency market weakened after renewed military developments in the Middle East increased uncertainty, pushing investors toward safer assets while weighing on altcoins.

US-Iran escalation dampens investor confidence

According to reports, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces carried out additional strikes on Iranian military targets while maintaining more than 50,000 U.S. troops across the Middle East.

Iranian state-affiliated media also reported strikes in southern Iran, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had disabled two supertankers in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing them of violating navigation warnings.

The IRGC warned that continued military activity in the region could delay the reopening of the strategic waterway and disrupt global energy supplies.

The heightened geopolitical tensions pushed West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil above $80 per barrel, reinforcing a broader risk-off mood across financial markets and placing additional pressure on cryptocurrencies such as XLM.

Futures market data indicates traders are becoming increasingly cautious on both assets.

According to CoinGlass, XLM open interest dropped to approximately $182.21 million, extending the decline from elevated levels recorded in June.

Falling open interest alongside declining prices often signals that traders are closing positions rather than opening new ones, reflecting weakening market participation and reduced confidence.

Funding rates have also turned negative for XLM and now read -0.0021%. Negative funding rates indicate that short sellers are paying long-position holders, highlighting increased demand for bearish positions in the perpetual futures market.

Stellar (XLM) price analysis: Momentum remains weak

Stellar also continues to struggle as it trades near $0.179, below its major moving averages.

Current resistance levels include the 50-day EMA at $0.186, the 100-day EMA ($0.190), and the 200-day EMA ($0.196)

The RSI remains near 41, reflecting subdued momentum, while the MACD continues to trend in negative territory, suggesting buyers have yet to regain control.

XLM/USD 4H Chart

The first major support is located near $0.177, followed by the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level around $0.173.

If bearish momentum strengthens, XLM could decline toward a broader support zone near $0.142.

Should buyers return, resistance awaits at $0.186, $0.190, and $0.196, with additional upside barriers near $0.200, $0.218, $0.237, and $0.260.

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PI slides 15% as weak demand raises risk of drop to $0.075

Key takeaways

  • Pi Network (PI) fell another 6% on Monday after dropping 7% the previous day, extending its prolonged downtrend.
  • Retail participation continues to weaken, with Open Interest falling below $9 million, signaling declining leveraged trading activity.
  • Analysts warn that ongoing token unlocks could continue to pressure prices if supply outpaces demand.

Pi Network (PI) remained under heavy selling pressure on Monday, falling around 6% after suffering a 7% decline in the previous trading session.

The continued weakness reflects fading retail participation, declining leveraged positions, and concerns that ongoing token unlocks could keep supply ahead of demand. 

Technical indicators also suggest the correction may not be over, with the token approaching a key support level near $0.075.

Retail demand continues to fade

Recent derivatives data points to weakening interest among traders. According to CoinAnk, Pi Network’s Open Interest (OI) declined to $8.48 million on Monday from $8.91 million a day earlier.

The drop in Open Interest indicates that traders are closing leveraged positions rather than opening new ones, reflecting reduced confidence and lower speculative activity around the token.

Pi Network price analysis: Bears target the $0.075 support

Technically, Pi Network has remained in a persistent downtrend since late April, forming a falling channel pattern on the daily chart.

The latest decline has pushed the token closer to the channel’s lower support trendline around $0.075.

If sellers successfully break below this level, the next significant support is located near $0.0679, which corresponds to the 1.618 Fibonacci extension measured from the previous decline between $0.1998 and $0.1183.

Technical momentum continues to favor the bears. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has fallen to approximately 10, placing the asset deep in oversold territory and highlighting the intensity of the recent selling pressure.

Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains below the zero line, with both the MACD and signal lines trending lower while negative histogram bars continue expanding.

Together, these indicators suggest bearish momentum remains firmly in control despite increasingly oversold conditions.

The immediate focus remains on the $0.075 support level. A decisive breakdown below this area could accelerate losses toward $0.0679, reinforcing the prevailing downtrend.

On the upside, if buyers manage to defend support and trigger a rebound, PI could first target the 1.272 Fibonacci extension at $0.0961, followed by the important $0.1000 psychological resistance.

PI/USD 4H Chart

Until stronger buying activity returns, however, Pi Network’s technical outlook continues to favor additional downside as weak retail demand and expanding token supply weigh on market sentiment.

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BTC slips below $63K as Middle East tensions offset ETF inflows

Key takeaways

  • Bitcoin fell to $63,000 after renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weakened investor risk appetite.
  • The U.S. military’s latest strikes on Iran and heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz boosted demand for safe-haven assets while pressuring cryptocurrencies.
  • Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $197.4 million in weekly inflows, ending an eight-week streak of net outflows, but institutional buying failed to offset broader market uncertainty.

Bitcoin (BTC) traded below $63,000 on Monday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weakened investor appetite for risk assets, overshadowing improving institutional demand through spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Although Bitcoin ETFs recorded their first week of net inflows in nearly two months, renewed uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz kept bullish momentum in check.

Middle East escalation sparks risk-off trading

Market sentiment deteriorated after the United States launched fresh military strikes against Iranian targets on Sunday.

According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation targeted Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar installations, missile and drone capabilities, as well as naval assets using fighter aircraft, warships, and both aerial and maritime attack drones.

Iranian media reported multiple explosions near Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Jask—areas located close to key military infrastructure surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation intensified after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly targeted another commercial vessel and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

The escalating conflict prompted investors to reduce exposure to riskier assets, driving West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil above $75 per barrel while cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, came under renewed selling pressure.

Despite the broader market weakness, institutional demand showed signs of recovery.

According to CoinGlass, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $197.4 million in net inflows last week, ending an eight-week streak of consecutive outflows that began in mid-May.

The return of institutional buying suggests long-term investor confidence remains intact. However, the renewed geopolitical uncertainty limited the immediate impact of these inflows on Bitcoin’s price.

Bitcoin price analysis: Bears continue to defend $64,000

Bitcoin was trading around $63,055 at the time of writing, remaining below the critical $64,000 resistance level.

The cryptocurrency continues to trade beneath all of its major exponential moving averages (EMAs), highlighting the prevailing bearish market structure.

Key resistance levels include:

  • 50-day EMA: $65,192
  • 100-day EMA: $68,686
  • 200-day EMA: $74,736

These technical barriers continue to form a strong overhead supply zone, limiting recovery attempts.

Momentum indicators suggest selling pressure may be easing, but a bullish reversal has yet to emerge. 

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains just below the neutral 50 level, indicating that buyers have not yet regained control.

Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains in positive territory, suggesting downside momentum has moderated. 

However, the broader technical structure remains bearish as long as Bitcoin trades below key resistance levels.

The immediate resistance remains the $64,004 horizontal barrier, where recent rallies have repeatedly stalled.

If buyers successfully reclaim that level, attention will shift to the 50-day EMA at $65,192, the 100-day EMA ($68,686), and the 200-day EMA ($74,736).

A sustained breakout above these levels could open the door to a longer-term move toward the $84,410 resistance zone.

BTC/USD 4H Chart

On the downside, Bitcoin lacks strong technical support immediately below current prices. If selling pressure intensifies, traders are likely to focus on the $60,000 psychological level, which could serve as the next major support area.

For now, Bitcoin’s near-term direction will likely depend on whether geopolitical tensions ease and whether improving institutional demand through spot ETFs can outweigh broader macroeconomic and geopolitical risks.

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Ethereum approaches $1,800 as bulls test key resistance

Key takeaways

  • Ethereum (ETH) is extending its recovery, trading near $1,800, a key technical resistance level.
  • Despite improving momentum, ETH remains below its 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day EMAs, keeping the broader trend cautious.
  • Technical indicators, including the RSI and MACD, suggest bullish momentum is strengthening.

Ethereum price nears $1,800 as recovery momentum builds

Ethereum (ETH) continued its recovery on Friday, climbing to around $1,790 as buyers pushed the cryptocurrency closer to the important $1,800 resistance level.

Although recent gains have improved short-term sentiment, Ethereum remains below several major moving averages, indicating that the broader trend has yet to shift decisively in favor of the bulls.

Ethereum’s recovery is approaching a significant technical hurdle at the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near $1,800.

The asset continues to trade below all of its major trend indicators, including the 50-day EMA at $1,800, the 100-day EMA ($1,956), and the 200-day EMA ($2,235)

This cluster of moving averages continues to cap upside momentum and suggests that the broader market remains in a corrective phase despite the recent rebound.

Momentum Indicators Turn More Constructive

Technical indicators point to improving buying momentum. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hovering around 60, moving above the neutral 50 level and indicating that buyers are gradually regaining control.

Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains in positive territory, signaling strengthening bullish momentum as Ethereum attempts to build on its recent recovery.

While both indicators support additional upside in the short term, a confirmed breakout above the major resistance levels is still needed to establish a stronger bullish trend.

The immediate resistance remains the 50-day EMA near $1,800. A successful daily close above this level could allow Ethereum to target the 100-day EMA around $1,956, followed by the important $2,000 psychological resistance. 

Beyond that, the 200-day EMA near $2,236 represents the next major obstacle for bulls.

ETH/USD 4H Chart

On the downside, the primary support level sits around $1,385. A break below this area would signal renewed bearish pressure and could revive the broader downtrend.

As long as Ethereum remains above its key support while momentum indicators continue to improve, the possibility of further consolidation—and eventually a breakout above the $1,800 resistance zone—remains intact.

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Bitcoin tops $64K as improving risk sentiment boosts crypto market recovery

Key takeaways

  • Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP extended their recovery as geopolitical concerns eased.
  • Market sentiment improved after US President Donald Trump said Iran had reached out to discuss a potential agreement.
  • Bitcoin has surpassed the key $64,000 resistance level, with a breakout potentially strengthening the short-term outlook.

Bitcoin (BTC) extended its recovery on Friday, climbing above the $64,000 level as improving investor sentiment supported a broader rebound across the cryptocurrency market.

The recovery comes after geopolitical concerns eased following comments from US President Donald Trump, who said Iran had contacted the United States to discuss a potential agreement. 

The remarks fueled hopes of reduced tensions in the Middle East, encouraging investors to return to risk assets.

The positive sentiment also helped Ethereum (ETH) edge closer to $1,800, while XRP stabilized after finding support near key technical levels.

Improving risk appetite supports Bitcoin recovery

Cryptocurrency markets gained ground as fears surrounding the recent escalation in the Middle East began to subside.

Investor confidence improved after Trump indicated that Iran had initiated contact with the United States regarding possible negotiations, raising expectations that diplomatic efforts could help prevent further conflict.

The shift in market sentiment prompted renewed buying across digital assets, allowing Bitcoin to recover toward an important technical resistance zone.

Bitcoin price analysis: Bulls target higher resistance levels

Bitcoin was trading around $64,300 at the time of writing, placing it just below the significant $65,000 resistance area.

Although the recent rebound has strengthened short-term momentum, BTC remains below several key trend indicators, suggesting the broader market structure has yet to turn decisively bullish.

Bitcoin continues to trade beneath the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $65,399, the 100-day EMA ($68,991), and the 200-day EMA ($75,024)

These moving averages form a strong overhead resistance zone that bulls must overcome before confirming a broader trend reversal.

Technical indicators suggest buying momentum is slowly returning. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved above the neutral 50 level, indicating strengthening bullish momentum after weeks of weakness.

Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains in positive territory, with the MACD line holding above zero and the histogram continuing to expand, signaling that upward momentum is gradually building.

While these indicators favor buyers in the short term, they have yet to invalidate the broader bearish structure.

The first major resistance for Bitcoin sits near the $64,686 horizontal level. A decisive daily close above this area would bring the 50-day EMA at $65,399 into focus. 

If buyers clear that hurdle, attention could shift toward the 100-day EMA at $68,991, followed by the 200-day EMA at $75,024.

Beyond those levels, the next significant long-term resistance lies around $84,410.

On the downside, Bitcoin lacks a strong nearby technical support zone, making the market vulnerable to renewed selling pressure if the current recovery loses momentum. 

BTC/USD 4H Chart

In that scenario, traders will likely look to the $60,000 psychological level as the next major area where buying interest could emerge.

For now, improving geopolitical sentiment has provided Bitcoin with short-term support, but bulls will need to reclaim $64,000 and overcome the cluster of moving average resistance to strengthen the case for a sustained recovery.

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