Bitcoin retests $70K as veteran trader flags ‘ugly’ setup

  • Bitcoin traded to intraday lows of $70,500 amid key macro and geopolitical-related events.
  • Veteran trader Peter Brandt has highlighted a potential bearish retest of support.
  • The Iran war and inflation concerns tick potential negative catalysts boxes.

Bitcoin price flipped lower to trade below $70,500 as sellers showed fresh strength, with BTC down as cryptocurrencies reacted to US inflation data, the Federal Reserve’s rate decision, and the escalation in the Iran war.

Veteran trader Peter Brandt has shared his outlook for BTC in terms of technical setup, noting that a constructive “horn” remains in play. However, it could also be an “ugly” flag pattern.

BTC price 24-hour performance

Bitcoin is currently trading at approximately $70,850 as of March 19, 2026.

The benchmark digital asset has declined by nearly 4% over the past 24 hours, sliding from highs near $74,800 amid a confluence of negative catalysts.

Notably, the price movement ties directly to global events.

The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, now in its third week, has escalated with Iran’s missile strikes in the Gulf after Israel eliminated key Iranian figure Ali Larijani.

This has spiked oil prices, fueling inflation fears and contributing to Bitcoin’s risk-off sentiment, as seen in prior dips below $64,000 after initial attacks.

Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserve’s March meeting held interest rates steady, citing inflation and uncertainty over the direction of the war in Iran and its impact on global energy markets.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized a cautious stance, delaying cuts amid rising inflation risks, which prompted a retreat across risk assets.

Earlier in the day, US inflation data showed the producer price index (PPI) coming in hotter than expected. BTC fell from above $74,000 as traders turned their attention to the further impact of the war.

BTC price forecast: Brandt’s shares potential “ugly” outlook

Peter Brandt, known for his classical charting expertise, highlighted Bitcoin’s potential price setup via a post on the social media platform X.

“The horn is constructive. The flag is ugly. Take your pick,” he cautioned as downside pressure resurfaced.

A look at the chart suggests a “horn” pattern that represents a volatile, widening formation.

In terms of technical setup, this signals a potential breakout momentum if Bitcoin pushes through upper resistance.

​Brandt’s chart shows consolidation above macro support, with price poised near the range top. If bulls manage to reclaim $74,000, a move to the $80,000 could materialize.

However, the flag pattern suggests action could turn bearish amid the macro and geopolitical factors.

Bitcoin price on the daily chart indicates rejection at the recent top could be another bearish wedge pattern, ex-fund manager Aksel Kibar notes.

Potentially, bears could target a retest of $68,000. Any further decline may see BTC revisit the $65,000-$60,000 range.

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Hedera nears $0.10: is HBAR ready for a breakout?”

  • Hedera (HBAR) gains on ecosystem token listings and growing exchange support.
  • Google, IBM, and Deutsche Telekom back Hedera Hashgraph, boosting credibility.
  • Breaking above the resistance at $0.1051 could target $0.15 in coming months.

Hedera is showing renewed momentum as its price hovers around $0.10, signaling potential for a near-term breakout.

The cryptocurrency has outperformed Bitcoin (BTC) over the past 24 hours, gaining 1.5% despite low overall market activity.

Much of this movement is being driven by growing visibility and adoption of the Hedera ecosystem on major exchanges.

Kraken’s recent listings of Hedera-native tokens, including lending protocol BONZO and community tokens like $SAUCE, have brought attention to the network.

These listings are more than just symbolic. They represent deeper integration and access for investors to the broader Hedera ecosystem.

Volume trends suggest that this price uptick is sentiment-driven rather than a surge of large capital inflows.

This highlights that investor interest is increasingly tied to the network’s fundamental growth.

Enterprise adoption fuels confidence

One of Hedera’s strongest advantages is its backing by major global enterprises.

Companies like Google, IBM, and Deutsche Telekom are active participants in the Hedera Council, giving the Hedera Hashgraph network both governance oversight and credibility.

Council members operate nodes, vote on protocol updates, and guide the technical direction of Hedera.

This governance model appeals to institutional investors who value transparency and accountability in enterprise blockchain solutions.

The involvement of these companies also signals that Hedera is moving beyond speculative trading into real-world enterprise applications.

Analysts point to projects like supply chain tracking and tokenized services as examples where Hedera is already proving its practical value.

This fundamental adoption could be a critical driver for HBAR price growth in the months ahead.

Technical analysis suggests near-term upside

On the technical side, HBAR is testing important support and resistance zones.

Short-term support has held around $0.0942, while immediate resistance is near $0.1051.

Breaking above this level could open the way for further gains toward $0.1174 and possibly $0.1293 according to CoinLore.

Additional near-term resistance exists at around $0.104, marking Fibonacci retracement targets that traders are watching closely.

Hedera price analysis
Hedera (HBAR) price chart | Source: TradingView

A daily close above $0.1014 would signal stronger bullish momentum, while a break below $0.0979 could trigger a pullback toward the 20-day exponential moving average near $0.097.

Analysts suggest that if current support levels hold and momentum continues, HBAR could test the $0.15 level in the medium term.

Upcoming events like the HederaCon 2026, scheduled for early May, could also provide catalysts.

Positive news from the conference could add momentum to HBAR’s price, particularly if it coincides with increased trading activity for ecosystem tokens.

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Bitcoin price outlook: Citigroup predicts $112K despite regulatory roadblocks

  • Citigroup forecasts Bitcoin at $112,000 despite slow US crypto legislation.
  • Bitcoin price ranges show cautious momentum with potential volatility ahead.
  • Institutional demand remains key amid regulatory uncertainty.

Bitcoin has been steadily climbing over the past week, with its price now sitting around $74,000.

This marks a 6.5% increase over the last seven days, showing renewed momentum after several months of sideways movement.

Citigroup, in its latest update, adjusted its 12-month price forecast for Bitcoin to $112,000, from its previous target of around $143,000.

Citi’s move reflects a cautious optimism shaped by both market dynamics and regulatory developments.

Regulatory headwinds weigh heavily

One of the main reasons for Citigroup’s revised forecast is the slow progress on US cryptocurrency legislation. Lawmakers have yet to finalize clear rules on key issues like stablecoins and decentralized finance.

This lack of clarity is affecting institutional adoption.

Investment firms and hedge funds are hesitant to increase exposure without clear regulatory guidance. The window for passing meaningful crypto laws in the Senate is narrowing.

Internal political divisions are slowing the process further.

Without these legislative catalysts, the market may continue to trade in ranges despite overall optimism.

Citigroup notes that this legislative uncertainty could act as a ceiling for Bitcoin in the near term. Even with strong demand from retail and institutional investors, clear rules are needed to support sustained growth.

What traders should watch out for

Ethereum, Bitcoin’s closest competitor, is also experiencing slower growth due to similar challenges.

Citigroup lowered Ethereum’s 12-month target to $3,175, down from over $4,000. Both cryptocurrencies are influenced by network activity and investor demand, which have shown signs of weakening.

Currently, Bitcoin is trading within a 24-hour range of $73,500 to $74,800, showing relatively stable momentum.

Over the past week, it has moved between $69,000 and $75,600, indicating that volatility is still present.

Citigroup outlines several potential scenarios for Bitcoin’s trajectory. In a bear case, a broader economic downturn or continued regulatory delays could push the price toward $58,000.

On the other hand, strong investor interest and institutional flows could drive it up to $165,000.

These scenarios suggest a wide range of outcomes, highlighting the risks and opportunities for traders.

Even in the base case, Bitcoin is expected to trade around $112,000 within 12 months if adoption trends continue and market confidence improves.

This makes it an attractive, though still volatile, asset for those looking to participate in the cryptocurrency market.

The road ahead is clearly influenced by policy decisions, investor sentiment, and market activity, and traders will need to watch for both regulatory developments and demand signals to navigate this landscape successfully.

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XRP hits $1.60 after stunning comeback: ‘rare bottom’ signal triggers buzz

  • XRP shows rare bottom signals and strong rebound potential.
  • The key support at $1.44–$1.48 will guide near-term price action.
  • A break above $1.60 with volume needed to sustain the rally.

XRP has grabbed the spotlight after overtaking BNB in market cap ranking following its recent price rebound.

Analysts point to technical signals that suggest XRP may have recently formed a long-term bottom.

These signals include an oversold RSI on the weekly chart and a stretch of negative funding rates that historically appear before significant rebounds.

XRP rebounded after hitting a rare bottom

After a period of sideways trading, XRP surged to a weekly high near $1.60.

This move followed a modest beta-driven pullback alongside Bitcoin, reflecting that broader market trends still influence XRP.

Despite the rally, the cryptocurrency faced technical resistance, with momentum indicators suggesting it had been overbought.

Trading volumes have cooled after the rally, which is typical when an asset approaches a key resistance area.

The current support zone around $1.44–$1.48 has become crucial.

Holding above this area could allow XRP to test $1.60 again and potentially reach new resistance levels beyond that.

Conversely, a breach below this support may see a decline toward $1.34, highlighting the importance of technical positioning.

What is fueling XRP’s rally?

XRP’s recent gains were fueled by multiple factors. First, its short-term correlation with Bitcoin helped it catch a wave as the broader market dipped slightly.

Second, technical patterns are now aligning in a way that traders rarely see, suggesting the bottom may hold.

Third, market inflows from institutional investors remain a key driver, especially in the form of spot XRP ETF activity.

Outflows from these ETFs in recent weeks have restrained buying pressure, but a reversal could reignite momentum.

But despite these positives, risks remain.

Volume remains lower than during the peak of the rally, signaling that conviction is not yet at its highest. Moreover, the current resistance at $1.60 is a significant hurdle.

A breakout above it, supported by rising trading activity, would confirm that the uptrend can continue.

However, caution is warranted, as the cryptocurrency is still navigating critical resistance and depends on continued support from market flows.

Traders should closely watch to see if XRP can hold its gains and build on this rare bottom.

If the support around $1.44-$1.48 remains firm and institutional demand resumes, the path toward higher levels may be within reach.

At the same time, failing to hold this support could quickly undo the recent gains.

For now, XRP sits at a critical juncture, with potential for both continuation and retracement depending on the next wave of market activity.

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Cronos price outlook as Crypto.com expands Korea payments push

  • Cronos (CRO) gains momentum from Crypto.com’s real-world payment adoption.
  • Cronos price rise backed by Bitcoin ETF inflows and 58% volume surge.
  • The key levels to watch in the near term are the support at $0.0772 and the resistance at $0.0809.

Cronos (CRO) has seen renewed attention in recent weeks, fueled by a mix of market-wide momentum and positive developments in the cryptocurrency payments space.

The partnership between Crypto.com and KG Inicis in South Korea has added another layer of optimism for the token.

This collaboration allows tourists to use digital assets for everyday purchases, expanding the practical utility of CRO and other supported cryptocurrencies.

Impact of the Crypto.com, KG Inicis Partnership on CRO

The partnership enables Crypto.com Pay to integrate with KG Inicis’ extensive merchant network across South Korea.

This means that foreign visitors can use cryptocurrencies to pay at a variety of physical stores and online platforms.

For merchants, there is flexibility in receiving payments either in digital assets or immediately in fiat currency.

This real-world use case is significant for CRO.

While much of the token’s past activity has been driven by market speculation, adoption in daily transactions adds tangible utility.

Increased acceptance of CRO for payments could encourage higher trading activity and engagement from a broader user base.

Beyond simple adoption, the partnership reflects a growing trend of cryptocurrency integration in tourism and cross-border spending.

Digital currencies are moving from being primarily investment vehicles to practical tools for everyday use.

For CRO holders, this could translate into a more stable demand floor, particularly as the payment system attracts foreign visitors who are likely to convert local currency into crypto for spending.

The news also reinforces investor sentiment in the short term.

Cronos has a history of following broader market trends, but developments that enhance its ecosystem strengthen the token’s narrative beyond just price correlation with Bitcoin.

Practical use cases can often support prices during periods of market volatility, as traders see potential for both transactional and speculative value.

CRO price analysis

Cronos has climbed to $0.0801, marking a 1.7% increase over 24 hours.

This movement closely mirrored Bitcoin’s 1.42% rise, reflecting a period of strong institutional demand, particularly in Bitcoin ETFs.

Notably, the price increase was accompanied by a 58% surge in trading volume, highlighting genuine buying interest rather than a thin-market spike.

The combination of market momentum and tangible adoption news has created a cautiously positive environment for CRO.

Eyes are on the Bitcoin ETF inflows, as continued institutional interest tends to lift correlated altcoins.

Conversely, negative macro developments or regulatory concerns could trigger pullbacks, underscoring the importance of monitoring broader market conditions.

Cronos price forecast

From a technical standpoint, the near-term outlook for CRO is focused on key support and resistance levels.

Immediate support sits near the 7-day simple moving average at $0.07790.

Crypto.com token price analysis
Cronos price chart | Source: TradingView

Holding above this level would maintain the short-term bullish trend and could allow the token to test the 0.382 Fibonacci resistance level at $0.08297.

A decisive break above $0.08297 would open the path to a recent swing high near $0.088821, suggesting potential upside for traders targeting short-term gains.

On the other hand, a drop below $0.07790 could signal a consolidation phase or minor pullback, particularly if Bitcoin or the broader market reacts negatively to upcoming macro events.

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