- Litecoin price is up 30% this month
- The resistance formed at $90 could induce a sell-off, targeting support levels as low as $80
- A breach of the $93 swing high, however, would invalidate the bearish thesis and raise the possibility of a move up to $100.
- Litecoin investors, however, should be wary of smart-money investors front-running the market higher.
Litecoin price has been rising in stair-step fashion throughout the winter, suggesting a well-established uptrend will continue higher. Resistance near the current price levels, however, should not be underestimated. Even if bulls continue pushing higher, there is a risk of institutional investors front-running Litecoin price higher.
Litecoin price in question
Litecoin price is witnessing an uptick in volatility, providing several profitable trading opportunities throughout January. Since the start of the new year, Litecoin price has risen 30%. On January 14, Litecoin price tagged $90 for the first time Since May of 2022. This first encounter then forged a week-long consolidation in the $80 zone.
On January 20 and 23, the bulls prompted their second attempt, but the ascent was short-lived. The bulls formed a local high of $92 before pulling back and consolidating once again below the psychological $90 level. The third attempt was no different: a new high at $93 though well-established, failed to sustain the uptrend in LTC price once again.
Litecoin price currently auctions at $87.16. The turbulence witnessed over the last few weeks near the $90 zone could be viewed as a waning trend signal. While many investors are anticipating Litecoin to reconquer the $100 level, the local rejections near $90 suggest profit-taking is already occurring underneath the hood.
The Relative Strength Index, an indicator used to gauge the underlying strength of the trend, compounds the bearish notion. The indicator continues to decouple and detrend away from Litecoin’s rising price. The RSI continued to print lower highs during Litecoin’s rally from $90 to $93 between January 14 -January 23 – a bearish sign
Considering these factors, investors aiming for $100 may get front-runned by smart money market players. Trader’s solely focus on price forming new highs may be unaware of the underlying resistance forming near the current price levels. If the market is genuinely headed south, a retracement to the $80 zone, tagging the January 19 liquidity level at $83 in the process, would be a high-probability trade setup.
LTC/USD 1-Day Chart
For traders looking to enter the market, invalidation of the bearish thesis could arise from a break above the $93 swing high. A barrier breach would likely induce the anticipated run up to $100, constituting a 15% increase, if the bulls were to succeed.