Bitcoin Price Pulled Back Within an Uptrend
Bitcoin (BTC) briefly pushed above recent highs and then retreated. The Bitcoin price was around $121,997 at the time of writing, up 0.19% in 24 hours and 2.81% over the past week.
Analysts at BitBull Research said price slipped under short‑term support near $125,000 earlier in the week. They added that a retest near $118,000 remained possible before a fresh advance.
Chart watchers said the structure still favored buyers. The sequence of higher highs and higher lows held on the daily trend.
Historical comparison supported that stance. During prior post‑halving cycles, Bitcoin often recorded 20% to 30% pullbacks. Those pauses appeared before new legs higher as liquidity returned.
This backdrop framed the next key level. A clean break above $130,000 would confirm momentum. Traders often used round numbers to gauge conviction during expansions.
Analysts also pointed to context. Post‑halving supply dynamics tightened issuance. That reduction often amplified demand signals when inflows accelerated.
Several desks tracked breadth indicators for confirmation. They looked for rising spot volumes and shrinking exchange balances to validate trend continuation.
Whales Adds BTC as ETF Demand Persists
On‑chain analysts highlighted renewed large‑holder activity. Data tied to Arkham Intelligence flagged a whale purchase near 650 BTC on Binance, then a move to self‑custody.
Observers said exchange withdrawals often aligned with longer holding horizons. Cold storage flows suggested reduced immediate sell pressure.
Analyst Max Crypto said whales “bought the dip,” citing clustered withdrawals. He noted that similar clusters previously coincided with advancing markets during strong cycles.
Fund flow trackers reported steady institutional interest. US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted around $500 Million in net weekly inflows. BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC led that demand.
Desks said continued allocations mattered more than daily prints. Persistent subscriptions signaled a maturing buyer base with defined mandates.
Market structure also played a role. When ETFs absorbed supply while exchange balances fell, available float tightened. That combination historically supported upside follow‑through in trending markets.
Technical momentum readings started to stabilize. Several traders watched the Relative Strength Index.
RSI measures price momentum; readings near 30 often suggest oversold conditions while levels near 70 point to overbought zones. Daily readings drifted toward neutral after the pullback.
Some analysts framed the recent dip as a Wyckoff‑style spring. That pattern describes a brief shakeout below support, followed by recovery and expansion.
They said the reaction during the following sessions would confirm or refute that view.
What Could Drive Bitcoin Price Next
Focus shifted to clear levels and observable flows. The $118,000 area still served as nearby support. The $130,000 zone acted as resistance that, if reclaimed on strong volume, could open range extension.
Analysts said several objective signals could validate a higher push. First, a decisive close above $130,000 on rising spot volumes would confirm strength.
Second, continued ETF subscriptions would signal durable demand. Third, sustained net exchange outflows would reinforce supply reduction.
Macro and micro drivers intersect here. A steady policy backdrop and risk appetite helped digital assets in 2025. Meanwhile, regulated vehicles channeled institutional allocations into the asset.
Volatility remained part of the process. Prior cycles showed fast swings around key thresholds. Desks said discipline around levels, volumes, and on‑chain signals helped assess trend quality.
Derivative metrics served as secondary checks. Rising open interest without overheated funding often supported constructive moves. If funding spiked, traders watched for squeezes or mean reversion.
For now, the roadmap stayed simple. Hold support, reclaim resistance, and track flows. If whales kept withdrawing BTC and ETFs kept adding shares, momentum could rebuild.
A confirmed break above $130,000 would validate the next stage of the trend. Failure there would keep the range intact between support and resistance until the market found fresh impulse.
The broader post‑halving context still mattered. Reduced issuance did not guarantee higher prices, but it tightened the balance when demand improved. That backdrop often shaped the magnitude of expansions once they started.
In sum, the path hinged on a few measurable inputs already in view. Price acceptance above $130,000, persistent ETF inflows, and ongoing exchange outflows would strengthen the bullish case.
A loss of $118,000 on heavy volume would delay it and extend consolidation. The tape would decide which scenario prevailed.
