Experts Explain Bitcoin’s Sideways Movement Below $87,500

bitcoin

The potential growth of the leading cryptocurrency is being constrained by market manipulation from one or more major players, according to analysts at Material Indicators.

“If you’re wondering why Bitcoin hasn’t been able to break above $87,500, it’s due to suppression by a spoofing whale,” they wrote.

This type of price manipulation involves placing large limit buy or sell orders that the trader does not intend to execute. The orders are canceled once the desired price movement is achieved.

In discussions, Material Indicators experts agreed that the months-long support level at $76,000 was not strong enough for a major rebound. Additionally, momentum from the recent Federal Reserve meeting was insufficient to trigger a strong rally.

Trader Daan Crypto Trades believes that Bitcoin is consolidating, and bulls need to hold prices around $84,000-$85,000 to maintain momentum.

“Otherwise, you risk falling into low-liquidity clusters that could lead to a full retracement since the price remains unstable,” he warned.

Experts from CryptoQuant pointed out that the Bitcoin Bull Score index has hit a two-year low at 20. Historically, strong rallies have only occurred when this metric exceeded 60.

“Prolonged periods of low scores are usually associated with bear markets,” they noted.

Ki Young Ju, founder and CEO of CryptoQuant, has already declared that Bitcoin’s bullish phase is over. He suggested that the price will decline or remain in a sideways trend over the next six to twelve months.

YouTube analyst Crypto Rover, however, argued that Bitcoin has completed its consolidation phase ahead of further growth. However, he warned that the market is currently in a period of manipulation, which investors should avoid falling for.

Previously, Matrixport suggested that Bitcoin’s correction could last until March or April, followed by an attempt to rally back to previous highs. Several Wall Street analysts have also predicted price growth after March.

Ethereum Shows a Potential Pump Signal

Over the past 48 hours, 360,000 ETH has been withdrawn from exchanges, noted technical analyst Ali Martinez.

According to Santiment, the available supply of Ethereum on trading platforms has dropped to 8.97 million ETH—the lowest level since November 2015.

Trader Crypto General stated that whales are accumulating ETH “cheaply” in cold wallets ahead of a potential surge to $6,000.

“It’s only a matter of time before a major supply shock occurs,” he emphasized.

Investor NaBer set an even higher target of $8,000–$10,000, claiming that once the “largest ETH accumulation” ends, the cryptocurrency will “instantly” reach these levels.

However, Daan Crypto Trades offered a more pessimistic outlook, pointing out that the ETH/BTC ratio is at levels not seen since late 2020.

“It has been a brutal downtrend, and I don’t think it will ever come close to its previous highs,” he stressed.

A reversal, in any case, will only be local, according to the expert.

“Either Ethereum rises, marking a generational bottom, or it’s all over,” commented crypto podcaster Scott Melker on the ETH/BTC chart.

Notably, analysts at Standard Chartered have revised their 2025 Ethereum price forecast downward from $10,000 to $4,000.