Bitcoin Shows Relative Strength Amid Uncertainty – Can BTC Outperform Equities?

Bitcoin is on track to close another week below the $90,000 mark, reinforcing the bearish sentiment that has hovered over the market in recent weeks. After facing a prolonged period of volatility and macro-driven uncertainty, Bitcoin continues to trade in a tight range, struggling to reclaim higher ground. The broader market remains cautious as global tensions escalate, particularly between the United States and China. With trade tariffs intensifying and fears of a global recession growing, investors are rotating away from high-risk assets and looking for stability.

However, not all signals are negative. Crypto analyst Daan shared insights on X, highlighting that Bitcoin is steadily grinding higher when measured relative to equities, particularly in the BTC/SPX chart. This relative strength is noteworthy amid ongoing market turmoil and signals that BTC may be showing early signs of resilience.

While February was a rough month for Bitcoin, largely due to its strong January performance ahead of the political cycle, holding up well against major stock indices is a positive indicator. If this trend continues, it may serve as a foundation for recovery—provided that equities don’t suffer another sharp leg down.

Bitcoin Trades Between Key Levels As Relative Strength Builds

Bitcoin is now trading at a critical level, consolidating between the $81,000 support and the $88,000 resistance zone. After weeks of sharp volatility and bearish pressure, bulls are beginning to regain momentum as BTC holds above essential support levels, signaling potential for stabilization.

While global macroeconomic uncertainty continues to dominate headlines, the market is cautiously optimistic. Financial markets remain fragile, and the crypto sector is not immune. Investors are weighing the risks of prolonged geopolitical conflict and inflationary pressures against the long-term appeal of digital assets like Bitcoin.

Despite this complex backdrop, some analysts remain confident in Bitcoin’s resilience. Daan shared an analysis comparing Bitcoin’s performance to US equities using the BTC/SPX chart. The data shows that Bitcoin is steadily grinding higher relative to traditional markets—a promising sign amid the ongoing financial instability.

Daan notes that while Bitcoin had a rough February, that dip followed a strong January rally ahead of the political inauguration. He adds that if Bitcoin continues to hold this relative strength, it could perform well—so long as equities don’t experience another major leg down. As the consolidation phase matures, a breakout in either direction could define the next stage of the cycle.

Technical Details: Holding Above Key Support

Bitcoin is trading at $85,200 after maintaining strength above the 4-hour 200-day moving average (MA) and exponential moving average (EMA), both of which sit around the $84,000 level. This technical support has provided a solid floor over recent sessions, allowing bulls to defend against deeper pullbacks. However, the broader trend remains uncertain, and momentum is beginning to stall just below major resistance.

For bulls to confirm a sustained recovery, BTC must reclaim the $90,000 level in the coming days. A breakout above that mark would signal a fresh high and shift the structure toward a more bullish trend. Currently, the $88,500 zone stands as a critical hurdle and needs to be cleared convincingly to open the path higher.

On the flip side, if Bitcoin fails to break above $88,500 soon, bearish pressure may return. A failure to build momentum above this threshold could trigger a renewed selloff, potentially dragging the price back below the $81,000 support level. This would invalidate the short-term recovery narrative and reinforce fears of a deeper correction. For now, the market remains range-bound, with both sides waiting for a decisive move to define direction.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView