Crypto Today: Bitcoin renews bid for $118,000, Ethereum and XRP show recovery signs 

• Bitcoin rises above $112,500, reflecting easing selling pressure among long-term holders.
• Ethereum rebounds from ascending trendline support, targeting record highs toward $5,000.
• XRP extends sideways trading between the 50-day EMA and the 100-day EMA amid cooling Open Interest.

Cryptocurrency prices are showing signs of recovery on Friday, led by Bitcoin (BTC), which has reclaimed support above $112,000. Altcoins, including Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP), are edging higher, reflecting easing selling pressure. 

Data spotlight: Bitcoin rebounds amid easing selling pressure 

Bitcoin, having reached its record high of $124,474, has since encountered intense volatility, triggered by macroeconomic uncertainty and profit-taking, especially from long-term holders. The risk-off sentiment spread to the derivatives market, which saw significant cooling. Bitcoin’s Open Interest (OI) averages at $79.21 billion at the time of writing after peaking at $88 billion on July 15.

Bitcoin Open Interest | Source: CoinGlass

The current uptick in price mirrors easing selling pressure, especially among long-term holders. CryptoQuant highlights noticeable flows from dormant Bitcoin wallets that characterised the selling pressure over the past few weeks.

“This cycle has once again confirmed that long-term holders, or even dormant BTC, continue to represent a powerful selling pressure, still capable of shaking the market,”  Darkfost, an analyst, highlighted on the CryptoQuant insights page.

According to the Value Days Destroyed (VDD) chart below, which accounts for the holding time of BTC before it is moved, long-term holder selling activities have slowed, setting the stage for a sustainable rebound.

After the VDD rose to a significant level of 2.4, which is considered a critical threshold, it began to decline and is currently approaching levels similar to those in previous corrections.

“If this selling pressure keeps easing, it will certainly provide relief to the market and may allow for a renewed move higher, provided demand steps in,” the analyst added. 

Bitcoin VDD chart | Source: CryptoQuant

Chart of the day: Bitcoin bulls regain control 

Bitcoin price edges higher on Friday following a brief correction below $110,000 the previous day. The 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $110,765 provides immediate resistance. However, price action is currently capped below the 50-day EMA at $113,236.

Based on the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator on the daily chart, risk-on sentiment is gradually returning, buoyed by a buy signal confirmed earlier in the day. If demand steadies, the path of least resistance would remain upward, increasing the chances of Bitcoin price rising to close the gap toward the $118,000 round-number demand zone.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 49 on the same chart backs the bullish outlook, reflecting increasing buying pressure. A sustained breakout above the midline, along with the subsequent movement toward overbought territory, implies a strong bullish grip.

BTC/USDT daily chart

Still, traders must exercise caution ahead of the United States (US) Federal Reserve (Fed) September interest rate decision. As key economic data is released over the next week, it will become clearer what the Fed’s monetary policy direction is. In the event of a reversal below the 100-day EMA support at $110,765, risk-off sentiment could drive BTC below the support at around $107,255, which was tested on Monday and the 200-day EMA at $104,392.

Altcoins update: Ethereum, XRP edge higher 

Ethereum price holds above $4,400 at the time of writing, following a rebound from an ascending trendline on the daily chart. The RSI, currently at 52, supports the short-term bullish outlook. Higher RSI readings, approaching overbought territory, indicate growing demand from retail investors.

Key areas of interest for traders include ETH’s record high of $4,956 reached on August 24 and the psychological $5,000 level. Still, the 50-day EMA at $4,053 and the 100-day EMA at $3,580 could provide support in the event of aggressive selling.

ETH/USDT daily chart

As for XRP, its current position between the 100-day EMA support at $2.77 and the 50-day EMA resistance at $2.91 points to a prolonged consolidation period ahead of the next breakout. A sell signal from the MACD indicator since July 25 hints at the downtrend continuing toward the 200-day EMA support at $2.52. 

Traders should look out for a potential buy signal, which will manifest with the blue MACD line crossing above the red signal line. Stability in the broader crypto market and a favorable Fed monetary policy could boost risk-on sentiment, paving the way for a breakout above the $3.00 level and later the all-time high of $3.66.

XRP/USDT daily chart

The RSI uptrend at 45 reflects growing demand for XRP. If the RSI rises above the midline, buying pressure will surge, increasing the chances of XRP reclaiming the $3.00 support level in the short term.