BTC, XRP, ETH, SOL News: Bitcoin in Counter-Trend Channel

This is a technical analysis post by CoinDesk analyst and Chartered Market Technician Omkar Godbole.

Bitcoin continues to trade within a counter-trend rising channel on the hourly chart that sits inside a larger descending trend, leaving price action finely poised.

A clean break above $96,500 would be technically bullish, as this level marks the confluence of the channel top and the broader bearish trendline, and would argue for a revival of the medium-term uptrend. The weekly chart supports this scenario, with the repeated defense of the 100-week simple moving average, signaling downside exhaustion and growing risk of a bullish reversal.

BTC's hourly and weekly charts in candlestick format. (CoinDesk)

BTC’s hourly and weekly charts. (CoinDesk)

However, the structure also leaves room for renewed weakness if buyers fail to force confirmation.

A downside break from the hourly counter-trend channel would validate the downtrend line and open the way for another test of the $80,000 area, where the market previously found support.

ETH

Ether’s technical structure mirrors BTC’s, trading within a counter-trend rising channel on the hourly chart amid a broader descending trend. A decisive break above $3,200, the channel resistance, would confirm bullish revival, exposing $3,620, the Nov. 10 lower high resistance.

ETH's hourly chart in candlestick format. (TradingView)

ETH’s hourly chart. (TradingView)

Downside risks persist if sellers invalidate the counter-trend channel. A break below would reinforce the larger downtrend, opening recent lows near $2,630 as initial support ahead of deeper correction.

Overall, $3,200 remains the pivotal level to watch.

XRP

Payments-focused XRP is testing the critical $2 support line once again, which has repeatedly signaled seller exhaustion this year through long-tailed weekly candles. The momentum looks bearish as evidenced by the sharply declining 5- and 10-week SMAs confirm bearish momentum.

XRP's weekly chart in candlestick format. (TradingView)

XRP’s weekly chart. (TradingView)

A breakdown below this level risks triggering holder capitulation, exposing $1.63, the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the 2024-2025 rally, as next major support.

Conversely, consecutive daily closes above $2.30 would invalidate the bearish lower highs pattern and signal bullish revival. $2 remains the key pivot in this symmetrical setup.

SOL

Solana continues exhibiting range-bound indecision, trading within a sideways channel defined by $145 upper resistance and $120 lower support, with current levels near $134.

The lack of directional momentum persists, leaving the next significant move contingent on a clear breach of this consolidation range.​ Bullish resolution of the range would create room for a move to $160 and higher via measured move analysis. A downside break would extend the broader downtrend.

SOL's hourly chart in candlestick format. (TradingView)

SOL’s hourly chart. (TradingView)

Source: https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/12/08/here-s-how-bitcoin-xrp-ether-and-solana-may-trade-today