CAKE Tests Critical Support at $2.84 as DeFi Tokens Retreat Amid Bitcoin Weakness



Lawrence Jengar
Oct 19, 2025 08:37

PancakeSwap (CAKE) trades at $2.84, down 3.3% in 24h, testing its 50-day moving average as broader crypto markets decline following Bitcoin’s retreat from recent highs.



CAKE Tests Critical Support at $2.84 as DeFi Tokens Retreat Amid Bitcoin Weakness

Quick Take

• CAKE trading at $2.84 (down 3.3% in 24h)
• Testing 50-day moving average support amid broader DeFi sector weakness
• Trading range compressed between $2.83-$2.94 with declining volume
• Following Bitcoin’s downward trajectory as correlation remains elevated

Market Events Driving PancakeSwap Price Movement

No significant news events have emerged in the past 48 hours to drive CAKE price action, leaving the token to trade purely on technical factors and broader market sentiment. The current CAKE price decline reflects the broader cryptocurrency market weakness as Bitcoin struggles to maintain momentum above key resistance levels.

Trading on technical factors in the absence of major catalysts, PancakeSwap has followed the general risk-off sentiment across decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens. The lack of specific fundamental drivers has amplified the technical nature of current price movements, with CAKE reacting primarily to support and resistance levels rather than project-specific developments.

Volume on Binance spot has reached $18.97 million over the past 24 hours, representing moderate institutional interest as traders position around the critical 50-day moving average test at $2.84.

CAKE Technical Analysis: Neutral Consolidation Phase

Price Action Context

CAKE price currently sits directly on its 50-day moving average at $2.84, creating a critical inflection point for near-term direction. The token trades well below shorter-term moving averages, with the 7-day SMA at $3.09 and 20-day SMA at $3.25 acting as immediate resistance levels. However, CAKE maintains a position above its 200-day moving average at $2.48, suggesting the longer-term bullish structure remains intact.

The current trading range between $2.83 and $2.94 represents a 3.8% spread, indicating compressed volatility as measured by the daily ATR of $0.45. This consolidation phase follows Bitcoin’s recent weakness, with CAKE demonstrating high correlation to the broader cryptocurrency market sentiment.

Key Technical Indicators

The RSI reading of 46.27 places CAKE in neutral territory, suggesting neither oversold nor overbought conditions. This provides flexibility for movement in either direction based on broader market catalysts. The MACD histogram at -0.0961 shows bearish momentum, though the indicator remains close to neutral levels.

PancakeSwap technical analysis reveals the token trading at a Bollinger Bands %B position of 0.2962, indicating CAKE sits in the lower portion of its recent trading range. The Stochastic oscillator at 43.00/%43.43 confirms the neutral momentum reading, with no clear directional bias from momentum indicators.

Critical Price Levels for PancakeSwap Traders

Immediate Levels (24-48 hours)

• Resistance: $3.09 (7-day moving average and recent swing high)
• Support: $2.48 (200-day moving average and psychological level)

Breakout/Breakdown Scenarios

A break below the current 50-day moving average support at $2.84 could trigger selling toward the 200-day moving average at $2.48, representing a potential 15% decline. Volume would need to increase significantly to confirm any breakdown below current support levels.

Conversely, a reclaim of the $3.09 level would target the 20-day moving average at $3.25, offering an upside potential of approximately 14% from current levels. The key resistance zone between $3.25-$3.50 would need to be cleared for any sustained bullish momentum.

CAKE Correlation Analysis

Bitcoin’s recent weakness has directly impacted CAKE price action, with the token following the broader cryptocurrency market’s risk-off sentiment. The correlation remains elevated as institutional investors treat DeFi tokens as high-beta plays on overall crypto market direction.

Traditional markets have shown mixed signals, with no clear directional influence on cryptocurrency prices in the current session. The absence of significant macroeconomic catalysts has left crypto markets to trade on their own technical and sentiment-driven factors.

Sector peers in the DeFi space have similarly struggled, with CAKE’s performance roughly in line with other automated market maker (AMM) protocols during the current consolidation phase.

Trading Outlook: PancakeSwap Near-Term Prospects

Bullish Case

A successful defense of the 50-day moving average at $2.84, combined with Bitcoin stabilization above $67,000, could trigger a relief rally toward $3.25. Increased trading volume above $25 million would support any upward movement and suggest institutional accumulation at current levels.

Bearish Case

Failure to hold current support levels amid continued Bitcoin weakness could see CAKE price decline toward the 200-day moving average at $2.48. A break below this critical long-term support would signal a potential trend change and target the 52-week low area near $1.51.

Risk Management

Traders should consider stop-losses below $2.75 for long positions, representing a 3% risk from current levels. Given the current ATR of $0.45, position sizing should account for potential daily moves of up to 15% in either direction during volatile market conditions.

Image source: Shutterstock


Source: https://blockchain.news/news/20251019-cake-tests-critical-support-at-284-as-defi-tokens-retreat