Here’s Why the Next 36 Hours are Decisive for Bitcoin

The market braces for volatility over the next 36 hours, as Bitcoin sits at a make-or-break point on both the technical and economic fronts.

Bitcoin is once again at a crossroads. Over the next day and a half, the release of important economic data could influence the price of the firstborn cryptocurrency. 

Potential Impact of Upcoming CPI Data

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, expected tomorrow, will reveal important information about inflation trends, with multiple analysts predicting the potential for market volatility based on the results.

Current forecasts suggest headline inflation is likely to decrease year-over-year to 2.6%, a slight dip from 2.9% in the previous month. 

Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes the more volatile food and energy prices, is expected to hold steady at 3.2%. On a month-over-month basis, both headline and core CPI are anticipated to increase by 0.2%. 

If the data aligns with these estimates, it may affirm current market expectations of a modest 25 basis point interest rate cut in the next Federal Reserve meeting. 

However, should the inflation numbers exceed predictions, concerns about stagflation may arise, especially given the softer economic indicators we’ve seen recently. An unexpectedly high CPI could prompt fears that inflation will remain stubborn, sparking worries about the Fed needing to take further action.

On the other hand, a downside surprise in the inflation data could indicate that the growth risks are becoming more prominent. 

In such a scenario, markets might interpret the Fed as being more likely to step in and support the economy sooner, potentially pushing risk assets like Bitcoin higher. 

Nonetheless, any significant deviation from expectations could trigger a “risk-off” sentiment, with stronger inflation figures likely to be a more potent driver of downward pressure on markets.

Key Technical Factors for Bitcoin

Interestingly, Bitcoin’s technical indicators suggest that the cryptocurrency is at a pivotal moment. Currently, Bitcoin is hovering around $56,940, right at a critical point on the daily chart, and the next move could determine the trend for the near future.

On the DMI, the +DI (blue line) recently surged but is now declining and stands at 18.75. The -DI (orange line) has been falling but remains higher at 25.53. The ADX (red line), which measures the strength of a trend, is currently at 24.38 and is slowly descending.

These signals indicate that while there may still be a bit more downside pressure, the strength of this current downtrend is weakening. However, with the ADX trending lower, it indicates a lack of a strong directional push at the moment. 

Bitcoin Support and Resistance Levels

Also, on the daily chart, Bitcoin sits just above a rising support trendline, which has been providing a buffer for the price since May. This upward-sloping line has been crucial in maintaining a bullish structure, even through periods of high volatility. 

If Bitcoin breaks below this line, it could trigger a larger sell-off, potentially dragging the price down to test lower Fibonacci pivot points.

In such a scenario, the immediate support is at S1 ($51,513.89), which aligns closely with the trendline. If Bitcoin holds above this level, it could pave the way for a rebound, with potential resistance at R1 ($64,241.96) and R2 ($68,173.67). 

However, a break below this support could see Bitcoin falling further toward S2 ($47,582.18) and possibly even as low as S3 ($41,218.14).

The upper resistance level at R3 ($74,537.70) may seem distant, but in the case of an unexpected bullish surge—perhaps triggered by favorable CPI data or a rate cut announcement—it’s not entirely out of reach.