Bitcoin Struggles Below $80,000, Key Support at $74,000-$75,000
Quick Look
- Bitcoin fell below $80,000, with analysts watching the $74,000-$75,000 range as crucial support.
- A bearish signal emerged as investors who bought BTC around $110,851 move coins to exchanges, indicating potential major losses and selling pressure.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Bitcoin has lost its hold on the $80,000 level and is approaching a critical support range between $74,000 and $75,000, which has historically acted as a key support over the last two years. Analysts are concerned about the implications of a potential break below this level.
Bitcoin (BTC) lost its hold on the $80,000 level over the weekend, and data suggest that the cryptocurrency needs to trade above the $74,000-$75,000 range, as it has repeatedly served as key support over the last two years.
Crypto analyst Ardi said the next retest of the $74,000-$75,000 range could become the most important support test of the current bear market.
The analyst pointed to the role that the price range played during the last two years. In 2024, Bitcoin struggled to break above the range during a seven-month-long consolidation. In Q1 2025, the same area held as support before BTC rallied toward its cycle highs at $126,000.
BTC/USD, one-day chart analysis by Ardi. Source: X
Bitcoin is now approaching this level after its 5.78% weekly correction to $77,900. Ardi said the zone carries added weight because several major price pivots formed at $74,000-$75,000 across multiple time frames.
Crypto trader Alex Wacy focused on the $70,000 level. Wacy said holding that area could support a move back toward $85,000-$90,000. Losing it could open the door to a larger decline toward the $50,000-$60,000 range.
Related: BTC price ‘bull trap’ at $76.5K? Five things to know in Bitcoin this week
Bitcoin market signal weakens again
Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr. said the Bitcoin bull-bear structure index turned bearish again after BTC failed to stay above $82,000 earlier this month.
It tracks six indicators linked to exchange-traded fund (ETF) demand, trader activity, exchange flows, and short-term price momentum. A positive reading indicates buyers are in control, while a negative reading points to growing seller pressure.
Bitcoin bull-bear structure index. Source: CryptoQuant
The bullish signal lasted less than three trading days. On May 6, the index briefly turned positive as Bitcoin climbed near $82,000. By May 17, the reading had dropped to -23.49, indicating that sellers quickly regained control.
Meanwhile, CryptoQuant data showed more Bitcoin moving onto exchanges from investors who bought BTC six to 12 months ago. The average buying price was around $110,851, meaning many are now sitting on large unrealized losses after the latest drop.
The share of older coins moving to exchanges also surged to 10.54%, far above its usual level below 1%, with market analyst Easy On Chain stating,
“Historically, this reflects investors locking in major losses and exiting the market, creating severe spot-market selling pressure.”
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Bitcoin could see a larger decline toward the $50,000-$60,000 range if it loses the $70,000 level.
Possible · Short term
Holding the $70,000 area could support a move back toward $85,000-$90,000.
Possible · Short term
Open Questions
- Will Bitcoin hold the $74,000-$75,000 support level?
- What will be the extent of the decline if the support breaks?
- How will ETF demand and trader activity evolve in the coming days?
- What is the average buying price of the older coins moving to exchanges?
