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Cryptocurrencies attempted to regain recent losses Tuesday, with the No. 1 digital currency, bitcoin, drifting back toward $7,000, a level serving as stiff resistance of late.
For the most part, bitcoin BTCUSD, +0.10% has been trading in the $6,500 to $7,500 range since the beginning of April, with each gravitation to the bottom or top of the range met with opposition. A break lower could open up a test of the Feb. 6 low, at $5,947.40.
A single bitcoin last changed hands at $6,837.81 Tuesday afternoon, up 0.9%.
For the bulls who are pinning hopes on the notion that tax payments are keeping the price of bitcoin down, D-day for filing is less than a week away.
Read: Can falling bitcoin prices really be blamed on the taxman?
Technical outlook remains mixed
The longer bitcoin holds in the range, the more confusing it is becoming for technical traders.
“Yesterday’s breakdown was a little disappointing given bitcoin has been trying to bottom,” said Rob Sluymer, technical strategist at Fundstrat.
“If it is to bottom it needs to get back above the $7,170 level.”
However, Sluymer said that there is little conviction from a technical standpoint. For those hoping it is bottoming out, Sluymer pointed out the long-term trend line off the September 2017 high, joining the Nov. 12 and Feb. 6 lows, which puts in a $6,000 to $6,500 range as the base.
Chinese government backs blockchain project
The blockchain technology is getting a boost in China with the announcement of the Xiong’An Global Blockchain Innovation Fund. The fund has received 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion), which is 30% backed by the local government.
The move continues a broader trend of governments and regulators warming to the blockchain technology while remaining cautious on the cryptocurrency and token market.
Xu Xiaoping, who co-founded venture capital fund ZhenFund, and has invested in blockchain projects, will be the lead adviser for the fund.
Futures and altcoins
Other digital coins have moved higher Friday as traders look to regain some recent losses. Ether is up 3.1% at $409.56, Bitcoin cash is up 2.5% at $650.99, Litecoin is up 0.1% at $114.93 and Ripple’s XRP is at 49 cents.
Futures markets closed higher Tuesday. The Cboe’s April contract XBTJ8, +3.09% closed up 2.6% at $6,805 and the CME Group Inc. April contract BTCJ8, +2.40% finished the day at $6,840, up 2.5%.
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