Bitcoin price is attempting an upside break above $16,800. BTC could gain bullish momentum if it clears the $16,800 and $17,000 levels.

• Bitcoin is still trading in a major range below the $16,800 and $17,000 resistance levels.
• The price is trading above $16,600 and the 100 hourly simple moving average.
• There is a key bullish trend line forming with support near $16,620 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
• The pair could gain bullish momentum if it settles above the $16,800 resistance.

Bitcoin Price Eyes Upside Break

Bitcoin price formed a base above the $16,350 support zone. BTC started a slow increase and was able to clear the $16,650 resistance zone. The price even spiked towards the $16,800 resistance zone.

However, there was no upside break above $16,800. A high was formed near $16,770 and the price started a downside correction. There was a drop below the $16,700 level, but the bulls are active above the $16,600 level.

Bitcoin price is now trading above $16,600 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. There is also a key bullish trend line forming with support near $16,620 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. On the upside, an immediate resistance is near the $16,685 level.

The 50% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $16,770 swing high to $16,599 low is also near the $16,685 level. The first major resistance is near the $16,700 zone.

Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com

The 61.8% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $16,770 swing high to $16,599 low is also near the $16,700 level. The next major resistance is near the $16,800 level. The main barrier is still near the $17,000 level. A clear close above the $17,000 resistance might start a fresh increase in the near term.

Fresh Drop in BTC?

If bitcoin price fails to surpass the $16,800 resistance, it could start another decline. An immediate support on the downside is near the $16,620 level and the trend line.

The next major support is near the $16,500 level. A clear move below the $16,500 support might send the price towards the $16,350 level. Any more losses might send the price towards $16,000.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $16,500, followed by $16,350.

Major Resistance Levels – $16,700, $16,800 and $17,000.