Bitcoin traded at $103,895 on May 18, 2025, with a total market capitalization of $2.064 trillion. The 24-hour trading volume
Bitcoin (BTC) traded at $103,895 on May 18, with a total market capitalization of $2.064 trillion. The 24-hour trading volume reached $19.865 billion, with an intraday range between $102,771 and $104,002, reflecting a narrow band of consolidation near historic highs.
Bitcoin price analysis: bull verdict
From a short-term perspective, as visible on the 1-hour chart, bitcoin is gradually trending upward, forming higher lows and highs since May 16. The price is encountering resistance at $104,094 and support at $102,668. Small-bodied candlesticks close to the upper range suggest market indecision. A breakout above $104,100 on high volume may be a valid long entry point. However, failure to break this threshold and a drop below $103,000 could signal a short-term bearish reversal. Volume is tapering in this window, which might indicate a slowdown or a shift toward consolidation.
Zooming out to the 4-hour chart, bitcoin is in a period of consolidation, moving laterally between $100,764 and $104,997. Both the upper and lower boundaries have seen failed breakouts, highlighting a tightly coiled market. No clear directional dominance is evident in trading volume, and the compressed volatility supports a wait-and-watch approach. If the price breaks and sustains above the $105,000 level on strong buying volume, bullish continuation becomes more likely. Conversely, a breach below $102,500 could invite a short-term decline toward $100,000.
On the daily timeframe, bitcoin remains in a bullish trend, rallying from April lows near $83,000 to a peak of $105,706. Despite this strong advance, the current price action shows healthy sideways movement, typically seen near cycle tops. The volume profile indicates a decline in recent activity, which might precede a fresh breakout or signal buyer fatigue. A close above $105,706 with substantial volume would affirm bullish strength, while a fall below $102,000 on increasing volume might trigger a deeper retracement toward the $98,000 to $100,000 range.
Relative strength index is at 68
The relative strength index is at 68, the Stochastic oscillator at 82, and the commodity channel index at 67—all neutral. Similarly, the average directional index and the Awesome oscillator remain neutral. However, the momentum indicator and the MACD are flashing sell signals, suggesting short-term vulnerability within a broader bullish structure.
The major exponential moving averages and simple moving averages (10, 20, 30, 50, 100, and 200 periods) are in buy territory. For instance, the 10-period exponential moving average is at $102,699, and the 200-period simple moving average is at $92,624, both significantly lower than the current prices. This alignment supports a continuation bias, provided key resistance levels are cleared with conviction.
