Bitcoin (BTC) Price Action Confirms Cup-and-handle Pattern, New Analysis Suggests a Breakout Toward $130,000

Bitcoin's price action has been trapped in a tight range between $84,000 and $80000 in recent days, with bulls struggling to push upwards.

The crypto market has been showing signs of recovery in recent times, with Bitcoin (BTC) attempting to stay afloat above the $82,000 support level. However, hopes of a quick return above the $90,000 mark are fading as the market sentiment remains largely pessimistic.

As reported by Benzinga previously, Bitcoin's price action has been closely watched by traders and analysts. In the past few days, the world's leading cryptocurrency has been trading in a tight range between $84,000 and $82,000, with bulls struggling to gain momentum for a decisive move above the $84,000 resistance.

This pattern has generated interest in a potential technical setup that could be unfolding. A crypto analyst, known as "Melli" on the TradingView platform, has pointed out that Bitcoin's price movements are currently conforming to the classic cup-and-handle pattern.

Cup And Handle Support Could Cause A Major Bitcoin Rally

The cup-and-handle pattern is a bullish reversal pattern that typically occurs at the end of a bear market or a major correction. The pattern is characterized by a "U"-shaped cup that forms as the price declines to a low point, levels off, and then rises again. The handle is a brief consolidation pattern that occurs after the cup has been completed.

In the case of Bitcoin, the cup portion of the pattern began in early 2021, when the cryptocurrency hit a low of around $38,000. From there, Bitcoin staged a gradual recovery, breaking above the neckline of the pattern in the latter half of 2024. This breakout started the handle formation, which saw Bitcoin consolidate in a tight range between $70,000 and $80,000.

By November 2024, Bitcoin completed the handle phase of the pattern and went on an impressive rally that ultimately resulted in a new all-time high of $108,786 in January 2025. However, the cryptocurrency faced strong selling pressure at this level, and the price pulled back sharply, correcting by 24% from the all-time high.

This correction saw the Bitcoin price returning to the neckine resistance of the cup-and-handle formation, which is expected to provide support for the price correction and set the stage for another leg up.

According to Elliott wave analysis and projections, the price target for Bitcoin is at $139,000. This aligns perfectly with the Fibonacci projection of the 2021 low to the 2025 high.

Elliott Wave Analysis Suggests A Surge Toward $130,000

According to the technical framework of Elliott Waves, Bitcoin is currently in a larger fifth impulse wave formation. However, this fifth wave, which is generally bullish, has been punctuated by corrective ABC sub-waves, leading Bitcoin to retest the support of the cup-and-handle formation.

Now that the support has been met, Bitcoin is in a position to bounce and continue the formation of its fifth impulse wave. This is expected to bring it to the price target above $130,000.

The alignment of the cup-and-handle formation with Elliott wave projections strengthens the case for a major breakout in the coming months. However, Bitcoin's fundamentals reflect uncertainty in the short term. There is currently a lack of bullish momentum needed to rechallenge the $90,000 mark, which would be the first step needed to reach $130,000.

Moreover, steady institutional outflows from Spot Bitcoin ETFs have further increased selling pressure, limiting Bitcoin's ability to regain strength in the short term. Nevertheless, the technical setup and Elliott wave projections suggest that a significant rally could be on the horizon.