Bitcoin Tests $97K Support with Short-Term Pullback Expected

Bitcoin is struggling to hold support at $97,000, which is crucial for a potential rise to $100K. Short-term pullback is expected as liquidity is set to be grabbed

Happy Monday,

The Greed and Fear Index is finally out of the Extreme Fear Zone and into Fear. Will we see this inch back down as the Trump trade war takes center stage? Bitcoin defended $95K after dipping below for the first time in a week, bouncing back to $98K but struggling to break higher. Litecoin leads the market with a 10.5% surge to $120, while BNB retraces and SUI climbs. The total crypto market cap holds at $3.3T, with BTC dominance at 58.5%.

Bitcoin testing $97K support with short-term pullback expected

Solana validator revenue skyrockets to $40M every two days

SEC acknowledges Solana and Litecoin ETF applications post-Gensler

Berachain generates $1.6B pre-launch liquidity amid skepticism

TapSwap switches to BNB Chain for February 14 token launch

ETHDenver, Paris Blockchain Week, and Bitcoin 2025 conferences announced

Henrik Zeberg predicts BTC to $140K, altcoin season incoming

Ethereum struggles at $2,530 support with bearish indicators

Bitcoin-gold ratio hits lowest level since November

Solana's TVL surges 486% YoY to $8.6B in Q4 2024

Henrik Zeberg sees no signs of a crypto bull market top, giving it less than a 5% chance. He predicts Bitcoin’s fifth-wave rally could push it to $123K-$140K, with altcoins set for a “fantastic” season. Zeberg expects large-cap alts like Solana to lead before memecoins follow, as the TOTAL3 chart signals the next leg up.

CZ repeated his famous phrase exactly four years after first stating it in 2021—just months before the last crypto market peak. His emphasis on the number four aligns with his belief in the market’s four-year cycle, pointing to 2025 as the next major bull run. Despite regulatory challenges and economic shifts, CZ insists that patience and conviction remain the keys to crypto success.

Bitcoin has failed to significantly outperform gold despite rising institutional adoption and the success of Bitcoin ETFs. The Bitcoin-gold ratio recently hit its lowest level since November, down over 19% from its December peak. Meanwhile, gold nears record highs, challenging Bitcoin’s narrative as the superior store of value.

Solana’s validator revenue has surged, consistently netting over $40 million every two days since November, up from $4 million last year. New validators, like Kairos Research in partnership with Firstset, are entering the space despite high hardware costs. The Solana Foundation supports smaller validators by covering initial voting costs. Helius, now the largest validator, pivoted into staking due to network changes, while Sol Strategies has expanded through acquisitions. As competition grows, profitability depends on system optimizations and Solana maintaining its high usage levels.

Berachain, a Web3 blockchain using Proof of Liquidity, has sparked debate due to its origins in NFT fundraising and the skepticism around its long-term sustainability. Despite generating over $1.6 billion in pre-launch liquidity, some critics argue it built its chain too randomly. Meanwhile, Abstract, launched by the Pudgy Penguins team, targets gamers and streamers but has lower liquidity and fewer approved livestreamers. The two blockchains are drawing comparisons, though their focuses differ. Berachain has also faced backlash over its token distribution and restricted access for US residents, while Abstract’s growth remains uncertain.

Ethereum struggles at the $2,530 support level, with technical indicators showing increased bearish sentiment. The price has dropped 18.21% in the past 30 days, despite a 2.17% gain over the past week. A Death Cross on the EMA 50/200-day suggests further downside risk, potentially leading to a drop to $2,175. However, if the price rebounds, a move towards $2,870 could set the stage for a surge to $3,300. The market remains uncertain, and investors are closely monitoring the price action for future direction.

Bitcoin is struggling to hold support at $97,000, which is crucial for a potential rise to $100K. Short-term pullback is expected as liquidity is set to be grabbed at $97,800, possibly bringing the price to $95,500. Market sentiment remains sluggish with narrow price ranges as traders wait for volatility around the U.S. CPI rates. If Bitcoin surpasses the $98,700 resistance level, a new bullish trend could begin, but for now, BTC is expected to consolidate within a tight range until fresh liquidity enters.

Solana’s total value locked (TVL) surged by 64% QoQ and