The selling in Bitcoin (BTC) is showing no sign of abating and Bitcoin has fallen for seven straight weeks for the first time ever. This indicates that the momentum remains strongly in favor of the bears. 

While the short-term sentiment remains bearish, institutional traders seem to be taking a longer-term approach on cryptocurrencies. Goldman Sachs and Barclays joined several other institutional investors in a $70 million Series A funding round by institutional trading platform Elwood Technologies.

After the mayhem and volatility of the last week, crypto prices may attempt a relief rally in the next few days. It is unlikely to be a V-shaped recovery because the macro conditions are not supportive. During periods of high volatility and uncertainty, it might be a wise decision to cut down on the trading position size to keep risk under check.

What are the critical support and resistance levels that may indicate a potential change in trend when breached? Let’s study the charts of the top-10 cryptocurrencies to find out.

BTC/USDT

Bitcoin turned down from $3,460, suggesting that bears are selling on minor rallies. The bears will now attempt to sink the price below the crucial support at $28,805 but the bulls are likely to have other plans.

If price rebounds off $28,805, the bulls will again try to push the BTC/USDT pair to the 20-day exponential moving average ($33,646). This is an important level to keep an eye on because a break and close above it could indicate that bulls are attempting a comeback. The pair could then rise to the 50-day simple moving average ($39,300).

Contrary to this assumption, if the price slips below $28,805, the pair could drop to $26,700. If this support cracks, the pair could resume its downtrend and the price may plummet to $25,000 and later to $21,800.

ETH/USDT

Ether (ETH) is facing stiff resistance at the breakdown level at $2,159 which suggests that bears continue to sell on rallies. The bears will now try to pull the price below the immediate support at $1,940.

If they succeed, the ETH/USDT pair could drop to the critical support at $1,700. This is an important level for the bulls to defend because if they fail to do that, the downtrend could resume and the pair may drop to $1,500.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns up from $1,700, the pair could rise to $2,159 and remain range-bound between these two levels.

The first sign of strength will be a break and close above $2,159. That could clear the path for a rally to the 20-day EMA ($2,421). The bulls will have to overcome this barrier to indicate that the downtrend may be over.

BNB/USDT

Binance Coin’s (BNB) strong recovery reached near the breakdown level at $320 on May 13 and May 15 but the bulls could not clear this overhead barrier. This suggests that bears are attempting to flip the level into resistance.

The BNB/USDT pair could now drop to $265 which is likely to act as support. If the price rebounds off this level, the buyers will again try to drive the pair above $320. If they succeed, the pair could rally to $350 and thereafter to the 50-day SMA ($391).

Alternatively, if the price slips below $265, the pair could drop toward the strong support at $211. The bulls are expected to defend this level with vigor. A strong bounce off this support could keep the pair range-bound between $211 and $320 for the next few days.

XRP/USDT

The long wick on Ripple’s (XRP) May 13 candlestick suggests that bears are trying to pose a strong challenge near the breakdown level at $0.50. The failure to rise above this overhead resistance could have tempted short-term traders to book profits.

If the price continues lower and breaks below $0.38, the XRP/USDT pair could drop to $0.33. The bulls are expected to defend this level aggressively but if the support cracks, the bearish momentum could pick up and the pair may plummet to $0.24.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns up from the current level or the support at $0.38, the bulls will try to push the pair above the $0.50 to $0.55 overhead zone. If they succeed, it will suggest that the markets have rejected the lower levels. That could clear the path for a potential rally to the 50-day SMA ($0.67).

ADA/USDT

Cardano’s (ADA) relief rally is facing selling near $0.61 suggesting that bears are not willing to let go of their advantage. The bears will try to pull the price below $0.46 and retest the May 12 intraday low at $0.40.

If the price breaks below $0.40, the selling could intensify further and the ADA/USDT pair may plunge to $0.33 and later to $0.28.

Conversely, if the price turns up from the current level or the support at $0.46, it will suggest that bulls are attempting to put in a bottom. The buyers will have to push and sustain the price above the 20-day EMA ($0.68) to signal that the correction may be over. The pair could then rise to $0.74 and later to the 50-day SMA ($0.89).

SOL/USDT

Solana’s (SOL) bounce from $37 is facing stiff resistance at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $59. This suggests that bears continue to sell on minor rallies.

The bears will now try to pull the price below the immediate support at $44. If they succeed, the SOL/USDT pair could retest the crucial level at $37. A break and close below this support could sink the pair to $32.

Conversely, if the price turns up from the current level or the support at $44, it will suggest that bulls are buying on dips. The bulls will then try to clear the overhead hurdle at $59 and push the pair to the 20-day EMA ($70). This level is likely to act as a stiff resistance.

DOGE/USDT

Dogecoin’s (DOGE) recovery could not rise above the breakdown level at $0.10, suggesting that the bears are trying to flip the level into resistance. If sellers succeed in their endeavor, the likelihood of a retest of $0.06 increases.

This is an important level for the bulls to defend because a break and close below it could signal the resumption of the downtrend. The DOGE/USDT pair could then drop to $0.04 where the bulls may again try to arrest the decline.

Alternatively, if the price turns up from the current level, the bulls will attempt to clear the overhead hurdle at $0.10 and the 20-day EMA ($0.11). If they do that, the pair could rally to the 50-day SMA ($0.13).

Related: Deus Finance’s dollar-pegged stablecoin DEI falls below 60 cents

DOT/USDT

Polkadot (DOT) climbed back above the breakdown level of $10.37 on May 13 but the recovery stalled near $12. This suggests that the sentiment remains negative and traders are selling on rallies.

If bears sink the price below $10.37, the DOT/USDT pair could drift lower toward the minor support at $8. If this level cracks, the possibility of a break below $7.30 increases. The pair could then resume its downtrend and plummet toward the next strong support at $5.

Alternatively, if the price rebounds off $10.37 or $8, the bulls will attempt to push the pair above the 20-day EMA ($13). If they manage to do that, it will suggest that the short-term trend may have turned in favor of the buyers. The pair could then attempt a rally to $16.

AVAX/USDT

Avalanche’s (AVAX) recovery is facing stiff resistance at $38. The shallow rebound following a sharp decline suggests a lack of aggressive buying by the bulls. This could embolden the bears who may try to build upon their advantage.

If bears pull the price below $29, the selling could pick up momentum and the AVAX/USDT pair could drop to the critical level at $23. This is an important level for the bulls to defend because a break and close below it could result in a decline to $20 and thereafter to $18.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns up from the current level or $29, it will suggest that bulls are buying at lower levels. That could increase the possibility of a relief rally to the 20-day EMA ($48) where the bears may again mount a strong defense.

SHIB/USDT

Shiba Inu’s (SHIB) rebound hit a wall at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.000014 on May 13 and 14, indicating that bears do not want to let go of their advantage.

The bears will once again try to sink the price below the psychological level at $0.000010 and challenge the intraday low of $0.000009 made on May 12. A break and close below this level could signal the resumption of the downtrend. The SHIB/USDT pair could then decline to $0.000007 which is likely to act as a strong support.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price rebounds off $0.000010, the bulls will attempt to push the pair to the breakdown level at $0.000017. The buyers will have to clear this hurdle to suggest that the bears may be losing their grip.

The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph. Every investment and trading move involves risk. You should conduct your own research when making a decision.

Market data is provided by HitBTC exchange.