Bitcoin price gained pace and was able to clear $16,500. BTC must settle above $17,000 to start a real recovery in the near term.

• Bitcoin started an upside correction and climbed above the $16,500 resistance.
• The price is trading above $16,400 and the 100 hourly simple moving average.
• There was a break above a major bearish trend line with resistance near $16,220 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
• The pair could continue to rise if it settles above the $17,000 resistance zone.

Bitcoin Price Recovers

Bitcoin price formed a decent support base above the $15,500 support zone. BTC remained well bid and started an upside correction above the $16,000 resistance.

There was a clear move above the 50% Fib retracement level of the main drop from the $16,795 swing high to $15,470 low. Besides, there was a break above a major bearish trend line with resistance near $16,220 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.

Bitcoin price is now trading above $16,400 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. It is also well above the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the main drop from the $16,795 swing high to $15,470 low.

On the upside, an immediate resistance is near the $16,800 level. The first major resistance is near the $17,000 zone. A successful daily close above the $17,000 resistance might start a real recovery wave. The next major resistance is near $17,500, above which the price could gain pace for a move towards the $18,000 zone.

Source: An intermediate resistance could be $17,650. It is near the 1.618 Fib extension level of the main drop from the $16,795 swing high to $15,470 low.

Fresh Drop in BTC?

If bitcoin fails to settle above the $17,000 resistance zone, it could start another decline. An immediate support on the downside is near the $16,500 level and a connecting bullish trend line on the same chart. The next major support is near the $16,250 zone and the 100 hourly simple moving average, below which the price might gain bearish momentum. In the stated case, the price might drop towards the $15,500 support zone. 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 $16,250. Major Resistance Levels – $16,800, $17,000 and $18,000.