Blog

Bitcoin at $84K: Market Analysis and SEC’s Crypto Shift

Is the bull run over? Explore key resistance levels, potential short squeezes, and why long-term investors see this as an opportunity.

17 March 2025

1

minute read

Bitcoin at $84K: Market Analysis and SEC’s Crypto Shift

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and investing involves risk. Always conduct your own research.

Bitcoin is currently sitting at around $84,000, and we've just received significant news from the SEC, which could have major implications for crypto’s future. In this article, we’ll break down what’s happening, compare the current market cycle to previous Bitcoin runs, and explore potential opportunities for investors.

Bitcoin’s Current Price Action

Right now, Bitcoin is trading at $84,300, after dipping as low as $76,600 recently. The next key resistance level appears to be around $85,000, and breaking past that could signal further upside. At this stage, the market remains neutral, as Bitcoin hasn’t broken below key support levels. Historically, these kinds of pullbacks have been normal during bull markets, where Bitcoin briefly retests previous highs before moving higher. To turn fully bullish again, Bitcoin would need to break above $90,000 and hold that level. Until then, many traders are adopting a wait-and-see approach, while others are using this dip to accumulate more Bitcoin at lower prices.

History Repeating Itself?

Many investors are wondering: is this time different? Looking at historical data, we see a pattern. In January 2021, Bitcoin hit a peak before experiencing a similar pullback, only to rally higher later in the year. Right now, we’re seeing a similar market structure, with a high in mid-December, followed by a pullback in January and February.

Time and time again, the market has followed similar psychological cycles. While the circumstances may change - different governments, policies, or macroeconomic conditions - the market structure remains eerily similar. For long-term investors, understanding these patterns is crucial. While short-term price movements can cause uncertainty, history suggests that Bitcoin tends to recover and reach new highs over time.

Short Squeeze Potential?

One key factor to watch is the $1.5 billion in Bitcoin short positions that could be liquidated if Bitcoin reclaims $90,000. If this happens, it could trigger a short squeeze, where traders betting against Bitcoin are forced to buy back their positions, leading to an even bigger rally. This type of event has played out many times before, contributing to sudden price surges.

At the moment, there are slightly more short positions than long positions, which could indicate a potential upward move. However, high leverage trading continues to be a major risk in the market, with many traders getting liquidated after small price movements.

The SEC’s Surprising Crypto Shift

In a surprising move, the SEC recently released clarifications on how various cryptocurrencies might play a role in government operations:

  • Ripple (XRP) – Optimizing government payments and interbank liquidity.
  • Cardano (ADA) – Smart contracts for government services and secure infrastructure.
  • Solana (SOL) – High-speed blockchain applications, including secure voting and digital identity management.

This is a huge shift from the SEC, which previously fought against many of these cryptocurrencies. It suggests that regulators are warming up to crypto and considering how different blockchains can be integrated into government systems. For investors, this could be a long-term bullish sign, as it shows increased adoption and regulatory clarity.

Macroeconomic Factors: Interest Rates & Market Sentiment

On the macroeconomic side, the U.S. stock market saw a $1.3 trillion increase in value yesterday, highlighting how quickly market sentiment can shift. At the same time, interest rates are becoming a major talking point. Former President Donald Trump recently stated:

"Nobody gets rich when interest rates are high because people can't borrow money."

This signals that a potential rate cut could be coming. If the Federal Reserve lowers rates, it could create a more favorable environment for Bitcoin and crypto assets. Additionally, reports indicate a 100% chance that the Fed will end quantitative tightening before May - a move that could inject more liquidity into the market and drive higher prices.

Final Thoughts: Is Now a Good Buying Opportunity?

For long-term investors, pullbacks like this can be an opportunity. If Bitcoin drops further, many would see it as a chance to accumulate more before the next rally. With growing institutional adoption, regulatory clarity, and historical cycles pointing toward further growth, many believe Bitcoin is still in a long-term uptrend.

Bitcoin’s current pullback doesn’t necessarily mean the bull run is over. Historical trends suggest that similar market movements have led to new highs in the past. With the SEC softening its stance on crypto, potential interest rate cuts, and macro conditions aligning, we may still see significant upside in the coming months. As always, please remember this isn't financial advice, please do your own research, stay informed, stick to your strategy, and trade wisely.