Bitcoin Faces $81,000-$86,000 Resistance in Push Toward January High
Bitcoin is attempting to extend its recovery toward the January high, but a concentrated band of investor supply stands in the way. Blockchain analytics firm Glassnode said many long-term holders acquired coins near current levels, leaving them close to break-even. A return to their cost basis could encourage selling, creating an overhang that may slow the advance unless fresh demand absorbs the available supply.
Glassnode identified $81,000 to $86,000 as the key resistance zone and said the market faces a true demand test above $83,000. Liquidity and potential sell orders are thickening across that range as holders regain the opportunity to exit without a loss. Bitcoin will need sustained buying through the zone before it can mount a credible challenge to its January peak.
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The history behind this eventBitcoin Faces Key Resistance Test, Risks Slide to $50,000 if Breakout Fails
Bitcoin rebounded sharply over six weeks after falling to $66,000 in early April 2026, but the 200-day moving average remains a key dividing line in determining whether the bear market will continue. TradingShot noted that Bitcoin hit a fresh low after failing to break above the trend line from below in 2022, making the latest test critical to whether the market can reverse its medium-term weakness.
On May 6, TradingShot identified $84,000 as the most critical level for bulls to reclaim, warning that failure to break through could extend the bear market and send Bitcoin toward $50,000. On May 14, CryptoQuant put the 200-day moving average at about $82,400. Bitcoin subsequently retreated to around $79,300, while investors had already realized profits on 14,600 BTC worth nearly $1.2 billion on May 4, signaling mounting selling pressure.
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