Bitcoin reclaims $108k amid upward consolidation as war tensions show signs of easing

Bitcoin (BTC) reclaimed the $108,000 threshold on June 16 as tensions of war escalating in the Middle East fell after reports surfaced that Iran was open to negotiations with the US and Israel.

Bitcoin’s move up regained the price level surrendered on June 12 while markets processed the initial flare-up in Israeli-Iranian hostilities. 

The “Bitfinex Alpha” report published on June 16 described the formation as a “healthy consolidation phase within an ongoing upward path,” noting that last week’s retreat measured only 9% from peak to trough. This is well inside the cycle’s median 7% drawdown.

Traders briefly drove the Fear & Greed Index into the “Fear” bracket on June 13. However, the magnitude of the decline matched routine volatility observed in 41% of trading sessions during the current cycle, according to the report.

As of press time, Bitcoin was trading at $108,621.47, up 3.32% over the past 24 hours.

Upward consolidation

Price action since mid-May continues to oscillate between roughly $102,000 and the January all-time high near $109,590. 

During the trading window from June 9 to June 12, Bitcoin initially advanced 4.7% to retest the record high near $112,000, then reversed after news of an Israeli strike on Iran triggered broad de-risking in oil, equities, and crypto. 

Market participants unwound leveraged longs, pushing Net Taker Volume to negative $197 million, the most negative reading since June 6.

The report framed such extremes as a historical marker for local bottoms, signaling that forced sellers had largely exited while larger wallets accumulated inventory.

Order-flow data implies limited downside

The seven-hour average of Net Taker Volume has remained negative since June 12, highlighting short-term selling flow even as spot prices rebounded. 

The report noted that support was between $102,000 and $103,000, adding that sustained trade above that level would suggest that bids continue to absorb supply cleared by momentum accounts. 

On the upside, failure to close decisively through $109,590 would keep Bitcoin range-bound and frustrate breakout strategies premised on an immediate extension.

Macro drivers still inject volatility. Brent crude advanced with Middle East risk, and US Treasury yields climbed, factors that typically tighten financial conditions and siphon liquidity from high-beta assets such as crypto. 

Yet, the report observed that Bitcoin’s relative drawdown versus historical norms, coupled with the rapid re-entry of buyers once the panic subsided, points to resilient underlying demand.

Market context favors accumulation

The current positioning contrasts with the double-top pattern that preceded the 2021 slide. Currently, fear surfaces quickly, suggesting cleaner balance sheets and lower leverage. 

The report argued that this sentiment profile could shorten correction length, provided external shocks do not intensify.

With the halving narrative still in play and exchange-traded fund inflows providing an additional buyer channel, traders will watch to see whether the spot closes above the consolidation ceiling or retests the lower boundary near $103,000. 

Until either event materializes, Bitcoin continues to alternate between support and resistance, providing liquidity for systematic strategies and incremental entry points for long-term allocators.

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