Bitcoin steadies near $77K as momentum weakens
Bitcoin steadied around $77,000 on May 18, 2026, trading between $76,900 and $77,465 as momentum indicators turned bearish and resistance near $78,400 limited gains.
Bitcoin traded between $76,900 and $77,465 on May 18, 2026, just before 10 a.m. ET, holding above the $76,000 support range as momentum indicators showed weakening short-term strength and resistance formed near $78,400.
On the one-hour chart, the price consolidated between about $76,700 and $78,400 following an earlier selloff. Intraday momentum remained weak while a modest rebound attempted to reclaim short-term levels. Market participants monitored whether bitcoin could rise above $77,500; a drop below $76,700 would put $76,000 back into focus. Reported trading volume for the session was near $33 billion.
The four-hour view showed a short-term bearish structure after lower highs from a rejection near $82,000. Price action around $76,800 to $77,000 suggested a potential base as selling pressure eased and volume declined during the pullback. Immediate resistance was between $78,500 and $79,000, with downside targets cited at $76,000 and $75,000 if support failed.
On the daily chart, bitcoin traded in a sideways range near $77,000 after earlier rejection in the $81,000–$82,000 area. Analysts identified the $74,000–$75,000 band as the main structural support for the medium-term outlook. A daily close below $74,000 would increase the probability of a deeper retracement toward $72,000.
Oscillator readings were mixed: the 14-day relative strength index registered 46, the Stochastic printed near 11, the commodity channel index read about -100 and the average directional index stood at 26. Short-term momentum measures showed negative readings, including a momentum indicator around -2,903 and a negative MACD signal.
Moving averages gave split signals across timeframes. Short-term 10-, 20- and 30-period EMAs and SMAs were below the price and appeared bearish. Medium-term 50- and 100-period averages remained on the buy side, while 200-period averages reflected negative conditions.
A sustained move above $78,500 would reopen the path toward $80,000–$82,000 resistance. Conversely, a failure to hold $76,000 could lead to a pullback to the $74,000–$72,000 range.
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