NEAR, XRP, SHIB and BTC retreat from key levels, bulls target new highs

NEAR Protocol stalls below $5.60 resistance

NEAR Protocol, the smart contract platform designed for scalable decentralized applications, traded close to $4.79 after a correction from its September peak. The token surged from $1.60 in late August to nearly $5.60 in just over a month before encountering stiff resistance at the $5.60 mark. NEAR has now failed to close above this level in three consecutive attempts, establishing it as a major barrier for further upside.

Recent price action saw NEAR drop sharply to $4.44 on heavy trading volume, but buyers responded by lifting the price back above the 20-day average, which now sits near $4.35. Technical indicators suggest the uptrend remains intact, with the 50-day and 200-day averages at $3.67 and $2.45, respectively, both trending upward. The relative strength index (RSI) cooled off to the mid-50s following an overbought phase, indicating that the market has room for another surge if momentum returns.

For now, the main focus rests on the $5.00 psychological threshold. A daily close above that level could bring $5.60 back within reach, while support at $4.35 is critical to avoid a drop toward $3.80 or even the $3.60 area. Until $5.00 is reclaimed, NEAR is likely to trade sideways between support and resistance.

Mini dictionary: NEAR Protocol, a layer-1 blockchain focusing on scalability and usability for decentralized application development, uses sharding technology to increase throughput and keep transaction fees low.

XRP consolidates at 200-day moving average

XRP, the digital asset tied to cross-border payments provider Ripple Labs, hovered near $1.38 after slipping from the $1.50 region. The token is trading directly atop its 200-day moving average—highlighted as the chart’s most crucial level. Price action recently sliced through both the 20-day and 50-day moving averages, with demand surfacing near the 100-day average at $1.335.

Earlier momentum in September pushed XRP as high as $1.65 following a break above a descending trend line, but it failed to sustain values above $1.55, giving up most of those gains. The RSI has shifted lower to around 42, reflecting market hesitation. While neither buyers nor sellers are showing strong conviction, resistance has now gathered above $1.40, clustered between several moving averages. XRP must achieve a daily close above $1.46 for bullish momentum to resume, while sustained closes below $1.25 could shift the trend to bearish.

XRP’s $1.33 to $1.40 range now acts as the critical battleground for bulls and bears, with the direction of the next major move hinging on whether price can reclaim resistance or breaks key support.

SHIB and BTC face key support tests

Shiba Inu’s SHIB token retreated to $0.00000536 after sellers drove the price under its 200-day moving average at $0.00000565. A sharp drop halted at the 100-day average near $0.00000529, with buyers showing interest at that level. The token remains locked between support at $0.00000510 and resistance at $0.00000565, with higher volume on the sell-off suggesting sellers retain the upper hand for now. A close above the 200-day line would be needed for a bullish reversal to begin.

Bitcoin was last seen near $82,949, rebounding from recent lows close to $80,300. The leading cryptocurrency found buyers at its 20-day moving average near $80,700, keeping the uptrend alive. Bitcoin’s broader uptrend remains unchallenged, with resistance at $87,000 capping earlier advances. The RSI sits around 45, showing the market is no longer overheated and may have space for another rally if resistance yields.

With all main moving averages trending higher and price well above them, the Bitcoin uptrend remains intact as long as $75,000 support holds, while a breakout above $87,000 could open the door to $90,000.