BNB, AAVE, XMR and VIRTUAL still look strong.

Bitcoin (BTC) failed to sustain the recovery attempts during the week, indicating bearish selling at the high level. Although buyers couldn't push the price above $100,000, they didn't give up much ground to the sellers. This indicates that the bulls are holding their position as they anticipate another leg up.

Crypto mining firm Blockware Solutions's 2025 Bitcoin base issue target is $225,000 in a market forecast report published by Cointelegraph. Even the bearish target of $150,000 is much higher than the current price. The bull case target is a whopping $400,000.

Along with Bitcoin, traders are bullish on Ether (ETH). US Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw inflows of more than $2.5 billion in December, nearly double the amount from November. Asset management firm VanEek has a goal of more than $6,000 for Ether by 2025.

What are the critical support levels that could initiate a recovery in Bitcoin? If the sentiment turns bullish, let's take a look at the charts of the top 5 cryptocurrencies that could outperform in the near term.

Bitcoin price analysis

Bitcoin closed below the 50-day simple moving average ($96,124) on December 27, suggesting the bulls are losing their grip.

Buyers tried to push the price above the 50-day SMA on December 28, but the bears held their ground. The 20-day exponential moving average ($97,257) has started to decline, and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is in negative territory, indicating an advantage for the bears.

The BTC/USDT pair may slide towards the $90,000 support, where the bulls are expected to have a strong resistance. If the price recovers from $90,000 and rises above the moving average, it will indicate strong demand from the lows.

Buyers must drive the price above $100,000 to take control. The pair could rise to $108,353.

The 4-hour chart is forming a head-and-shoulders pattern, which will complete at the break and close below the neckline. If the price stays below the neckline, the pair may drop to $85,000 and then to the $76,647 pattern target.

If buyers push the price above $100,000 and keep it, this negative view could be reversed in the near future. That could open the door to retrying the top at $108,353. If this level is crossed, the pair could jump to $124,206.

BNB price analysis

BNB (BNB) has been oscillating between $635 and $722 for the past few days, reflecting the balance between supply and demand.

The bears will defend the $722 level, but a positive sign is that the bulls will not allow the price to drop below the 20-day EMA ($694). This shows that the bulls continue the pressure and are trying to overcome the barrier at $722. If they succeed, the BNB/USDT pair may rise higher to $760 and later to $794.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price declines significantly and breaks below the moving average, it indicates that a range-bound action may continue for several days. The bears will dominate at the break below the high line.

The 4-hour chart shows that the bears will defend the $740 level. If the price recovers from the 20-EMA, the bulls will make one more attempt to push the pair above $740. If successful, the pair may rise to $761 and later to $794.

Conversely, a break and close below the 20-EMA suggests that the bulls have given up hope. The bears gain the upper hand at the break and close below $680. That could sink the pair to $635.

Aave Token price analysis

Aave (AAVE) is seeing a fierce battle between bulls and bears near the 20-day EMA ($329).

An upward 20-day EMA indicates bulls have an edge, but an RSI near the midpoint suggests momentum is slowing. If the price falls below the 20-day EMA, the AAVE/USDT pair may drop to $261.

Buyers need to quickly drive the price above $362 if they want to maintain the advantage. If they manage to do that, the pair can retest the profit margin at $400. Sellers are expected to mount a strong resistance at $400, but if the bulls are defeated, the pair may start the next leg of the rise to $450.

The pair has formed a symmetrical triangle on the 4-hour chart, which is usually seen as a continuation pattern. Flat moving averages and an RSI below the midpoint do not give a clear advantage to either the bulls or the bears.

If the price rises and stays above the moving averages, the pair can add to the resistance line. A break and close above the triangle increases the possibility of a resumption of the uptrend.

Alternatively, if the price stays below the moving average, the pair may fall towards the support line.

Related: Here's what's happening in crypto today.

Monero price analysis

Monero (XMR) has been trying to start a recovery for the past few days but is facing strong resistance at $203.

The 20-day EMA ($193) is flat, and the RSI is near the midpoint, indicating a balance between buyers and sellers. If the price stays above the 20-day EMA, chances of a break above $203 increase. The XMR/USDT pair may rally to $216 and then to $234.

If the price breaks down and stays below the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the pair spend some more time in the $180 to $203 range. The bears will be in the driver's seat if they push the price below $180.

The pair has formed a bullish ascending triangle pattern on the 4-hour chart, which will be completed on the break and close above $203. If that happens, the pair could rally towards the $228 pattern target.

Instead, if the price breaks below the support line, it will invalidate the bullish setup. The failure of a bullish setup is a bearish signal as it holds more aggressive bulls. That could start a downward spiral to $180.

Virtual protocol cost analysis

Virtual Protocol (virtual) continues to rise after breaking out of strong overhead resistance at $3.33 on December 27.

The rising 20-day EMA ($2.71) suggests that buyers are in control, but the negative divergence on the RSI indicates that the positive momentum may be slowing. The VIRTUAL/USDT pair may rise to $4 and further to $4.79.

A break and close below $3.33 would be the first sign of weakness. The pair may then drop down to the 20-day EMA, which is an important level to monitor. If the price rebounds strongly from the 20-day EMA, the bulls will try to resume the rally. A break and close below the 20-day EMA could initiate a deep correction towards $2.

Both moving averages are trending upward, and the RSI is in positive territory, indicating a bullish trend. 20-EMA is a critical support to watch on the downside. If this support is broken, the pair may decline to the 50-SMA. Buyers are expected to strongly defend the 50-SMA because the pair may go down to $2 if the level breaks.

On the other hand, if the price stays above the 20-EMA, the probability of rallying to $4 increases. Sellers are expected to mount a strong challenge at $4.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and business activity involves risk, and readers should do their own research when making a decision.