1. Elliott Wave Structure: Impulse and Correction
Wave 1-5 (M)
This chart starts with a completed five-wave impulsive structure based on Elliott Wave Theory:
Wave 1: The initial upward thrust.
Wave 2: A corrective move that doesn’t retrace beyond the start of Wave 1.
Wave 3: The most powerful extension, significantly larger than Wave 1. As per Elliott rules, this is usually the strongest wave in an impulse.
Wave 4: Another corrective phase that respects the price levels established by Wave 1. It is typically shallow and marks a rest period for the market before the final push.
Wave 5 (M): Marks the final upward wave of the cycle, peaking around $68,000. This signals the conclusion of the bullish cycle, after which a corrective phase is expected to follow.
ABC Corrective Pattern
After the completion of the five-wave impulsive structure:
Wave A: Begins the corrective phase, initiating the downward movement after the exhaustion of Wave 5.
Wave B: This retracement wave represents a temporary bullish move as the market attempts to regain momentum, but it fails to surpass the high of Wave 5.
Wave C: Completes the ABC correction, breaking the BOS MSB (M) (Break of Structure - Major Swing Break) and confirming the transition into a deeper correction. The C wave often exhibits aggressive selling as the market moves towards the next accumulation phase.
2. Wyckoff Methodology: Accumulation, Distribution, and Market Phases
Wyckoff's phases—Accumulation, Distribution, and Mark-Up—are key to understanding how supply and demand dynamics drive market movements. The chart highlights various Wyckoff phases:
Phase A (Accumulation/Distribution Start)
AR (Automatic Rally): Following the completion of the C wave (the final leg of the ABC correction), the price forms a preliminary support, which marks the beginning of Phase A in Wyckoff Accumulation. This is where large buyers (composite players) start absorbing supply, stopping the decline.
PS (Preliminary Support): Seen earlier in the chart, this represents the first instance where buyers step in to slow down the decline, eventually leading to a temporary support level.
Phase B (Range-Bound Movement)
SOW (Sign of Weakness): This represents a move below the accumulation range, showing that sellers still control the market. It often coincides with liquidity hunts or institutional maneuvers to induce fear.
ST (Secondary Test): At this point, the market tests the bottom of the range established during Phase A, as institutions seek to confirm the presence of demand.
SC (Selling Climax): This is the final point of significant selling pressure within the structure, which precedes the shift into a more bullish phase.
Phase C (Final Shakeout)
Spring: A potential liquidity grab where the price momentarily drops below the trading range to trigger stop-losses before sharply reversing. This traps late sellers.
LPS (Last Point of Support): Seen during Phase C in the chart, this marks the final low before the price transitions into Phase D (Mark-Up).
Phase D (Mark-Up)
The chart indicates a Mark-Up phase as part of Wave 3 following the accumulation in Phase C. The sharp upward thrust shows that demand has outweighed supply, with institutions driving prices higher:
SOS (Sign of Strength): A major bullish breakout from the range, confirming the price is ready for a sustained upward movement.
LPS (Last Point of Support): The price revisits a lower support level briefly during the upward phase to confirm the bullish move’s validity before continuing higher.
Phase E (Distribution)
As prices extend upward into the UT (Upthrust) in Phase B, this represents the top of a distribution phase, signaling potential exhaustion and the start of a new corrective structure. Prices begin to encounter significant resistance, as seen near $68,000, with the indication that sellers are regaining control.
3. Smart Money Concepts (SMC) and ICT Principles
The chart integrates Smart Money Concepts (SMC) and ICT principles, focusing on institutional trading behaviors and liquidity:
Break of Structure (BOS)
BOS MSB (M): This marks a significant shift in market structure. The BOS occurs when the market transitions from one market regime (bullish to bearish or vice versa). In this case, the BOS MSB indicates a major break in the bullish trend, confirming that a larger correction is taking place. BOS is a key signal for institutional traders looking to capture liquidity shifts.
Order Blocks and Liquidity Zones
Bullish Order Block (IMC): This is a key price zone where institutions place significant buy orders. The chart highlights these blocks to identify where price action will likely respect demand. These are critical areas for institutional players accumulating positions before a major price movement.
Liquidity Grabs (Stop Hunts)
No Money Protected Swing (M): Indicates potential liquidity grab zones where institutions might trigger stop-loss orders of retail traders before driving the market in the intended direction. These are manipulative moves often seen in ICT principles and smart money trading strategies.
4. Key Price Levels and Invalidation Points
Invalidation Point
The chart clearly identifies an invalidation point around the $68,000 level. This serves as a critical price level for the Elliott Wave count. If the price retraces above this level while the corrective structure is incomplete, the current Elliott Wave count will be invalidated, and the structure would need to be reanalyzed.
Resistance and Support Lines
Resistance Line (BC Distribution): This line signifies a key rejection zone, where the price is likely to face heavy resistance from sellers. This line plays a pivotal role in stopping further upward momentum and starting the next phase of distribution.
Support Line (AR Accumulation): This is where the price finds significant buying interest, representing a base for future bullish moves.
5. Projected Market Movement
Based on the analysis presented in the chart, the market is projected to undergo the following:
Wave A Decline: The current price action suggests a bearish Wave A within the Elliott corrective structure, signaling a larger move down. This aligns with the Wyckoff distribution phase, where supply overtakes demand.
Wave 4 Consolidation: During this decline, there will likely be consolidation and minor pullbacks as the market gathers strength for a deeper correction.
Wave C Completion: Following Wave A, a final move down will complete the ABC correction, before setting the stage for a new bullish cycle.
Conclusion
The chart reflects a detailed, multi-methodology approach to analyzing BTCUSD. Combining Elliott Wave, Wyckoff, and SMC concepts provides a comprehensive view of Bitcoin’s market structure, highlighting key areas of institutional interest, critical support/resistance zones, and the projected price path. This layered analysis helps traders understand the intricate dynamics of Bitcoin’s price action and prepare for future market moves.