The latest Bitcoin movement has brought bulls back under control on the short-term chart, but the setup is not as simple as a clear breakout to higher prices. The 4-hour structure is visible building momentum, trendline supports holding and buyers push to higher highs.
However, the path to much greater expansion still seems in sight have one unfinished step. The technical chart implies that Bitcoin may need to revisit a key area before the next big move to at least $97,000 can properly develop.
Bitcoin Breakout leaves an important level behind
Technical analysis of Bitcoin price action on the 4-hour candlestick chart posted on the The TradingView platform shows that the leading cryptocurrency does all the hard part of the setup.
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Bitcoin’s price action has moved above the long falling resistance line that had held back previous rallies, turning the broader 4-hour structure more bullish. The breakout also came as Bitcoin continued to respect the rising support trendline that has led the recovery since late February through April.
However, outbreaks without retesting are incomplete. The 4-hour chart also shows that Bitcoin price has moved past the strongest demand zone, leaving the $71,900 to $72,000 region behind as the area may still want to retest.
Bitcoin price chart. Source: TradingView
The expansion phase and what is required for it
The most important part of the setup is the support area around $71,900 to $72,000. However, a retest of this range would not be a sign of weakness. It would be a price action that does exactly what it’s supposed to do: return to a level of proven demand and absorb the remaining sell orders, creating a strong buying opportunity and laying a foundation solid enough to support an expansion to new yearly highs.
Speaking of a run to new yearly highs, the price target suggested by this analysis is a rally to at least $97,400. This means the bullish setup has some room to breathe. but not unlimited space.
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There is an invalidation level that has been reached $67,500. A breakdown below $67,500 would weaken the argument that Bitcoin is merely retesting before expanding. Instead, it would mean that the breakout has failed and sellers have regained control of the short-term structure.
The broader market backdrop adds to the bullish situation. Bitcoin’s recovery coincided with big question US Spot Bitcoin ETFs, which witnessed $630 million inflows on May 1.
Bitcoin short broke above $80,000 over the weekend, but this move did not hold as the price reversed before the daily close. A daily close above $80,000 could serve as the first signal of a broader bullish expansion.
The next major confirmation would be a daily close above the 200-day moving average, which currently stands at $83,600. Bitcoin has not closed above this moving average since October 2025, making it an important level for bulls to regain.
Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com