Bitcoin (BTC) gave up the $80,000 level over the weekend and now faces a historically significant battle around $74,000-$75,000. This zone has repeatedly served as a critical support floor over the past two years, and analysts say the next test could be pivotal for the ongoing bear market.

Analyst Ardi notes that the $74,000-$75,000 region has anchored BTC’s price action in multiple phases. In 2024, the zone helped cap a seven-month consolidation, and in early 2025 it provided support before Bitcoin ascended to cycle highs near $126,000. As BTC approaches this crucial band after posting a 5.78% weekly correction to roughly $77,900, the weight of the zone is reinforced by several major price pivots formed there across different timeframes.

Key takeaways

• BTC is testing a long-standing support band around $74k-$75k after dipping below $80k, a level that has repeatedly defined price stability in recent years.
• Analysts see the next retest of this zone as potentially decisive for the current bear market, given its historical role as a support anchor across multiple cycles.
• The Bitcoin market-signal framework known as the bull-bear structure index has shifted back to bearish territory after BTC failed to sustain above $82k, signaling renewed selling pressure.
• On-chain activity highlights a shift of long-term holders’ coins to exchanges, with a rising share of older BTC moving on-chain and toward selling, amplifying near-term downside risk.
• If BTC can hold the $70k-$75k neighborhood, traders see potential for a relief rally toward the mid-to-high $80k range; a break below the zone could widen the downside toward $50k-$60k.

Critical price zone under scrutiny

As BTC approaches the $74,000-$75,000 corridor, market observers emphasize the zone’s weight as a potential fulcrum for the bear market. Ardi explains that this area has repeatedly functioned as a technical anchor, shaping strategic decisions for traders looking for the next directional impulse. The recurrence of pivotal pivots near this level across multiple timeframes adds to the sense that a robust defense here could extend the downtrend, while a durable hold might set the stage for a fresh leg higher once demand returns.

Bitcoin’s recent price action—trading around $77,900 after a weekly decline—puts the market in a position where a decisive hold in the $74k-$75k zone could calm near-term downside risks and pave the way for new momentum if buyers reemerge. The narrative hinges on whether buyers can sustain a floor in this band or if sellers gain the upper hand and drive BTC into deeper correction territory.

Bearish signals strengthen as price stalls above $82k

Market signals tracking BTC’s structural balance offer a sobering read. Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr. notes that the Bitcoin bull-bear structure index turned bearish again after BTC failed to maintain a run above $82,000 earlier this month. The metric aggregates six indicators—spanning ETF demand proxies, trader activity, exchange flows, and short-term momentum—to gauge whether buyers or sellers currently control the market. A positive reading points to buyer dominance, while a negative one signals growing selling pressure.

The bullish tilt proved fleeting. The index turned positive for less than three trading days, around early May when BTC flirted with $82,000. By May 17, the reading had collapsed to -23.49, underscoring a swift reversal toward seller control. This shift aligns with a broader view that fading upside momentum could be accompanied by renewed selling pressure, particularly if price fails to sustain critical levels.

On-chain dynamics reinforce this sentiment. CryptoQuant data show more BTC flowing onto exchanges from investors who bought BTC six to twelve months ago, a cohort that typically sits on significant unrealized losses when prices retreat. The analysis notes the average cost basis among this cohort sits around $110,851, suggesting many holders are vulnerable to realizing losses as prices pull back.

Historically, this reflects investors locking in major losses and exiting the market, creating severe spot-market selling pressure.

Additionally, the share of older coins moving to exchanges spiked to about 10.54%, far above the usual sub-1% threshold. Easy On Chain highlighted this pattern as a potential sign that longer-held positions are being liquidated, adding to near-term selling pressure and challenging the odds of a rapid rebound until demand returns.

For context, recent coverage around Bitcoin’s price action has also looked at potential near-term traps and the broader supply/demand balance. A linked analysis from Cointelegraph discussed a bullish trap around the mid-$70k range, underscoring how fragile the market’s immediate upside can be when tested at key levels.

What happens next: scanning the two likely paths

Traders are watching the $70,000 level as a more decisive floor. Alex Wacy, another market observer cited in the coverage, framed the possible outcomes as a bifurcation: holding the $70k zone could underpin a return to the $85,000–$90,000 range, rekindling bullish expectations if demand reasserts itself. Conversely, losing the $70k area—and notably breaking below the $74k-$75k support band—could open a path toward deeper losses, potentially targeting the $50,000–$60,000 region if the selling pressure persists and momentum fails to recover.

These scenarios reflect a market navigating a delicate balance between macro uncertainty, fading upside momentum, and shifting on-chain behavior. If buyers manage to stablize above the pivotal zone, workflow from traders, funds, and miners could align toward a renewed attempt at higher highs, possibly drawing in fresh participation and forcing a reappraisal of risk in a market that has struggled to sustain meaningful rallies since mid-2024.

The broader context remains important. The interaction between price action, on-chain movements, and market sentiment indicators suggests a market that could see either a short-lived relief rally or a renewed leg lower depending on whether buyers respond decisively around the $74k-$75k zone. As always, traders will be parsing every retail and institutional signal, while analysts emphasize that a broad macro backdrop—ranging from central bank policies to global risk appetite—will continue to shape BTC’s trajectory.

Readers should monitor the next price action near the $74k-$75k support and the $82k threshold for momentum. The next few weeks could reveal whether the bear market finds a durable floor or slides further as longer-term holders reassess risk and exit positions into strength or weakness in the spot market. For ongoing analysis and updates, keep an eye on market commentary that connects price levels with on-chain signals and fund flows, as these elements collectively illuminate the risk-reward landscape for Bitcoin in the near term.

Related reading: BTC price ‘bull trap’ at $76.5K? Five things to know in Bitcoin this week

ETH RSI, Source: CryptoWaves

XRP price dropped 2% on May 18, sliding to $1.3865 as traders sold aggressively into the $1.42 resistance zone.

XRP fell as traders took profits aggressively after another failed push above $1.42, knocking the token back below $1.40 in the 24-hour session ending May 18.

The sharpest move came during the May 17 23:00 UTC session, when 144.3 million in volume pushed price from the $1.42 area to lows near $1.378. Buyers stepped in around $1.38 to limit the loss, and XRP recovered partially into the close.

The rejection is technically significant. As crypto.news reported, roughly 1.24 billion XRP tokens are held by investors who entered between $1.45 and $1.47, creating a structural supply wall that absorbs buying on every approach to that level.

XRP price locked in triangle compression

Analysts have pointed to a months-long symmetrical triangle compressing XRP’s price action, with the apex tightening toward a resolution in late May. The pattern is approaching a decisive breakout point, with sellers still controlling the $1.42 upper edge even as buyers defend $1.38 on each test.

Standard Chartered analyst Geoffrey Kendrick has projected that Senate Banking Committee advancement of the CLARITY Act could unlock $4 to $8 billion in additional XRP ETF inflows, making that vote the primary binary catalyst for any breakout above $1.45. As crypto.news documented, XRP ETFs recorded $81.63 million in net inflows in April, the best month of 2026, yet price failed to sustain momentum despite consistent institutional demand.

What happens if $1.38 breaks

A clean breakdown below $1.38 removes the floor under the current consolidation and opens the path toward $1.30. Traders who entered at higher levels have been the primary selling force on each recovery attempt. The crypto.news XRP price page shows the token trading at roughly a 62% discount to its July 2025 all-time high of $3.65.

A close above $1.42 would be the first signal that sellers are losing their grip on the upper range. Until then, the symmetrical triangle continues to compress toward a resolution that technical analysts warn could be sharp in either direction.

TLDR

• Revolut has launched a Dogecoin-themed physical debit card in the United Kingdom and the European Union.
• The company said customers can use the card anywhere Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
• Revolut confirmed that users will not face additional exchange fees on purchases.
• The firm stated that transactions will follow the exchange rate at the time of payment.
• Revolut said crypto card payments may create tax obligations depending on local regulations.

Revolut has introduced a Dogecoin-themed physical debit card to expand crypto payments into daily spending. The company will launch the card in the United Kingdom and across the European Union, excluding Hungary, Switzerland, and Portugal. It said customers can use the card anywhere Visa and Mastercard operate.

Revolut Expands Crypto Payments With Dogecoin Card

Revolut confirmed that it will issue the Dogecoin card to users in selected European markets. The company stated that customers can pay at any merchant that accepts Visa (V) or Mastercard (MA). It said the rollout will begin in the United Kingdom and EU member states, except Hungary, Switzerland, and Portugal.

The company shared details about the card on X. It said users will not pay extra exchange fees when they make purchases. However, it clarified that transactions depend on the exchange rate at the moment of payment and may create tax obligations under local laws.

Revolut said the card forms part of its wider crypto offering. The company has worked to connect digital assets with standard payment networks. It aims to let users spend tokens through familiar retail systems.

The Dogecoin card supports payments funded by crypto balances held within the app. Users can convert their holdings at the point of sale. The company priced Dogecoin at $0.1047 during the announcement.

Revolut has expanded its crypto services during 2025. It integrated Polygon into its platform to support remittances and staking of POL tokens. It also enabled in-app crypto card payments for supported assets.

The company stated that the Dogecoin card aligns with growing demand for crypto-linked debit products. Exchanges such as Coinbase (COIN) and Crypto.com have widened their card programs. Firms now seek to connect token balances with daily retail activity.

Banking Push and Broader Expansion

Revolut continues to grow its banking operations alongside crypto services. In March, it secured approval to launch a fully licensed bank in the United Kingdom. The company confirmed that regulators granted the authorization after a formal review.

The firm also applied for a de novo banking license in the United States. It submitted the application to expand its presence in the American market. The move would allow it to operate as a regulated bank if approved.

Revolut stated that it will manage crypto card payments through its existing app framework. The company processes transactions using established payment rails. It said exchange rates apply at the time of each purchase.

The Dogecoin card represents the latest addition to Revolut’s payment portfolio. The company continues to introduce new financial products across regions. It confirmed that the card rollout will begin with eligible customers in the United Kingdom and EU markets.

Kraken revenue rose 3% year-on-year to $507m in Q1 2026 as futures trading jumped 51%, Payward said Monday.

Payward, Kraken’s Wyoming-based parent company, said in a Monday press release that it generated $507 million in Q1 2026 adjusted revenue, up 3% from the same quarter a year earlier. Bitcoin fell 22% during the quarter and industry-wide spot trading volume dropped 38%, yet Payward’s diversified platform cushioned the decline.

A year earlier, Payward had reported $492 million in Q1 2025 adjusted revenue, making the 3% year-on-year gain notable given the steeper market downturn this cycle.

Co-CEO Arjun Sethi said in the release: “Where others pulled back, we leaned in.” Growth in futures and newer business lines offset weakness in core crypto markets, with Kraken’s spot market share rising to 5.2% in March from roughly 3.5% in mid-2025.

Kraken revenue beats rivals through diversification

Rival platforms reported sharper declines in trading revenue over the same period. Payward attributed its resilience to its stronger institutional business and growing derivatives offering, built partly through its $550 million acquisition of CFTC-licensed platform Bitnomial, which crypto.news covered when the deal completed on May 4.

Total platform transaction volume reached $357 billion in Q1, while funded accounts rose 47% year-on-year to 6.1 million and assets on platform reached $40 billion.

Adjusted EBITDA fell to $18 million as Payward continued investing in acquisitions including tokenization platform Backed, token management firm Magna, Bitnomial, and payments company Reap.

Crypto.news reported that non-trading revenue sources including custody, payments, and financing accounted for 53% of Payward’s 2025 total, a structural shift that reduces dependence on volatile trading volumes.

What Payward’s IPO delay means

Payward filed its draft S-1 with the SEC confidentially in November 2025 but paused the process in March, citing market conditions. Sources indicate a public listing may slip to 2027. The exchange also cut approximately 150 employees in May, attributing the reductions to AI-driven operational efficiencies, representing roughly 5% of its total workforce.

Payward’s M&A push positions it as the most comprehensively regulated crypto derivatives platform in the US. Crypto.news documented how the Bitnomial deal and Deutsche Börse’s $200 million stake established Payward as a regulated hub for digital asset futures and options inside the US, with its IPO filing remaining active.