Crypto traders eye ATOM, APE, CHZ and QNT as Bitcoin flashes bottom signs

The United States equities markets rallied sharply last week, ending a three-week losing streak. The S&P 500 rose 3.65% last week while the Nasdaq Composite soared 4.14%. Continuing its close correlation with the U.S. equities markets, Bitcoin (BTC) also made a strong comeback and is trying to end the week with gains of more than 7%.
The sharp rally in the stock markets and cryptocurrency markets are showing signs of a bottoming formation but it may be too early to predict the start of a new bull move. The equities markets may remain on the edge before the release of the U.S. inflation data on Sept. 13 and the Federal Reserve meeting on Sept. 20-21.

Along with taking cues from the equities markets, the cryptocurrency space has its own important events to look forward to. Both the Ethereum’s Merge and Cardano’s (ADA) Vasil hard fork scheduled in the next few days could heighten volatility in several cryptocurrencies.
Although choppy markets increase the risk, they may offer short-term trading opportunities to nimble traders. Let’s study the charts of five cryptocurrencies that look interesting in the near term.
BTC/USDT
Bitcoin soared above the 20-day exponential moving average ($20,662) on Sept. 9, which was the first indication that the selling pressure could be reducing. The bears are attempting to stall the recovery at the 50-day simple moving average ($21,946) but a positive sign is that the bulls have not given up much ground.
The 20-day EMA has started to slope up gradually and the relative strength index (RSI) is in the positive territory indicating that the path of least resistance is to the upside. If bulls propel the price above the 50-day SMA, the BTC/USDT pair could rally toward the stiff overhead resistance at $25,211. The bears are expected to defend this level with vigor.
Another possibility is that the price turns down from the 50-day SMA. If that happens, the pair may drop to the 20-day EMA. This is an important level to keep an eye on because a break and close below it could open the doors for a drop to $18,626. Alternatively, if the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA, it will increase the likelihood of a break above the 50-day SMA.
The pair picked up momentum after rising above the breakdown level of $19,520. The sharp rally pushed the RSI into the overbought territory, suggesting a minor consolidation or correction. Buyers are facing a stiff challenge near $22,000 but they have not ceded ground to the bears. This suggests that every minor dip is being purchased.
If bulls propel the price above $22,000, the pair could quickly rally toward $23,500 where the bears may again attempt to stall the up-move.
Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-EMA, the pair could drop to $20,576. A break below this level will suggest that the pair may consolidate in a large range between $22,000 and $18,626 for some time.
ATOM/USDT
Cosmos (ATOM) broke above the overhead resistance of $13.45 on Sept. 8, indicating demand at higher levels. The next stiff resistance is at $20.30 which leaves room for a rally.
However, before that, the bears will try to pull the price below the breakout level of $13.45. This is an important level to keep an eye on because a break and close below it will indicate that the recent breakout may have been a bull trap.
On the other hand, if the price turns up from the current level or rebounds off $13.45, it will suggest that bulls are in control and are buying on every dip. If bulls thrust the price above $17.20, the up-move may pick up momentum and reach $20.30.
The 4-hour chart shows that the ATOM/USDT pair surged after breaking above the overhead resistance at $13.45. That pushed the RSI deep into the overbought territory and started a correction but a positive sign is that the bulls have not given up much ground.
If the price rebounds off the current level, the possibility of a break above $17.20 increases. If that happens, the up-move may continue and the pair may rally toward $20.30.
This positive view could invalidate in the near term if the price continues lower and plummets below the 20-EMA. If that happens, the pair could decline to the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of $14.36.
APE/USDT
ApeCoin (APE) rebounded strongly off the support at $4.17, indicating aggressive buying at lower levels. This suggests that the corrective phase could be ending, making it an interesting candidate for the short term.
Buyers pushed the price above the 20-day EMA ($5) on Sept. 9 and the APE/USDT pair formed an inside-day Doji candlestick pattern on Sept. 10. This uncertainty resolved to the upside on Sept. 11 with a strong rally to the 50-day SMA ($5.85). The bears may try to stall the recovery at this level.
If the price turns down from the current level but rebounds off the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that the sentiment has turned positive and traders are buying on dips. The bulls will then again attempt to drive the price above the 50-day SMA. If they do that, the pair could soar toward the overhead resistance at $7.80.
This positive view could invalidate in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA. In that case, the pair may drop to $4.17.
The 20-EMA on the 4-hour chart has started to turn up and the RSI has risen into the overbought territory. This indicates that bulls have the upper hand but a short-term pullback is possible.
If the price turns down from the current level but rebounds off $5.30, it will suggest strong demand at lower levels. The bulls will then make another attempt to push the price above $5.83 and extend the recovery to $6.44.
Alternatively, if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-EMA, the advantage may tilt in favor of the bears.
Related: Terra back from the dead? LUNA price rises 300% in September
CHZ/USDT
Chiliz (CHZ) broke above the 20-day EMA ($0.20) on Sept. 9, which was the first indication that the corrective phase may be ending. Hence, this token made it to the list.
The bears tried to pull the price back below the 20-day EMA on Sept. 10 but the bulls have held their ground. Buyers are attempting to push the price toward the overhead resistance at $0.26 but the up-move may face strong headwinds near $0.23.
If the price turns down but does not fall below the 20-day EMA, it will increase the likelihood of a rally to $0.26. Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down and breaks below $0.20, it will suggest that bears are active at higher levels. That could pull the price to the 50-day SMA ($0.18).
The 4-hour chart shows that the bears are defending the downtrend line. If the price turns down from the current level but rebounds off the moving averages, it will suggest that bulls are attempting a comeback.
Buyers will then again attempt to drive the price above the downtrend line. If they succeed, the pair may start its northward march toward $0.23 and later to $0.26.
Alternatively, if the price plummets below $0.20, it will suggest that the pair may remain inside the falling wedge pattern. That could pull the price down to $0.18.
QNT/USDT
Quant (QNT) did not break below the strong support at $87.60, indicating that the sentiment is positive and bulls are buying on dips. That is the reason for its selection.
The sharp rebound off $87.60 broke above the 20-day EMA ($100) on Sept. 8, which was the first indication that the corrective phase may be ending. The bears posed a strong challenge near the 50-day SMA ($105) but could not sink the price back below the 20-day EMA.
This indicated that the sentiment had turned positive and the bulls are buying on dips. Buyers pushed the QNT/USDT pair above the 50-day SMA on Sept. 11. If bulls sustain the higher levels, the pair could rise to $117 and then to $124. A break above this level could open the doors for a rally to $130.
This bullish view could be invalidated if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA. If that happens, the pair could drop to the strong support at $87.60.
The 4-hour chart shows that the pair rebounded sharply off the support at $87.60. The bears posed a strong challenge near $108 but a positive sign is that the bulls purchased the dip to the 20-EMA. This indicates that traders are viewing dips as a buying opportunity.
Buyers resumed the recovery by pushing the price above the overhead resistance at $108. The pair could rally to $113 and later to $117. Conversely, if the price turns down and plummets below the 20-EMA, the pair could drop to the 50-SMA.
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph. Every investment and trading move involves risk, you should conduct your own research when making a decision.