Nonfarm payrolls rose by 315,000 jobs in August, down from the July increase of 526,000 jobs. The report was just below the Dow Jones estimate of 318,000 jobs and the slowest monthly gain since April 2021. The S&P 500 rose in response to the report, but later erased its gains, indicating that bears continue to sell on rallies.
That may be because the U.S. dollar index (DXY), which had retreated from its Sept.1 20-year high, recovered part of its losses. The bears will have to pull the DXY lower to boost prices of stocks and the cryptocurrency markets as both are usually inversely correlated with the dollar index.

Daily cryptocurrency market performance. Source: Coin360
Although Bitcoin (BTC) has dropped more than 70% from its all-time high of $69,000, several traders have held on to their position. Data from trading analysis platform TipRanks shows that 62% of wallets have held Bitcoin for a year or more. The number of wallets holding Bitcoin for less than a month is only 6%. This suggests that investors are taking a long-term approach and holding on to their positions.
Could bulls push Bitcoin and altcoins above the overhead resistance levels? Let’s study the charts of the top-10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
BTC/USDT
Bitcoin broke and closed above the downtrend line on Sept. 1, which is the first indication that the short-term corrective phase could be ending.
BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
There is a minor resistance at $20,576 but if bulls thrust the price above it, the BTC/USDT pair could reach the 20-day exponential moving average ($21,091).
This is an important level to watch out for because if buyers clear this hurdle, it will suggest that the negative sentiment could be weakening. The BTC/USDT pair could then attempt a rally to the 50-day simple moving average ($22,318).
Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down from $20,576 or the 20-day EMA, the bears will make one more attempt to sink the pair to the critical support zone of $18,910 to $18,626. The bulls are expected to defend this zone aggressively.
ETH/USDT
Ether (ETH) turned down from the 20-day EMA ($1,61) on Aug. 31 but a positive sign is that the bulls did not allow the price to dip below the neckline of the head and shoulders (H&S) pattern.
ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
The price bounced off the neckline on Sept. 1 and has risen to the 50-day SMA ($1,640). The bears will try to defend the zone between the 50-day SMA and $1,700 but if bulls overcome this barrier, the ETH/USDT pair could pick up momentum. The pair could then rise to $1,848 and later retest the stiff resistance at $2,030.
Alternatively, if the price turns down from the overhead zone, the pair could again drop to the neckline. If this support breaks down, the pair could drop to $1,422 and then to $1,280. Although the pattern target of a breakdown from the H&S setup is $1,050, the bulls are likely to defend the support at $1,280 vigorously.
BNB/USDT
Binance Coin (BNB) turned down from the 20-day EMA ($289) on Aug. 31 and slipped below the strong support at $275 on Sept. 1. However, the long tail on the day’s candlestick shows aggressive buying at lower levels.
BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
The bulls will again attempt to push the price above the 20-day EMA. If they manage to do that, it will be the first sign that the bears may be losing their grip. The BNB/USDT pair could then rally to $308 where the bears may again mount a strong defense.
Conversely, if the price turns down from the current level or the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that the sentiment remains negative and bears are selling on minor rallies.
That will increase the possibility of a break below the support at $275. If that happens, the pair will complete a bearish H&S pattern. The pair could then slide to $240 and later to the pattern target at $212.
XRP/USDT
XRP has been trading between $0.32 and $0.34 since Aug. 28. This tight range trading indicates indecision among the bulls and the bears.
XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
The downsloping 20-day EMA ($0.34) and the RSI below 39 suggest that bears have the upper hand. If the price turns down and breaks below $0.32, the XRP/USDT pair could drop to the important support at $0.30. If this level also gives way, the pair could start the next leg of the downtrend.
This negative view could invalidate in the near term if bulls drive the price above the 20-day EMA. The pair could then rise to the 50-day SMA ($0.36). Such a move will suggest that the pair may continue to consolidate between $0.30 and $0.39 for some more time.
ADA/USDT
Cardano (ADA) has been trading close to the 20-day EMA ($0.47) for the past three days but the bulls have failed to push the price above it. This suggests that the bears are defending the 20-day EMA but a minor positive is that the bulls have not given up much ground.
ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
If the price turns down from the 20-day EMA and breaks below $0.44, the ADA/USDT pair could drop to $0.42. This level may again act as a strong support but if bears sink the price below it, the pair could decline to $0.40.
Contrary to this assumption, if the price breaks above the 20-day EMA, the pair could rise to the 50-day SMA ($0.49). The bulls will have to overcome this barrier to clear the path for a possible rally to the downtrend line.
SOL/USDT
Solana (SOL) has been stuck in a tight range between $30 and $33 since Aug. 27 which indicates indecision among buyers and sellers.
SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
The downsloping 20-day EMA ($34) and the RSI in the negative territory indicate advantage to bears. If sellers sink the price below $30, the SOL/USDT pair could drop to the crucial support at $26. This is an important level to keep an eye on because a break and close below it could signal the resumption of the downtrend.
Alternatively, if the price turns up from the current level and breaks above the 20-day EMA, the pair could rise to the 50-day SMA ($39). Such a move could suggest that the pair may remain stuck between $30 and $48 for a few more days.
DOGE/USDT
Dogecoin (DOGE) once again bounced off the strong support at $0.06 on Sept. 1 but the rebound lacks strength. This suggests the absence of aggressive buying at these levels.
DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
The downsloping 20-day EMA ($0.07) and the RSI in the negative territory indicate advantage to sellers. If the price turns down from the current level or the 20-day EMA, the bears will again attempt to sink the DOGE/USDT pair below $0.06. If they succeed, the pair could slide to the vital support at $0.05.
This negative view will invalidate in the short-term if bulls drive the price above the moving averages. If that happens, the pair could attempt a rally to the overhead resistance at $0.09.
Related: CEL climbs 50% as Celsius Network aims to return $50M to clients
DOT/USDT
Polkadot (DOT) had been stuck inside a tight range between $7.38 and $6.79 for the past few days, indicating indecision among the bulls and the bears.
DOT/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
This balance could tilt in favor of the buyers if they push and sustain the price above the overhead zone between $7.38 and the 50-day SMA ($7.87). The DOT/USDT pair could then start a rally to $9.17 and later to the overhead resistance at $10.
Conversely, if the price turns down from the overhead zone, it will suggest that the sentiment remains negative and traders are selling on rallies. The bears will have to sink the price below $6.79 to gain the upper hand. The pair could then decline to the crucial support at $6.
MATIC/USDT
Polygon (MATIC) broke and closed above the moving averages on Sept. 1. This opens the doors for a possible rally to the overhead resistance at $1.05. The bears are likely to defend this level aggressively.
MATIC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
If the price turns down from $1.05, the MATIC/USDT pair could extend its range-bound action for some more time.
The 20-day EMA ($0.84) is flat but the RSI has jumped into the positive territory, indicating that the momentum favors the buyers. If bulls thrust the price above $1.05, the pair could extend its up-move to $1.19.
Conversely, if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA, the pair could again drop to $0.75. A break below this support could sink the pair to $0.63.
SHIB/USDT
Shiba Inu (SHIB) turned down from the 20-day EMA ($0.000013) on Aug. 30 and dropped to the important support at $0.000012. This suggests that bears are active at higher levels.
SHIB/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView
A minor positive is that the bulls did not allow the price to sustain below $0.000012 on Sept.1. The price remains stuck between the 20-day EMA and the $0.000012 support.
If bulls drive the price above the 20-day EMA, the SHIB/USDT pair could rally to the overhead resistance at $0.000014. This level may again act as a stiff hurdle but if bulls overcome it, the rally could extend to $0.000018.
Conversely, if the price once again turns down from the moving averages and breaks below $0.000012, the pair could decline to $0.000010.
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.
Market data is provided by HitBTC exchange.