Bitcoin Bulls Take Another Shot at the Fibonacci Golden Ratio Above $122K as Inflation Data Looms

Bitcoin BTC$91,941.56 bulls mounted a fresh challenge to a crucial resistance level as traders looked forward to U.S. inflation data.

The top cryptocurrency rose to $122,056, testing the 1.618% Fibonacci extension originating from the 2018 bear market low and the 2022 bear market low. The 1.618% extension is derived from the "golden ratio," a revered mathematical constant in finance, which is widely found in nature and art. Many believe it also influences human psychology and market movements.

This is the bulls' second attempt to scale the key resistance levels. They previously penetrated the same last month, but failed to sustain gains, which ultimately led to a price pullback to lows under $112,000.

A successful hold above the "golden ratio" would cement expectations for a rally toward $140,000, the most popular call option strike on the crypto derivatives exchange Deribit. As of writing, the $140,000 call boasted a notional open interest of over $3 billion, according to data source Deribit Metrics.

However, if the bulls fail to hold their ground for a second time, it would suggest the buying pressure is insufficient, potentially yielding a deeper correction.

As of writing, BTC changed hands at $122,000, having hit a high of $122,171 during the early Asian trading hours, according to CoinDesk data.

Focus on U.S. inflation

Data due Tuesday is expected to show that the impact of Trump's tariffs crept into inflation in July, lifting price pressures in the economy.

The core consumer price index, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, is likely to have risen 0.3% in July, according to the median projection in a Bloomberg survey of economists. In June, the core CPI increased by 0.2% from the previous month.

A hotter-than-expected inflation print may trigger market volatility, but it is unlikely to deter the Fed from cutting rates in September, according to Marc Chandler, chief market strategist at Bannockburn Global Forex. In other words, the dollar's downtrend could continue after the CPI report, boding well for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

"With U.S. interest rates still at the lower end of their ranges, despite a soft reception at the U.S. refunding last week, we suspect the market is vulnerable to what may prove to be the third consecutive monthly increase in the year-over-year headline and core CPI. After the report, we suspect the dollar's downtrend can resume," Chandler said in the market report on Sunday.

He explained that July's weak jobs report was a significant turning point that raised bets for a Fed rate cut, ending the dollar's counter-trend recovery rally.

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