2026-01-15 13:28:00

There has been a very obvious phenomenon in the market in the past couple of days: when Bitcoin (BTC) is pushed up, small-cap altcoins can't keep up, but when it drops, they react very sensitively. If the small-cap altcoins don't catch up with the rally later, this current upward movement might be somewhat questionable.

Interestingly, yesterday when the US stock market declined, BTC actually rose, and privacy coins like XMR also showed strength. This indicates that many market participants are indeed using crypto assets to hedge risks. Looking at the recent international situation, some signals seem to be less than favorable.

Historical experience tells us that if conflicts do occur, they usually first fall before rising. However, price movements always lead us, and a 15-minute chart can reveal the clues.

From a technical perspective, the bullish momentum remains strong—lows are rising, and highs are also rising. The resistance level above is around 979, as mentioned yesterday. Short-term short positions can be tried, but the overall pattern still has the potential for further upward movement, so holding positions might be the safer choice. Looking further up, levels at 990, 994 to 996, and 1002 are key points to watch. The 100,000 mark generally shouldn't be broken so quickly, but we can't rule out the possibility of a final surge to shake out weak hands.

BTC-1,45%

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GateUser-a5fa8bd0

· 20h ago

Small coins follow the rise but not the fall, this pattern is really annoying. Wait, US stocks fall and BTC rises? This signal is a bit interesting. Trying short again at 979, but the overall pattern still feels like it needs to push further. Is 100,000 going to break so quickly? Is it a shakeout or a real breakout? Feeling a bit confused. The strength of privacy coins indicates someone is hiding from risk. Hmm, not very good. Lower points and higher points are both being raised; this pattern indeed has no issues. The bulls are so arrogant, but I'm just worried that the last wave of shakeout will wash people out. If small coins don't catch up with the rise again, this rally might be in trouble.

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YieldHunter

· 20h ago

honestly the divergence is sus... altcoins lagging on pumps but diving on dumps always smells like liquidity trap to me. if the correlation coefficient doesn't normalize soon, whole narrative falls apart imo

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BoredStaker

· 20h ago

Small-cap coins really can't be pushed up this time; they are actually the most active when falling It's all about hedging and international situations, sounds like a lot of warning signals Trying short positions is also okay, anyway holding positions is more stable, just see if 979 can hold The 100,000 level feels like it needs a shakeout before passing

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NftBankruptcyClub

· 20h ago

Small altcoins are really underperforming this wave, can't keep up with Bitcoin and are starting to struggle. --- US stocks are falling while BTC is rising, this is indeed interesting, someone might be hedging. --- Trying a short at 979? The pattern is still bullish, I don't dare to move. --- The 100,000 level is approaching too quickly, probably a final shakeout. --- Privacy coins are rising, but it feels a bit scary. --- Lower lows and higher highs, the bulls are still strong. --- If small altcoins don't catch up in this wave, there will be a problem. --- Keep an eye on 990, 994, 996, don't get shaken out. --- Price always leads; the 15-minute chart reveals the truth. --- When a conflict occurs, the usual move is to sell off first, but now it's rising, which feels a bit strange.

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MetaLord420

· 20h ago

Small coins are really a bit disappointing this wave, falling very quickly and rising like a snail Bro, your analysis is spot on. When US stocks fall, BTC rebounds, indeed some are bottom fishing for hedging At the 979 level, I'm shorting, either making money or getting wiped out haha Breaking through 10w so quickly is a bit suspicious, I always feel there's a big shakeout coming Is privacy coins rising? Then I need to add some XMR positions If small coins don't catch up in this round, it feels like the overall fundamentals have a problem I'll also try short-term shorts, just to gamble a bit of luck

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PerennialLeek

· 20h ago

Small-cap coins are really getting hammered this time. When they fall, the reaction is quick and complete; when they rise, nothing happens. If you can't keep up, it's probably a capital flow issue. Still, it depends on whether a rebound is possible. It's quite interesting that US stocks fall while BTC rises—some people are definitely using cryptocurrencies for hedging. The short-term at the 979 level can be tested with a short position, but it's safer to hold a steady position. Breaking through 100,000 feels too fast; there's a good chance of a shakeout. This market is a bit strange—when international tensions tighten, crypto prices actually strengthen? Small-cap coins should have already rebounded; otherwise, this upward move really raises questions. The strength of privacy coins is a signal; the market might be preparing for hedging.

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