Bitcoin Dips Below $77,000 — Bears Poised to Grab Control
By John Nada·May 22, 2026·2 min read
Bitcoin falls below $77,000 as bears take control. Institutional sell-off signals trouble for crypto assets, suggests Cointelegraph.
Bitcoin has slipped below $77,000, marking a potential turning point in a market teetering between bull and bear forces. According to Cointelegraph, this threshold often acts as a pivotal boundary, and a continued slide could signal a deeper bearish trend. Glassnode noted that the true market mean at $78,300 historically demarcates these regimes.
Institutional investors appear to be selling off, evidenced by a decline in the Coinbase premium, Cointelegraph reported. Nick Ruck, LVRG's research director, indicated that this premium drop hints at substantial selling by large holders, which might dampen short-term price momentum across major cryptocurrencies.
For Bitcoin to regain its footing, a move above $88,000 is necessary, as pointed out by independent analyst Filbfilb. Such a rise would break the weekly super trend, a sign that previous bear markets needed to conclude.
Ethereum, clinging to its support, faces a similar struggle. As Cointelegraph described, sellers are trying to keep Ether under pressure, but there's potential for a comeback if it climbs above its moving averages. This scenario could transform the recent dip into a bear trap, pushing the ETH/USDT pair upwards.
BNB has seen some bullish movement, rising past the 20-day EMA. However, sellers are expected to challenge its ascent at $687. If bulls can break through, the path to $790 opens up. Yet, sellers won’t easily concede, aiming to maintain BNB within its current range.
XRP remains under bearish influence, stuck below key moving averages. Cointelegraph suggests a breakthrough above a downtrend line could ignite a rally toward $2.40, but bears are anticipated to defend their ground vigorously.
Solana and Dogecoin also face pivotal tests. Buyers are pushing Solana toward its overhead resistance at $98, while Dogecoin is attempting to push past its 20-day EMA.
Hyperliquid (HYPE) continues its upward trajectory, hitting new highs. But sellers are mounting a strong defense, and a failure to maintain these levels could lead to a retracing toward its 20-day EMA.
Cardano and Zcash are battling their own challenges. ADA struggles below its moving averages, and ZEC fights to maintain newfound gains above $643 as bullish momentum wanes. Bitcoin Cash, rebounding off a breakdown level, faces resistance as it climbs, with potential pitfalls ahead if sellers regain control. The crypto market lately seems like a battlefield where the bears have gained ground. Yet, with key resistance levels in sight, could the bulls rally back to life?