The cryptocurrency market is showing fresh signs of strain and Ethereum (ETH) is now at the centre of growing bearish concern. Peter Brandt a veteran commodities trader has used his decades of chart-reading experience to present technical patterns that indicate the market requires more time before it can achieve recovery.

His analysis identifies two problematic structures which include ethereum’s price coil that is currently tightening and the total crypto market cap which shows a widening bearish formation. The two patterns show potential for downward movement which will occur during a period when investor trust in the market shows signs of weakness.

The market has become more tense because Bitcoin dropped below the $85,000 threshold. The market leader faces challenges which will cause altcoins such as ethereum to experience increased price fluctuations if their support levels begin to break down.

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Ethereum Faces Symmetrical Triangle Breakdown

The weekly ETH/USD chart shows that ethereum has been stuck inside a large symmetrical triangle pattern for several months. The pattern develops when price movements create lower high points and higher low points which lead to a gradual decrease in price movement range.

Neutral price movements in symmetrical triangles continue until the price breaks out of the pattern. Brandt warns that the current market structure may lead to a downward price movement. A weekly candle close below the lower trendline will confirm a bearish breakout for Ethereum.

The market impact of this move would lead to ETH dropping under vital support levels which would cause an increase in selling activity. This situation represents a key turning point for both traders and long-term investors who hold assets. A confirmed breakdown would lead to market participants shifting their outlook from cautious optimism to defensive positioning.

ETH exists in a tightly coiled state which will produce its next major price movement through downward movement.

Ethereum Signals Broader Crypto Market Weakness

The total cryptocurrency market cap is the second metric which Brandt presents through his second chart. The chart shows a right-angled broadening pattern which consists of a horizontal support line and an upward sloping resistance line.

The pattern shows a price range which expands to create a megaphone shape that predicts both rising price volatility and distribution events. Brandt states that bearish forces are building up at the horizontal support area which increases the possibility of a market downturn.

The total crypto market cap could decrease to the $2.41 trillion level if this structure experiences a breakdown. Investors who expect a quick market turnaround would lose 15 to 20 percent of their current investment value which represents a substantial loss.

These charts work together to create a bleak overall view of the situation. Ethereum is reaching an important technical point while the entire market shows signs of potential further decline. The current trend shows cautious behaviour as its main characteristic.

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