Crypto Radar — Monday, May 18, 2026
The crypto market woke up this Monday with the bitter taste of those who lost the weekend battle. Bitcoin retreated to $77,065, surrendering 1.7% in the last 24 hours and accumulating a 5.8% decline over the week. Ethereum suffered even more, plummeting 2.5% on the day and 8.7% in seven days, now quoted at $2,136. The Fear & Greed Index at 28 points confirms it: we are in fear territory.
The total market capitalization shrank to $2.57 trillion, with a volume of $107.33 billion indicating growing nervousness. Bitcoin's dominance rose to 60.1% — a classic flight-to-quality movement when the market seeks refuge in the most liquid asset.
The technical scenario shows mixed signals. Bitcoin navigates between the 20 and 50 period moving averages, while Ethereum has already broken important support levels and flirts with oversold conditions. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to pressure risk assets, as reported by CoinTelegraph regarding the $1 billion in outflows from crypto funds in the past week.
Bitcoin: Testing the Patience of Bulls
Bitcoin is in a delicate situation. The RSI of 40 points signals approach to the oversold zone, but hasn't reached the historical buy territory (below 30). The bearish structure remains, with the SMA50 7.1% below the SMA200 — a gap that has only been widening since March.
Análise Técnica — Bitcoin
The critical support at $77,060 was tested today and held for now. A break here opens the path to $73,856, the monthly support that represents the difference between healthy correction and declared bear market.
The resistance at $81,052 seems distant with the current momentum. To reverse the picture, Bitcoin needs to reclaim the SMA20 at $79,344 and show consistent buying volume.
Ethereum: Oversold and Vulnerable
If Bitcoin is uncomfortable, Ethereum is in trouble. RSI of 27.2 indicates severe oversold conditions — territory where technical bounces historically emerge, but which can also extend in stressed markets.
Análise Técnica — Ethereum
The price has broken both the SMA20 and SMA50, establishing a clear bearish trend. The technical structure has significantly deteriorated, with the SMA50 12.8% below the SMA200. The support at $2,128 is the last line of defense before a sharper decline.
The outflows from the Ethereum Foundation, reported by CoinDesk, add fundamental pressure at an already technically delicate moment. The market interprets organizational changes as a signal of uncertainty about the network's future roadmap.
Today's Movements
While the general market bleeds, some assets swim against the current. KITE leads gains with 12%, followed by 币安人生 (+9.8%) and ONDO (+6.7%) — a mix of DeFi projects and tokenization that suggests rotation to specific sectors.
On the losses side, Bitcoin Cash (-9.4%) and Flare (-8.4%) lead the massacre. Dogecoin surrendered 5.6%, reflecting the general aversion to memecoins in a risk-off environment.
Stablecoin Rates
Macro and Regulatory Context
The regulatory news brings mixed signals. Minnesota approved crypto custody for banks and credit unions starting August 1st, according to CoinTelegraph — a positive step for institutional adoption in the US. In parallel, Revolut plans to bring Dogecoin to physical payments, betting on the popularization of cryptocurrencies.
In Brazil, the change in command at the Central Bank with Galípolo burying the blockchain DREX from Campos Neto may impact the perception of national financial innovation. Our analysis published on ON3X on the topic shows how the new direction prioritizes traditional reconciliation over distributed technology.
The billion-dollar movement of banks into the Solana ecosystem, reported by CoinDesk, highlights a structural shift: traditional institutions migrating from Bitcoin to more functional blockchains. This may explain part of the selling pressure on BTC.
What to Watch Tomorrow
- Bitcoin Support: $77,060 — a break confirms next leg to $73,856
- Ethereum RSI: If it stays below 30, a technical bounce may emerge
- Volume: Significant increase needed to reverse current trend
- BTC Dominance: Above 60% confirms flight-to-quality underway
- Fear & Greed: Below 25 may indicate final capitulation
The market is in "prove me wrong" mode. Oversold technical conditions exist, but a catalyst for reversal hasn't appeared yet. Smart money waits for clearer signals before positioning for the next move.
Disclaimer: Crypto Radar is published daily by the ON3X team for informational purposes only. This content does not constitute investment advice. Conduct your own research before making financial decisions.