Wednesday, December 17, 2025 — The digital asset ecosystem is experiencing a day of contrasts. While major cryptocurrencies in the market undergo a technical correction, analysts are focusing on a graphical formation that could anticipate a massive bullish cycle for alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins).
Market Status: Slight decline in major currencies
As of the closing of this report, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) show a sideways trend with a bearish bias in most global markets. In the United States, BTC is trading at $111.123,54 USD, remaining stable, while ETH declines by -0.51% to $2.930,98 USD.
In the Latin America region, the impact of volatility is reflected as follows:
Argentina (ARS): BTC $133,446,730.42 (-0.74%) | ETH $4,487,714.76 (-1.17%)
Colombia (COP): BTC $333,965,089.35 (-0.12%) | ETH $11,243,008.39 (-0.37%)
Mexico (MXN): BTC $1,564,798.06 (-0.23%) | ETH $52,633.20 (-0.70%)
Venezuela (VES): BTC $28,843,875.13 (-0.73%) | ETH $988,282.70 (+2.26%) — Highlighting as one of the few exceptions to the rise.
The "Cup and Handle" pattern: Is bullish chaos approaching?
Despite the current "bloodbath" that has seen liquidations of up to $500 million in leveraged positions, the analyst known as "Merlijn The Trader" points to an optimistic long-term outlook for altcoins.
The "Cup of Destruction"
According to technical analysis, the total market capitalization of altcoins (excluding $BTC and $ETH ) is completing a "cup and handle" pattern that has been forming over the last five years:
The Cup: It formed from the highs of $1.15 trillion in the previous cycle to the floor of the bear market in 2022 ($295 billion).
The Handle: A phase of lateral consolidation between $900 billion and $1 trillion observed during 2025.
"Once this breaks, it becomes parabolic. It’s the calm before the bullish chaos," says Merlijn. If the projection holds, the price of altcoins could rise by at least a distance equivalent to the depth of the "cup."
Key factors for the success of the pattern
For this technical formation to be validated and for altcoins to begin their parabolic journey, the market will depend on:
Less restrictive monetary policies (interest rate cuts).
Greater risk appetite from institutional investors.
Stability in the price of Bitcoin, which is currently vulnerable to further declines according to Glassnode data.
Meanwhile, the current Bitcoin block stands at 928,266, marking the unstoppable advance of the network despite short-term fluctuations.
