On May 13, the bitcoin (BTC) exchange rate fluctuated around $81.2 thousand. At the time of writing, it was equal to $79,747. Since the beginning of the month, the leading cryptocurrency has risen in price by 6%, and by 0.4% over the last day.
Experts interviewed by RBC-Crypto assessed the chances of cryptocurrencies to grow in the near future and named the current targets for bitcoin and Ethereum.
“Mode of accumulation of forces”
Markets are tired of the April turbulence and have moved to the mode of accumulation of forces and consolidation, says independent IT consultant Roman Nekrasov. He noted that bitcoin managed to overcome the $80 thousand mark and consolidate above, but for further growth, new positive signals are needed. Such as an increase in inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a decrease in inflationary concerns and stabilization of the situation with energy supplies.
“Although the acute phase of the Middle East crisis is behind us, the global oil market remains in deficit and uncertainty due to the difficulty in transportation of oil from the Arabian Peninsula. Against this background, the risks of inflation run-up remain high, which puts pressure on the entire class of risky assets,” Nekrasov said.
He explained that while the market remains in the mode of cautious accumulation: the technical picture is neutral-bullish, inflows into ETFs have slowed down, the index of fear and greed in the crypto market is fluctuating at neutral levels. But without new catalysts bitcoin price breakthrough above $85-88 thousand in the near future is unlikely, the expert believes.
“Sideways to the fall”
After the record April inflow of capital into bitcoin-ETFs, May inflows have slowed down, also noted Ryan Lee, lead analyst at Bitget Research. He recalled that in the first days of the month, inflows to funds were brisk ($630 million, $532 million, $467 million on May 1, 4 and 5, respectively, according to Farside), but followed by a week of correction with withdrawals from funds ($268 million, $145 million, $115 million on May 7, 8 and 12, respectively). Nevertheless, the cumulative positive trend in inflows remains, and this is taking BTC out of free float, which Lee says is supporting the smooth appreciation of the exchange rate.
The analyst pointed out that whales (10-10,000 BTC wallets) have moved to active accumulation: in May alone, they added 16,622 BTC (Santiment data). That’s also down from April, but much better than the first quarter of 2026, when large holders were selling cryptocurrency amid a market downturn, Lee says. Whales’ interest in bitcoin also contributes to the moderately bullish outlook for the coming weeks, he said.
In the second half of May, there is a high probability of continued sideways movement of the leading cryptocurrencies with a potential upward move, Lee said. According to the analyst’s estimates, in case of successful breakthrough of local resistances, the nearest targets for BTC are $85-88 thousand, for ETH – $2.5-2.8 thousand. However, temporary returns to resistance levels of $78 thousand for bitcoin and $2.15-2.2 thousand for ETH in case of negative macroeconomic signals are not excluded, the expert warned.
At the same time, Cryptorg analyst Dmitry Savintsev reminded that in May traditionally begins a decline in trading activity. “The old exchange Sell in May and go away works in crypto,” – said the analyst, explaining that with the arrival of summer markets go on vacation.
“ Sell inMay and go away” (Sell in May and go away) – a well-known investment strategy, according to which you should sell assets in early May and return to buying in November.
The original British saying was: Sell in May and go away, and come on back on St. Leger’s Day. Aristocrats and bankers tried to complete their business before May so they could leave for the summer and return after the fall horse races.
In Savintsev’s opinion, with bitcoin noticeably falling below $80 thousand, it is logical to wait for a three-month “sideways” until the fall in the range of $70-80 thousand. To break this scenario, according to the expert, can only break bitcoin in May to $90 thousand.
