Litecoin (LTC) has suffered a significant technical breakdown, losing its crucial long-term support zone between $80 and $84. The altcoin's price dropped 7.5% in just five hours, hitting a new low of $72.64 on Thursday, April 18, before a slight recovery to trade around $75.89. This decline occurred amidst broader market volatility, with Bitcoin (BTC) swinging from $89.5k to a new low of $84.5k.
The $80-$84 zone had been identified as a vital demand area for Litecoin bulls over the past two weeks, but recent analysis highlighted their lack of fighting strength. Even LTC's inclusion in Bitwise's 10 Crypto Index ETF (BITW) failed to provide any meaningful price support. Technical analysis using the Fixed Range Volume Profile for 2025 identified the Value Area High at $120 and the Value Area Low at $83. After trading above the VAH in early October, LTC experienced the "10/10 crash," which shifted market equilibrium to near-total seller domination.
Despite attempts to defend the $80 level in November, the selling pressure proved overwhelming. With this key support now broken, analysts identify $73.4, $66.5, and $59.6 as the next major support levels targeted by bears. The 1-month liquidation heatmap shows liquidity around $73 has been swept, with a bounce currently in progress that may retest the "magnetic zone" between $82 and $83.
Market sentiment remains predominantly bearish. Traders are advised to remain cautious, with the recent loss of significant support, bearish price structure, and lack of buying pressure on higher timeframes all pointing downward. The $80-$84 area, if retested, is now viewed as strong resistance. Some analysts suggest shorting any bounce with targets at $66 and $59.
While a less likely bullish scenario exists—where a market-wide sentiment shift and cascade of short liquidations could propel LTC past $90—the prevailing outlook is negative. The future of Litecoin remains heavily tied to Bitcoin's performance; further weakness in BTC would likely trigger new selling pressure in LTC. Despite the bearish short-term outlook, some long-term projections remain optimistic, with bullish targets ranging from $250 to $300, contingent on breaking and holding above key resistance levels at $120 and $180.
