Chainlink's price traded near $9.73 today as traders weighed short-term weakness against a larger cycle setup.Chainlink's price traded near $9.73 today as traders weighed short-term weakness against a larger cycle setup.

Chainlink Price Steadies as Market Watches Macro Breakout Case

2026/05/18 03:43
3 min read
For feedback or concerns regarding this content, please contact us at crypto.news@mexc.com

BraveNewCoin data showed LINK up 1.01% over 24 hours, with a $7.08 billion market cap and $238.28 million in trading volume.

The move kept LINK below the $10 level after a choppy week. However, analysts on X continued to point toward a broader accumulation structure, with some comparing the current zone to earlier phases that came before larger upside moves.

LINK Trades Below $10

Chainlink’s short-term chart showed LINK sliding from above $10.80 earlier in the week before stabilizing near $9.73. The technical chart showed the price falling sharply on May 16, then moving sideways between roughly $9.60 and $9.80.

That range suggests sellers lost some momentum after the steep drop. Even so, LINK has not yet reclaimed the $10 area, which remains the first level that traders may watch for a stronger recovery attempt.

The TradingView MACD also showed weak momentum. The MACD line sat below the signal line, while the histogram remained slightly negative. This means the short-term structure has not fully shifted back to buyers.

Meanwhile, volume rose during the sell-off and cooled during the sideways move. That pattern shows traders reacted strongly to the break lower, but follow-through selling has slowed near the current support area.

Analysts Watch Old Accumulation Zone

Analyst DongPham said he previously gave a LINK buy zone between $5 and $9 in the last cycle. He noted that holding from that area would still not be a loss, although he missed the chance to take profits when expectations became too high.

His X chart shows LINK building a long base after the 2021 peak, then attempting a recovery into 2025. It also shows a projected path where LINK may spend more time around the current zone before a larger move later in the decade.

The analyst also marked $53.02, close to the old cycle high area. That level remains far above the current price and would require a major shift in market momentum.

However, the point of the chart is not only the target. It shows LINK returning to an old accumulation region after a long correction, which keeps the macro structure in focus even as short-term price action stays weak.

Institutional Setup Remains in Focus

Analyst Quinten Francois also highlighted Chainlink, calling it the “biggest institutional adoption” and “biggest setup in history.” His weekly chart shows LINK moving around a long-term support band near the $9 to $10 area.

The chart compares past moves where LINK rallied strongly after similar signals. One earlier move gained about 180%, while another advanced about 117%, according to the marked ranges on the chart.

Notably, the weekly MACD on the chart appeared to be curling upward from low levels, while RSI sat near 42. That does not confirm a breakout yet, but it shows LINK is trying to stabilize after a long decline.

Chainlink remains far below its all-time high of $52.70, with BraveNewCoin data showing an 81.54% drawdown from that level. A clean move back above $10 would improve the short-term picture, while failure to hold the $9.60 area could keep LINK trapped in its lower range.

Market Opportunity
NEAR Logo
NEAR Price(NEAR)
$1.5094
$1.5094$1.5094
-0.95%
USD
NEAR (NEAR) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact crypto.news@mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

No Chart Skills? Still Profit

No Chart Skills? Still ProfitNo Chart Skills? Still Profit

Copy top traders in 3s with auto trading!