Bittensor (TAO) has remained impressively resilient in early May, holding its bullish structure even as broader market sentiment wavered. Despite a recent 4.5% pullback in Bitcoin — from $98,000 to around $93,500 — TAO maintained steady ground, consolidating just beneath a critical resistance level at $373. Bulls appear to be preparing for a potential breakout move, with technical indicators suggesting that the $480 mark could soon be in sight.

TAO Finds Strength at Key Support Levels

Over the past ten days, TAO has consistently defended the $336 support zone. This price level has emerged as a short-term floor for the altcoin, providing a base for a range-bound structure between $336 and $373. While many altcoins reacted sharply to Bitcoin’s recent volatility, Bittensor has managed to hold its ground, hinting at growing investor confidence and underlying strength.

The one-day chart reinforces the bullish bias, with price consistently trading above both the 20-period and 50-period moving averages. The fixed range volume profile highlights the Point of Control (PoC) at $357, a level that has acted as a magnet for price consolidation and reflects heavy trading interest.

Momentum Building Toward a Breakout

TAO’s price behavior over the last month supports the bullish case. After flipping its swing structure by surging past $270 in mid-April, the altcoin rallied to $373 — which also aligns with the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level from its previous high.

The On-Balance Volume (OBV) on the daily chart has been trending slowly upward, suggesting that buying pressure is accumulating, even during periods of sideways price action. This slow build-up often precedes explosive moves when resistance levels are tested.

Should TAO break above $373 with conviction, the next target lies near the $480 mark, aligning with the Value Area High and a previous zone of heavy liquidity.

Short-Term Picture Shows Caution

However, the 4-hour chart paints a more neutral picture in the short term. While the broader market structure remains intact, the OBV has shown no meaningful uptrend on the H4 timeframe. Instead, it has formed a horizontal range, mirroring the price’s consolidation behavior between $336 and $373.

Additionally, moving averages on the lower timeframes are crisscrossing without a clear directional trend, confirming the current state of indecision. Still, bulls continue to defend the $357 PoC level, and a short-term bounce of around 4.5% toward the upper resistance at $373–$375 is likely.

Liquidity Map Points to Strategic Levels

One of the most telling indicators comes from the liquidation heatmap, which shows a significant cluster of liquidation levels between $380 and $390. These liquidity pockets often act as magnets, drawing price toward them before sharp reactions occur.

A move to sweep this liquidity zone could trigger a brief spike above resistance before a potential retracement. If TAO fails to maintain momentum after hitting the $380–$390 region, it may pivot downward, targeting the next support band between $318 and $330 — a region with visible liquidity buildup.

Bitcoin’s Role in the Bigger Picture

Bitcoin remains a crucial factor in TAO’s trajectory. If BTC can recover above the $95,700 level in the coming sessions, it would likely boost sentiment across the altcoin market. Under these conditions, TAO would be well-positioned for a breakout that could carry it toward $480 and possibly beyond.

However, should Bitcoin fail to regain strength, traders should remain cautious and prepare for volatility, including a potential liquidity hunt that temporarily shakes out weak hands before a broader rally.

Conclusion

Bittensor’s technical setup suggests that a significant move may be on the horizon. With the $336 support firmly defended and the $373 resistance repeatedly tested, a breakout could unlock new upside potential toward $480. Still, traders should remain alert to the possibility of short-term fakeouts or liquidity sweeps as the market navigates Bitcoin’s next steps.

As TAO continues to coil like a spring, all eyes will be on whether the bulls have enough momentum to drive the next leg of this altcoin’s rally.