Optimism (OP) has been gaining attention in the crypto market, with some analysts predicting a 60% rally if the token can break through a critical resistance level. Michaël van de Poppe, a well-known crypto analyst, has identified that once OP clears its $1.83 resistance, it could see a rapid price surge, potentially pushing the token toward higher price targets.

Van de Poppe’s optimism comes amid a broader push for Layer 2 solutions, like Optimism, which are beginning to mirror the success seen in Layer 1 networks. On-chain data, however, highlights an important factor that could influence OP’s price trajectory: whales. Approximately 84% of OP’s supply is held by large investors, signaling strong accumulation and suggesting that these whales may drive the next price surge.

Resistance and Support Levels for OP

At the time of writing, OP is trading at $1.77, marking a slight 1.35% increase in the past 24 hours. Despite this short-term gain, the asset remains locked in a tight range between $1.70 and $1.83, struggling to break past the $1.83 resistance level. Sellers have defended this price point, which has created a consolidation phase for OP.

If OP manages to break above $1.83, technical analysis indicates that the next major resistance level is at $2.00. Some analysts even predict that with favorable market conditions, the price could eventually target the $3.25 to $3.50 zone.

On the downside, the $1.70 level is seen as a critical support area. If the price fails to break through the $1.83 resistance and drops, a retest of $1.70 could be on the horizon.

Key Technical Indicators

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for OP currently stands at 55.07, suggesting moderate bullish momentum. The RSI indicates that the token is not yet in overbought territory, which could leave room for further upward movement. However, a decline in the RSI could signal a weakening bullish trend, which may result in a pullback to lower support levels like $1.70.

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator provides a more positive outlook, with the MACD line currently above the signal line. Positive histogram bars indicate that buying pressure is still present, although the narrowing of the histogram suggests that momentum may be slowing.

Whale Activity and Market Trends

One of the most significant factors influencing OP’s price action is the presence of whales in the market. On-chain data shows that 84% of OP’s supply is held by large holders, indicating that whales continue to have a substantial impact on the token’s price movements.

Recent market activity has been robust, with $1.25 billion in large transactions over the past week. In addition, net exchange inflows of $366,040 suggest that there is increased trading and potential accumulation by market participants. These signs point to the possibility of further price gains if bullish sentiment continues.

Currently, 50% of OP holders are in profit, while 41% are at a loss. This distribution shows a balanced market position, with more traders benefiting from the recent rally than those facing losses. With such a high concentration of holdings by large investors, any significant price movement could be heavily influenced by whale actions.

Optimism’s Correlation with Bitcoin

Optimism also has some correlation with Bitcoin, with a measurement of 0.42. This suggests that OP’s price movements are partially influenced by broader market trends, especially those involving Bitcoin. As Bitcoin continues to dominate the crypto market, its price movements could directly impact Optimism’s performance.

Conclusion: What’s Next for Optimism?

With 84% of OP held by whales and a predicted 60% surge after breaking through the $1.83 resistance, the outlook for Optimism looks promising. However, much will depend on whether the price can clear the critical resistance level. If OP can break through this barrier and maintain its momentum, the next stop could be $2.00, with even higher targets possible if market conditions remain favorable.