Bitcoin (BTC) is eyeing a classic breakout move that preceded both its 2017 and 2021 all-time highs.

In an April 12 X post, popular trader Jelle flagged a key crossover due on Bitcoin’s Pi Cycle Top indicator.

Bitcoin Pi Cycle Top breakout tantalizingly close

Pi Cycle Top is a classic Bitcoin bull market observation tool. Consisting of two moving averages, it has consistently delivered macro top signals for BTC price action.

Now, Jelle notes, price is coiling beneath the indicator’s longer-timeframe trendline — the 2X multiple of the 350-day moving average, currently at $76,000, per data from on-chain analytics firm Glassnode.

“Once Bitcoin breaks the Pi Cycle moving average — all bets are off,” he wrote in accompanying commentary.

“It's currently consolidating right below it — just like it did in 2020.”

Pi Cycle Top effectively measures that moving average with Bitcoin’s shorter-term 111-day counterpart. Macro tops come when the latter crosses the former.

BTC price consolidation well within historical norms

As Coitnelegraph continues to report, BTC/USD has spent multiple weeks consolidating around its previous all-time highs of $69,000 set in November 2021.

Related: Bitcoin RSI points to short-term gains as metric signals BTC price top

While such price action has unnerved some market participants, others, including Jelle, see it as healthy behavior around such a critical psychological line in the sand.

In both 2017 and 2020, Bitcoin made similar moves, consolidating at all-time highs for 50 days and 2021 days, respectively.

“Currently we’re sitting at 37 days of consolidation around the previous all time high,” fellow trader Daan Crypto Trades wrote in part of a recent X post on the topic.

Continuing, Jelle maintained a near-term BTC price target of more than $80,000.

“This ascending triangle has a target of $82,000,” he explained alongside a chart showing current market structure.

“I doubt bears can defend $71,500 for much longer. Bring on price discovery.”

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.