ATH: When your crypto hits the sky (what to do next)

If you ever bought BTC at $20k and saw it rise to $69k, you experienced something that all traders fear and covet: the All Time High (ATH).

What really happens at ATH?

ATH is not just a pretty number on the screen. It’s the point where the market splits: those who want to sell (to take profits) and those who want to buy (believing it will keep rising). Historically, after each Bitcoin (2013, 2017, 2021) ATH, the price almost always retraces between 30-80% before recovering again.

The psychology of ATH

When you see your coin “touching the sky,” your brain does two dangerous things:

1. Extreme FOMO: “I have to buy now or I’ll miss the next ATH”
2. Irrational euphoria: Ignoring technical risk signals

Statistically, 70% of traders who buy at ATH end up selling at a loss afterward.

Strategies that work

1. Use Fibonacci to read the market

From the lowest price to ATH, apply the ratios: 23.6%, 38.2%, 61.8%, 78.6%. These act as psychological support and resistance levels. If the price drops and bounces exactly at 61.8%, you’ll know the market is controlled.

2. Moving Average (MA) as a compass

If the price is above the 200-day MA = sustainable bullish trend. If it falls below = danger.

3. Analyze the 3 phases of breakout

• Action: Price breaks resistance + high volume
• Reaction: Momentum weakens, initial sellers enter
• Resolution: The market decides: does it continue or rollback?

What to do if you’re already at ATH?

Option 1: Hold everything (only if you believe in the long term and the analysis confirms it)

Option 2: Partial sell (the smartest move for 90% of traders)

• Use Fibonacci to identify possible new ATH (1.270x, 1.618x, 2.0x)
• If those levels coincide with key resistances, sell 50-70%

Option 3: Sell everything (if Fibonacci extensions point to imminent collapse)

The golden rules

✓ Only increase positions if the price is touching support from the MA
✓ Set profit targets BEFORE entering (don’t wait for ATH)
✓ If ATH occurs on low volume = false rebound, be careful
✓ Never FOMO buy at ATH without an exit plan

Important data

Since 2015 to today, after each Bitcoin ATH:

• Average initial rollback: 45-55%
• Time until new ATH: 6-18 months

If you understand these dynamics, ATH becomes an opportunity, not a trap.

What was your experience at the last ATH? Did you sell, buy, or just watch?