BTC recovery Friday

Trading notes for 2026-02-06

By Sean Weldon

TL;DR

BTC opened right at the daily POC with clear imbalances above, setting up an obvious push higher that materialized throughout the session. Both BTC and ES delivered a V-shaped recovery into the weekend, though it remains unclear whether this marks the end of recent liquidity grabs or represents a bull trap heading into lower volume weekend trading.

Market Context

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The market opened with textbook bullish setup conditions. BTC was positioned right at the daily Point of Control (POC) at the opening bell, which provided a natural launching pad for upward movement. The technical picture was further supported by clear highs and obvious imbalances sitting above current price levels from previous days' price action.

This type of setup - where price sits at a key level with clear targets above - often leads to the kind of momentum move we witnessed. The overnight session had essentially teed up the perfect scenario for bulls to step in aggressively at the open.

Thesis & Plan

The thesis was straightforward: with BTC sitting at the daily POC and clear imbalances above from recent price action, the path of least resistance was higher. The setup screamed for a push to fill those gaps and take out the obvious highs that had been left behind.

This wasn't a complex read - sometimes the best trades are the most obvious ones. When you have price sitting at a key level with clear targets above and no major resistance in between, you simply align with the momentum and let the market do the work.

Market Development

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The session played out exactly as anticipated. Both BTC and ES delivered impressive V-shaped recoveries that carried through the entire trading day. The momentum was consistent and powerful, suggesting institutional participation rather than just retail FOMO.

The fact that both crypto and traditional equity futures moved in tandem reinforces that this was a broader risk-on move rather than crypto-specific dynamics. This correlation often signals more sustainable moves, as it suggests real capital allocation decisions rather than isolated speculation.

What Worked

The setup identification was spot-on. Recognizing the significance of opening right at the daily POC while having clear targets above made this a high-probability trade from the start. The key was trusting the obvious setup rather than overthinking it.

The technical read proved accurate - the imbalances above acted as magnets, pulling price higher throughout the session. When you have this type of clean technical picture, the market often delivers exactly what the chart is telegraphing.

What Didn't

While the directional call was correct, the bigger question mark is around sustainability. V-shaped recoveries, especially heading into weekends, can sometimes be trap moves designed to shake out shorts before a continuation lower.

The timing - pushing into weekend trading when liquidity typically drops - adds an element of uncertainty. Weekend gaps and thin trading can easily reverse intraday gains if the broader market sentiment hasn't truly shifted.

Lessons Learned

Trust obvious setups: Sometimes the best trades are hiding in plain sight. When price is sitting at a key level with clear targets above and minimal resistance, don't overcomplicate the analysis. The market often delivers exactly what the technical picture suggests.

Watch for correlated moves: The fact that both BTC and ES moved together added conviction to the bullish thesis. When multiple asset classes align, it often signals genuine institutional flow rather than isolated momentum.

Weekend timing matters: While the move was successful intraday, the timing heading into weekend trading creates uncertainty about follow-through. V-shaped recoveries on Fridays need to be watched carefully for potential reversal patterns.

POC as a launching pad: Opening right at the daily POC provided the perfect entry point for momentum traders. These key levels often act as springboards when combined with clear targets above.

The session reinforced that sometimes the most profitable trades come from recognizing and acting on obvious setups rather than trying to find complex edge cases. However, the ultimate test will be whether this recovery has legs or represents a bull trap heading into next week's action.