Bitcoin buyers came in early in yesterday’s North American session and pushed the price higher. The rally took the digital currency above both its 100- and 200-hour moving averages, shown by the blue and green lines on the chart below, and to its highest level since September 23.However, the break could not sustain momentum. The price quickly rotated back below both moving averages, and the upside push fizzled.The buyers had their shot. The buyers missed.Moving averages define the near-term biasThe two hourly moving averages remain key barometers for buyers and sellers:100-hour moving average: $83,721200-hour moving average: $84,013The current price is trading just below both, giving sellers a modest near-term advantage. Staying below those levels keeps the bias tilted to the downside.Conversely, a move above both moving averages—and sustained trading above them—would shift the bias back toward the buyers. Trading between the two defines a more neutral area. Bitcoin has spent time in that area today as buyers and sellers figure out which direction the next shove will take them.For now, sellers have the edge against the moving averages. However, they still have work to do below.Support keeps buyers in the battleSince breaking above the $81,517–$82,833 swing area on September 21, Bitcoin has generally held above the upper boundary at $82,833.There were dips below that level on September 28, but subsequent lows have stayed above it. That continued defense keeps buyers in play despite yesterday’s failed rally.The distinction is important: trading below the moving averages gives sellers a near-term advantage, but holding above the swing area limits their downside progress.What would give sellers more control?The first step would be to break below $82,833 and stay below it. That would put the price back inside the swing area and expose its lower boundary at $81,517.A sustained break below $81,517 would give sellers firmer control and open the door toward the next downside target area at $79,500–$80,200.Until those support levels give way, sellers have an advantage, but buyers still have a floor to lean against.What would give buyers more control?Buyers need to reclaim the 100-hour moving average at $83,721, followed by the 200-hour moving average at $84,013.Getting above both is the first step. Staying above them is what would give the break more credibility—something yesterday’s rally failed to do.If buyers can establish support above the 200-hour moving average, the next upside targets would be:$85,578: Yesterday’s swing high.$87,374: The September 21 and September 23 high area.A lesson for beginner traders: the break needs to holdYesterday’s price action is a reminder that moving above a technical level does not guarantee a lasting breakout. Buyers pushed through both moving averages, but the quick reversal showed they could not maintain control.Technical levels help traders define both a directional bias and a place to measure risk. Above both moving averages, buyers have a stronger argument. Below both, sellers have the advantage. Between them, the picture is more neutral.For Bitcoin, the next sustained move away from these levels should help resolve the battle. Sellers need to break support. Buyers need to reclaim and hold above the moving averages.In the video above, I walk through those levels and explain what buyers and sellers need to do to take more control of the next move. This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.