Michaël van de Poppe’s recent comment that “crucial resistance at $180” could be the springboard for a larger move has put fresh eyes on Bittensor’s native token, TAO, as traders weigh whether the AI + crypto narrative still has fuel left. On X, the Dutch analyst suggested that a clean break above $180 would open the door toward roughly $250 as the next major resistance, a short, clear roadmap that many in the market are now watching.
Market data shows TAO trading around $191 as of this writing, positioning the token just around the $180–$195 decision band that traders are discussing. CoinMarketCap lists TAO’s price and market-cap metrics in real time, and the token sits within the top 50 by capitalization, showing how much attention an AI-focused coin can still draw.
The project behind TAO, Bittensor, bills itself as a decentralized, incentive-driven network for AI, a marketplace where compute and models are rewarded in TAO, and where Proof-of-Intelligence-like mechanisms aim to value contributions from validators and researchers. That underlying narrative has helped TAO decouple from traditional altcoin behavior at moments of positive headlines around AI, and it’s the reason traders like van de Poppe highlight TAO when talking about the AI <> crypto thesis.
AI-Crypto Momentum Puts TAO Back on Radar
Exchange data and orderbook glimpses also tell part of the story. TAO pairs are actively traded across major venues, and recent 24-hour ranges and volumes show the token has liquidity to fuel a swift move if buyers step in decisively. Some exchange pages report intraday highs near the mid-$190s, sketching a short-term volatility window for anyone tracking the $180 threshold closely.
Technically, the chart action in early March looks like a classic consolidation after a steep prior downtrend: price hovering below a well-defined resistance line, limited daily range, and a handful of higher lows that suggest buyers are attempting to build a foothold. Volume has picked up in pockets, which is encouraging for bulls, but the $180 level remains the control point.
If TAO can close convincingly above that line with follow-through volume, momentum traders will likely target the next supply zones, with $250 showing up on many watchlists because it represents an area of prior price congestion. If buyers fail, expect retests of the recent support band and a return to range trading.
Beyond the chart, TAO’s story is part of a larger market narrative. 2026 has already seen AI-linked tokens gain renewed interest, and exchanges and analysts are publishing scenarios that range from measured rallies to more ambitious targets. For now, the path is simple: a break above $180 could validate the bullish take; a rejection would hand control back to the bears. Traders will be watching orderflow, volume, and whether broader crypto risk appetite continues to favor narrative-driven names.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Bitcoin Rebounds to $74K on U.S.-Iran Framework Deal, But Market Skepticism Remains
Bitcoin's recent rise to mid-$74,000 followed a risk asset rally linked to a U.S.-Iran nuclear framework, but skepticism remains due to flat Treasury yields and unchanged gold prices. The core issue of uranium enrichment persists, and while on-chain data shows BTC's gradual advance, options markets reflect doubts about a sustained breakout. Overall, analysts see the rally as temporary, with macro conditions still tight and potential downside risks.
GateNews10h ago
Cardano Traders Watch $0.243 Support Level as ADA Price Faces Critical Decision
Cardano (ADA) is at a crucial support level of $0.243, with potential gains to $0.30 if it holds. A daily close below this could lead to declines toward $0.10. Currently, trading volume is around $500 million, with ADA notably below its all-time high.
GateNews11h ago
ETH/BTC Price Ratio Rebounds to 0.0313 in Q1 2026 as Ethereum User Base Surges 82%
In Q1 2026, the Ethereum-to-Bitcoin price ratio reached a three-month high at 0.0313. Ethereum added 284,000 users and surpassed $180 billion in stablecoin supply. Bitcoin remained strong above $74,000, driven by significant ETF inflows.
GateNews16h ago
Why is Bitcoin up today? Trump says Iran is seeking a truce, and risk assets move higher across the board
On April 15, Bitcoin rebounded about 6% after Trump said Iran is seeking to reach an agreement, breaking above $75,000. Expectations for the resumption of U.S.-Iran negotiations warmed up, lifting Asian stock markets. Technically, roughly $6 billion worth of short positions were forced to close, accelerating the rebound. Analysts said that if the U.S.-Iran situation continues to ease, Bitcoin could break through $80,000, and they predicted it may reach $150,000 by year-end.
MarketWhisper20h ago
Bitmine is promoted to the NYSE main board! Tom Lee: US stocks may be at a bottom, and selling pressure on Ether could ease
Bitmine officially transferred from the NYSE American market to the main board, marking a significant milestone for the company. Despite a sharp drop in its share price, it still increased the share repurchase program to $4 billion. The company holds a large amount of Ether, and expects that a rebound in the crypto market will help improve its assets and share price performance.
CryptoCity20h ago
ETH 15-minute up 0.66%: On-chain large transfers in sync drove a net inflow of funds, boosting spot buying pressure
2026-04-15 00:00 to 00:15 (UTC), ETH shows a local anomaly. The 15-minute return rate is +0.66%. The trading price range is 2321.93–2343.2 USDT, with a range of 0.92%. During this period, market attention increased, volatility slightly intensified, buy pressure in the order book shifted upward in the short term, and quickly pushed spot prices up into a key resistance area.
The main drivers of this anomaly are large on-chain transfers and inflows of capital in combination. At the beginning of the window, multiple large ETH transfers appeared, including 8,676 ETH and 6,551 ETH, respectively, transferring from a large source to the
GateNews21h ago
