Avalanche defends KEY support: Why AVAX traders watch $18 next

Investors are focused on project growth, and the Avalanche [AVAX] ecosystem reflects this trend.

AVAX recorded a milestone of 1.7 million Daily Active Addresses, fueled by real adoption in DeFi, tokenization, and RWAs. This surge drove the token’s price up, signaling rising institutional confidence.

Unlike previous speculative spikes, this growth is supported by tangible developments, including institutional filings and allocations.

As demand for its blockchain increases, Avalanche is positioning itself as a serious, institutional-grade infrastructure for scalable finance. The key question is whether this momentum can be sustained as AVAX targets higher price levels in 2026.

Taker Buy strengthens bullish sentiment 

The Taker Buy dominance in the AVAX market remained strong throughout January 2026, signaling bullish sentiment. As Taker Buy volumes rose, AVAX’s price showed resilience, particularly when it dipped below $12. 

The dominance of Taker Buy activity during price surges indicated that investors were committing to long positions, which helped maintain upward pressure on the price.

Despite short-term fluctuations, this buying activity signaled continued market strength.

Why whales are eyeing the $12 mark

Whales aggressively accumulated AVAX around $12, with CryptoQuant data showing a surge in activity when the price dipped to $11.32. 

Their buying pressure kept the price above $12. This pattern indicated strong belief in AVAX’s long-term potential, as whales continued to show confidence despite market fluctuations.

Will AVAX’s momentum continue?

AVAX showed resilience, holding above $12 amid growing market activity. The daily chart suggested an ascending triangle, a bullish pattern that could indicate further growth if the $15.36 resistance was broken. 

The price was expected to face strong resistance at $18.52, with potential to rally toward $24.18 if momentum persisted. 

However, caution emerged from RSI and MACD signals at press time, and a drop below $11 could have driven the price down to $8.60. 

Traders were advised to closely monitor key support and resistance levels in the weeks ahead.

Final Thoughts

• AVAX continued to show strength, supported by increased network activity and whale buying pressure. 
• Institutional interest, combined with record-high active addresses, positioned AVAX for potential price growth in 2026.