Market Overview: Tether/Argentine Peso (USDTARS) on 2026-01-16

Summary
• Price consolidated in a tight range between $1512.0 and $1519.1, with bearish 5-minute momentum toward session close.
• A key support at $1512.0 was tested twice, while resistance at $1519.0 failed to hold on multiple attempts.
• Volume and turnover expanded during early AM hours, followed by a sharp contraction in volatility post-15:00 ET.

24-Hour Snapshot

At 12:00 ET on 2026-01-16, Tether/Argentine Peso (USDTARS) opened at $1518.7 and traded between $1512.0 and $1519.1 before closing at $1515.5. Total volume over 24 hours was 747,600 units, with notional turnover reaching approximately $113.06 million.

Structure & Formations

Price action formed a bearish flag pattern within a descending channel between $1512.0 and $1519.1 on the 5-minute chart. . A large bearish engulfing candle at 13:45 ET confirmed a breakdown from recent resistance, pushing the price to a low of $1510.5. A key support at $1512.0 was later retested and held twice, suggesting possible short-term stability.

Moving Averages

The 20-period and 50-period moving averages on the 5-minute chart remained in a bearish bias, with the 20-line crossing below the 50-line earlier in the session. On the daily chart, the 50-period MA sat above $1515.0, while the 200-period MA indicated a long-term bullish bias.

Momentum Indicators

RSI fluctuated in a narrow range between 40 and 60, suggesting low conviction in either direction. A bearish divergence appeared as price made new lows after 13:45 ET, while RSI did not. MACD showed a bearish crossover early in the session and remained in negative territory, indicating declining bullish momentum.

Volatility and Bollinger Bands

Bollinger Bands tightened during the early AM hours, signaling a contraction in volatility, but then expanded as a breakdown from the flag occurred. Price closed below the 20-period lower band, suggesting increased bearish pressure in the near term.

Volume and Turnover

Volume spiked during the 13:45–14:15 ET timeframe, coinciding with the breakdown from $1519.0 and the formation of a large bearish candle. Turnover expanded in line with this, reinforcing the price move. However, post-15:00 ET, both volume and turnover declined, pointing to a possible pause in the move.

Fibonacci Retracements

Key retracement levels for the recent 5-minute swing were at 38.2% ($1515.8) and 61.8% ($1513.5). Price held above the 61.8% level during the afternoon but closed near it, suggesting potential support. On the daily chart, the 61.8% retracement of the previous major bullish move remains at $1511.0 and could act as a near-term floor.

Over the next 24 hours, USDTARS may continue to test the $1512.0 support, with a possible bounce or breakdown depending on macro sentiment and Argentina’s dollar reserve conditions. Investors should remain cautious of divergence between price and momentum indicators, as it could signal a potential reversal or continuation.