3 Key Picks for Late December

The crypto market remains cautious, but some tokens are facing important tests this week. As prices move sideways, attention is shifting toward three altcoins to watch in the third week of December. Each has a specific catalyst approaching, from supply changes to network events and shifting holder behavior.

These setups could drive sharp moves if buyers or sellers take control in the days ahead.

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Sei (SEI)

SEI has been under steady pressure heading into mid-December, and price action reflects that caution. The token is down roughly 23% over the past month and more than 60% over the last three months, keeping sentiment fragile as the market looks for direction.

At the time of writing, SEI trades near $0.124, consolidating inside a broader falling wedge structure on the daily chart. This pattern often appears late in downtrends, where selling pressure slows, and the price begins to compress. For now, SEI is hovering just above the lower boundary of that structure, making the next few sessions critical. That tension qualifies SEI to be on the altcoins to watch list.

Momentum indicators offer a mixed but interesting signal. Between December 5 and December 14, the SEI price made a lower low, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) formed a higher low. RSI measures momentum strength, and this bullish divergence suggests sellers may be losing control, even as price remains weak.

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That said, near-term risk remains elevated due to SEI’s scheduled token unlock on December 15. Around 55.56 million SEI, roughly 1.08% of the circulating supply, is set to enter the market. Token unlocks often increase short-term selling pressure, especially when broader sentiment is cautious.

Key levels define the setup clearly. A clean move above $0.159 would signal that buyers are absorbing unlock-related supply and could open a rebound toward higher resistance zones. That includes $0.193 and even higher.

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On the downside, a drop of roughly 3% from current levels, to $0.120, risks a breakdown toward the lower trendline. That would weaken the bullish divergence thesis.

Bittensor (TAO)

Bittensor price action has compressed into a tight range ahead of its upcoming halving, setting up a clear decision point. TAO has been trading inside a symmetrical triangle on the daily chart, showing balance between buyers and sellers after weeks of downside pressure. That kind of buyer-seller tussle makes it one of the top altcoins to watch in the third week of December.

TAO is down around 15.5% over the past month and roughly 6.6% over the last seven days. Short-term weakness continues, but volatility has dropped, which often appears before larger moves. This structure reflects indecision rather than outright bearish control.

The halving acts as the key backdrop. Bittensor’s halving reduces token emissions, tightening new supply. Historically, such events do not guarantee immediate upside, but they often act as a catalyst when the price is already compressed.

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From a technical view, the first bullish trigger sits near $301. A daily close above this level would break the upper trendline of the triangle and signal renewed strength. That move opens a path toward $321, followed by $396 if momentum builds and broader market conditions cooperate.

Downside risk remains. $277 is critical support. A breakdown below it weakens the structure and exposes $255, with $199 as a deeper risk zone if sentiment deteriorates.

Aster (ASTER)

Aster stands out as one of the altcoins to watch in the third week of December because of a clear tug-of-war between whales and the broader market.

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On-chain data shows aggressive whale accumulation heading into this week. Over the past seven days, whale-held ASTER balances jumped by about 42.7 million tokens, rising from roughly 39.85 million to 82.54 million ASTER. That is a 107% increase, signaling strong conviction from large holders ahead of the third week of December.

At the same time, exchanges tell a different story. Exchange balances took a 10.48% jump. This suggests possible retail selling even as whales accumulate.

That buyer-seller conflict is also visible on the chart. ASTER has been correcting since November 19 but is now compressing inside a triangle pattern, reflecting indecision. During this phase, a hidden bullish divergence has formed. Between November 3 and December 14, the price made a higher low while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) made a lower low, which often signals exhausting selling pressure.

That’s often associated with price rebounds. If this setup plays out, the first level to watch is $0.94. A daily close above it would break the triangle resistance and open the path toward $0.98, followed by a potential 16% move to $1.08 if momentum builds and whale support persists.

On the downside, losing $0.88 would invalidate the bullish divergence and expose $0.81, shifting control back to sellers.