Bitcoin steadies near $78,000 as gold rallies, altcoins consolidate after best week in 3 years

Bitcoin steadied near $78,000 as gold rallied and altcoins consolidated after a strong week that marked altcoins' best performance in three years. The market appears to be in a consolidation phase with reduced volatility around current BTC levels amid profit-taking and rotation into gold and select altcoins. This stabilization suggests Bitcoin could be forming a base for a potential next leg higher if buying momentum persists, but downside risk remains if safe-haven flows into gold intensify or liquidity conditions change.