After making strong gains recently, Stellar's XLM token has retreated 1.61% over the past hour to $0.1571. While a minor hourly decline, analyzing the full slate of metrics provides important context.

Stellar currently has a $4.39 billion market cap, positioning it as the 20th largest cryptocurrency. Over the past 24 hours, XLM trading volume reached $327.69 million. Looking at the percentage changes over different timeframes shows:

• 1-hour change: -1.61%
• 1-day change: +10.92%
• 7-day change: -2.72%
• 1-month change: +67.56%
• 6-month change: +69.74%

This data highlights XLM's incredible momentum over the past month and especially 6 months. However, some slowing of its vertical ascent has emerged in the past day and week.

The question becomes whether this represents a healthy pullback within a broader uptrend, or exhaustion signaling a trend reversal. Analyzing key support levels and technical indicators provides important clues.

What's driving Stellar's mixed recent price action?

Stellar serves as an open-source payment network, facilitating cross-border transactions between currencies and assets. Its adoption depends heavily on real-world usage and integrations.

On that front, Stellar has seen several promising developments lately. For example, leading Latin American e-commerce platform MercadoLibre recently announced support for purchases using Stellar's USDC stablecoin.

Stellar also has growing DeFi presence, with new yield farming protocols and liquidity pools launching over the past couple months. These real-world use cases strengthen conviction in XLM's utility.

However, investors also appear cautious about overheated conditions after XLM's parabolic rally in 2022. Some speculation of a broader macro reversal from the Fed's interest rate hikes adds to the uncertainty.

In this context, a moderation of Stellar's vertical trajectory is likely healthy. It allows time for technical and on-chain indicators to reset before a potential continuation of the uptrend.

What key levels should traders watch for XLM?

When analyzing an asset's chart, crucial support and resistance levels stand out as guides. Observing how price behaves around these technical areas provides insights into overall market conviction.

Key levels for Stellar traders to monitor include:

• Support at $0.135: This zone provided a reliable floor through much of June and July. Remaining above it would establish a new higher low.
• Resistance at $0.20: XLM faced selling pressure each time it approached this threshold over the past few months. Overcoming it would signal a breakout.
• 2022 high of $0.28: Reaching this peak from late April would indicate a bull run resuming in full force.

Of course, news developments could rapidly change the outlook. But tracking XLM around these levels will demonstrate whether buyers retain control.

In particular, reclaiming the $0.20 level would confirm the bullish structure remains intact. Traders can watch for a daily close above $0.20 coupled with rising volume to signal the all clear for upside continuation.

Conclusion

Despite its short-term decline, Stellar's mix of metrics underscores a cryptocurrency still firmly in an overall uptrend. The latest integration wins and DeFi growth highlight real-world adoption. Monitoring key support around $0.135 and resistance at $0.20 will indicate when traders can re-enter for the next leg higher. While some consolidation was due after 200%+ gains, XLM appears poised to eventually renew its bull run. Traders can watch for a decisive break above $0.20 to signal the next liftoff is imminent. Although risks remain, Stellar's strong real-world utility provides a tailwind.