SENT launched on January 22 and immediately grabbed attention. Since the post-launch candle opening point near $0.010, the SENT price is up roughly 140%, even as the broader market stayed shaky. That strength matters. But short-term charts show something critical beneath the surface.
This price move is being driven by fast trades, not steady conviction. For now, SENT looks like a momentum playground, not a clean trend.
15-Minute Chart Shows Momentum Bursts, Not Follow-Through
On the 15-minute timeframe, SENT formed a clear double-bottom structure after launch. The neckline sits near $0.030, which is why traders are watching that level closely. A break above it would normally suggest continuation.
The problem is volume behavior. After the initial post-TGE surge, Sentient volume steadily faded. The only exception was one large green volume pillar, followed almost immediately by a smaller but still meaningful red pillar. That sequence is key.
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The green candle shows aggressive buyers stepping in, likely chasing a breakout or a quick price surge. The red candle that followed shows fast profit-taking. This is classic short-term behavior, likely by smart money or scalpers. Buyers push price, sellers respond quickly, and the move stalls.
In simple terms, momentum exists, but it is being sold into almost immediately. That is why the price keeps moving sideways instead of expanding higher. This is ideal for scalpers, but risky for traders expecting smooth continuation.
30-Minute And 1-Hour Data Point To Rotation, Not Conviction
When we zoom out slightly, the story becomes clearer.
On the 30-minute chart, the Chaikin Money Flow, or CMF, the big money tracker, has dropped below the zero line, while the price moves mostly sideways. Below zero means more capital is leaving than entering. Even though the price is holding, larger money or big SENT wallets are not committing yet.
For now, CMF needs to hold above the descending trendline to avoid a breakdown and massive capital outflow.
At the same time, the 1-hour On-Balance Volume, or OBV, is trying to break above a descending trendline. OBV tracks whether volume confirms price. Right now, OBV is rising (buyers supporting with the flattish price), but it still needs to push above roughly 1.09 billion to confirm buyers are in control (make a higher high). Until that happens, the breakout remains tentative.
When CMF weakens while OBV tries to break out, it usually means short-term buying is active, but larger capital is not committing yet. And even possibly selling the airdrop stash into strength, which explains the drop below the zero line.
The Smart Money Index adds another layer. While price drifted lower, the smart money line kept moving up. That usually signals quick entries and exits. That also explains the surging volume pillars on the 15-minute chart.
These momentum-driven theory lines up with exchange data as well. Exchange volume jumped about 384% in the past 24 hours. That level of activity points to heavy rotation as rising OBV confirms buying, and exchange inflows confirm selling intent and possible airdrop-led profit booking.
Together, these signals suggest that SENT is being actively traded, but conviction buying has not taken over yet.
