Litecoin (LTC) is leading a recovery even as the broader cryptocurrency sector turned bearish in recent trading sessions. A spike past the $100 mark has come on huge trading volume, affirming renewed trader interest in the coin.

Litecoin Fresh Gains

Bulls have regained control, in recent trading sessions, after bears threatened to push the altcoin below the $70 mark. A spike past the $100 mark also comes 17 days away from the much-awaited halving event.

The halving is poised to result in a reduction in the amount of LTC that miners get rewarded, on the addition of a new block. The halving should result in the reduction of LTC coins in supply, something poised to strengthen the price even further given the forces of supply and demand.

The confirmation that the Litecoin Foundation has struck a strategic partnership with the Miami Dolphins is another catalyst fuelling the LTC bullish run. Under the terms of the agreement, the football club is to receive payments pegged on LTC for the 50/50 raffle. The partnership should result in increased LTC usage, a key to enhancing mainstream adoption of the coin.

Litecoin is likely to continue powering high as it is currently trading above the 50-Day Simple Moving Average and the $89 support level. The formation of an ascending trend line also looks set to continue supporting price rebounds above the $100–102 psychological mark. A breach of the $90 support level could trigger a pullback to the $76–78 support area.

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Emerging Tailwinds

Litecoin’s surge also comes amidst heightened pressure across the market. Regulatory pressures are slowly creeping up. The US government insists that cryptocurrencies pose a significant danger to national security, a sentiment that has gone on to rattle traders.

Sentiments by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and President Donald Trump that cryptocurrencies are a tool for criminals also appear to have spooked traders. France has also piled pressure on the burgeoning sector by insisting that they cannot accept Facebook’s Libra without strict rules.

In contrast, former presidential candidate Ron Paulis is in support of the least amount of regulation on cryptocurrencies.

At the time of writing, Litecoin is trading at $98, up by 4%. LTC has recovered almost 25% from Wednesday’s low of $77.