XAUUSD is exhibiting a pElliott Wave pattern, with a completed 5-wave bullish impulse capped near resistance, followed by an A-B-C corrective structure that appears to be unfolding. Price action is confined within a broadening wedge, with strong resistance around the $3,450 level and key support near $3,100. The corrective wave A has broken a key trendline, and after a potential minor relief rally in wave B, a strong wave C decline toward the $3,100 zone is expected. Fundamentally, gold faces pressure from a resilient US dollar supported by hawkish Fed rhetoric and sticky inflation, while geopolitical tensions and central bank gold buying may limit downside in the medium term. Short-term bias remains bearish unless the price decisively reclaims the $3,450 resistance.