In a surprising turn of events, the cryptocurrency market is experiencing a significant upswing today, with Bitcoin’s current value standing at an impressive $34,628. This surge in value follows a pivotal moment in the financial industry, as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) recently concluded its second-to-last meeting of the year, opting to maintain a steady stance on interest rates.
The Fed’s Role in the Crypto Market
Over the past year, the United States has grappled with skyrocketing inflation rates, reaching a staggering 9.1% in June 2022. To combat this issue, the Federal Reserve took a bold approach by implementing a series of interest rate hikes. These aggressive measures successfully brought the Federal Funds Rate to a range between 5.25% and 5.5%—a level not seen since 2001. This assertive strategy has proven effective, as inflation has slowed to a more manageable 3.7%.
Anticipation for the Next Financial Report
The next critical event on the horizon for the financial markets is the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation report, scheduled for release on November 14. A further decrease in inflation could trigger a wave of investments into riskier assets as investors speculate on potential interest rate cuts in upcoming FOMC decisions. Such a scenario could boost both equity and bond markets, with bonds experiencing lower yields and a flattening of the yield curve.
Crypto’s Connection to Traditional Markets
The cryptocurrency market is intricately connected to these broader financial movements, and Bitcoin is no exception. Its value is expected to mirror the trends seen in traditional markets.
The ETF Buzz
Adding an extra layer of excitement to the crypto space is the anticipated approval of the first U.S.-based Bitcoin spot ETF, predicted by J.P. Morgan to occur before January 10. The rumors surrounding BlackRock’s ETF application have already given Bitcoin a significant boost, pushing its value back to the $35,000 mark.
MicroStrategy’s Success with Bitcoin
Business intelligence giant MicroStrategy is riding the wave of optimism, boasting a paper gain of $900 million on its vast Bitcoin holdings. Since the third quarter, the company has been actively bolstering its cryptocurrency holdings, accumulating 6,067 Bitcoin, including an additional 155 in October alone.
Navigating the Current Market
Despite the current optimism, the market remains in a state of flux. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicates an overbought situation, suggesting that further consolidation may occur in the coming days. Bitcoin’s critical price levels now stand at $35,800 on the upper end and $33,000 on the lower end.
A drop below the support level could lead to Bitcoin retracting to its 20-day exponential moving average of $32,000, potentially setting the stage for a showdown between the bulls and the bears. Conversely, a breakthrough above $35,800 could signal a resumption of Bitcoin’s upward trend, possibly propelling its value toward the coveted $40,000 milestone.