Bitcoin Shows Resilience Despite Falling Interest Rates
Despite the decreasing interest rates in the United States, Europe, and the U.K., Bitcoin remained relatively stable in September and even saw a 4.7% increase. This performance is one of the strongest since 2012 and 2016 when BTC experienced significant growth.
Potential for Higher Highs in Bitcoin
Currently trading around $27,300 as of October 3, Bitcoin has risen by approximately 10% from its September lows. Traders are optimistic about the coin’s future and believe that it may continue to reach higher highs. The strong upward momentum in late September and early October indicates a positive start for Q4 2023.
Rising Interest Rates Impacting Crypto
The increase in interest rates has put strain on regional banks, with some even declaring bankruptcy in Q1 2023. Additionally, higher interest rates attract capital away from cryptocurrencies and towards the bond and treasuries market due to their perceived safety.
Inflation and Potential Rate Hikes
As of October 3, the U.S. Federal Reserve has maintained interest rates between 5% and 5.25%. Inflation has risen to 3.7% in August after steadily declining from a peak of 8.2% in September 2022—the highest rate in nearly three decades. The Federal Reserve aims to keep inflation around 2%, which increases the likelihood of Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, raising rates in the next meeting. Such a move can significantly impact crypto liquidity and the prices of top coins like Bitcoin.
Historical Impact of Rate Increases
In 2022, when the Federal Reserve increased rates, Bitcoin prices plummeted from their 2021 highs and dropped below $16,000 in November 2022. This decline in crypto prices had a negative effect on crypto platforms, leading to bankruptcies for major exchanges such as FTX.
Fitch Downgrades U.S. Treasuries
U.S. treasuries are typically considered safe investments since they are backed by the government’s credit. This means that the government is committed to repaying its debt and the associated yield on time and in full. However, last August, Fitch Ratings downgraded the credit rating of the U.S. government from AAA to AA+. The agency expressed concerns about deteriorating governance related to fiscal and debt matters over the past few decades, predicting that the situation would worsen in the coming years.
Hot Take: Bitcoin Holds Steady Despite Economic Challenges
Despite economic factors such as falling interest rates and potential rate hikes, Bitcoin has remained resilient and even showed growth in September. Traders are optimistic about its future performance, with expectations of reaching higher highs. However, it’s essential to monitor the impact of inflation and interest rates on crypto liquidity and prices moving forward.