Bitcoin Price Wavers Amid Stock Market Selloff
As of this writing, the Nasdaq was set to close 10% below its record peak last month, falling 2.9% on the day. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average had dropped more than 2% each, setting stocks up for one of their worst trading days since 2022.
Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 had fallen 5.8%, as the stock market index for the Tokyo Stock Exchange posted its worst day since March 2020. The punishing route Friday represented a continuation of selling spurred by manufacturing data Thursday.
Bitcoin and Crypto Market Volatility
- The price of Bitcoin fell sharply over the course of a couple of hours on Friday, diving 4.4% to around $62,500 from $65,400.
- While Bitcoin’s price was still slightly up on the day at a current price of around $63,170, Ethereum and Solana fell nearly 3% to $3,025 and over 4% to $155, respectively.
US Jobs Report Impact on Cryptocurrency
- The Labor Department reported on Friday that the unemployment rate had ticked up to 4.3% in July, representing its highest level since October 2021.
- Job growth in July was below the average monthly gain of 215,000 over the prior 12 months, according to the Labor Department.
- Friday’s report sparked fears that the U.S. economy could be sliding into a recession as the highest interest rates in 22 years present higher borrowing costs for businesses and consumers.
Market Speculation and Investor Sentiment
At the conclusion of this week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), Fed Chair Jerome Powell suggested that the U.S. central bank is focused on the U.S. labor market. As the pace of inflation slows toward the Fed’s 2% goal, Powell said that jobs have come more into focus.
Hot Take: The Future of Crypto Investments
Given the current market volatility and economic uncertainty, it is essential for crypto investors to stay informed and prepared for potential fluctuations. Keep an eye on economic indicators and government policies that could impact the crypto market in the coming months.
Sources:
- CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/02/japans-nikkei-set-for-almost-4percent-plunge-as-asia-markets-poised-to-open-lower.html
- Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/sp-500-nasdaq-futures-rise-rate-cut-hopes-prevail-meta-jumps-2024-08-01/
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
- Trading Economics: https://tradingeconomics.com/calendar
- Federal Reserve: https://www.federalreserve.gov/mediacenter/files/fomcpresconf20240731.pdf