Bitcoin Surges to $39K as Powell's Remarks Fuel Speculation of Fed Rate Hike Discontinuation
ICARO Media Group
In an exciting market reaction to the latest Federal Reserve inflation commentary, Bitcoin (BTC) rallied to reach $39,000, a level not seen since mid-2022. The surge in Bitcoin's price comes as investors eagerly anticipate a potential easing of policies by the United States Federal Reserve.
Charts from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView confirmed that BTC hit a new 19-month high of $39,000 on Bitstamp. Bitcoin bulls were able to overcome resistance as Fed Chair Jerome Powell addressed the audience at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.
During his scheduled appearance, Powell stressed that it would be premature to conclude whether a sufficiently restrictive stance had been achieved or speculate on when policy might ease. However, his cautious tone was seen as a positive sign for risk assets, including Bitcoin.
"The FOMC is strongly committed to bringing inflation down to 2% over time and to keeping policy restrictive until we're confident that inflation is on a path to that objective," Powell stated in prepared remarks. This statement sparked optimism among market participants, who interpreted it as a potential indication of a pause in interest rate hikes by the Fed.
Despite a muted response to earlier macro data prints, Bitcoin capitalized on the positive sentiment generated by Powell's speech. Traders and investors eagerly await the upcoming meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in mid-December, during which any changes to interest rates will be announced.
According to data from CME Group's FedWatch Tool, market expectations on December 1 heavily favored a pause in interest rate hikes. This aligns with the narrative that the Fed would prefer to avoid a resurgence of inflation and would rather endure a mild recession if necessary.
As Bitcoin continues to make substantial gains, with its price surging beyond $39,000, traders such as Daan Crypto Trades have noted the significant sell-side liquidity involved in this recent uptick.
The optimism surrounding Bitcoin's price trajectory extends beyond the $39,000 mark, as investors eagerly anticipate further gains. The cryptocurrency market remains attentive to both the actions of the Federal Reserve and the overall economic landscape as it awaits future developments.
Overall, Bitcoin's latest rally to $39,000 is indicative of growing confidence among investors in the face of a potential slowdown in interest rate hikes. As the cryptocurrency market continues to be influenced by external factors, market participants remain hopeful for further positive developments in the coming days and weeks.