Fed Cut Boosts Bitcoin

Bitcoin prices have broken out to their highest level in three weeks on the back of yesterday’s FOMC meeting. Trading higher amidst the broad pick up in risk appetite on the back of the Fed’s .5% rate cut, BTC is now up around 18% off the September lows.  The pickup in demand suggests that ETF inflows are back in action following a lull over recent weeks as trader’s braced for the Fed meeting.

BTC Shrugs Off Downside Risks

There was plenty of speculation ahead of the meeting regarding how a larger Fed rate cut might impact BTC. One view was that a larger cut would signal a higher level of concern among Fed policymakers, spooking markets and sending BTC lower amidst a drop in risk appetite. However, Powell’s reassurance around the health of the labour market and his insistence that larger cuts are not to be expected appear to have smoothed any negative impact from a larger cut. Traders instead are focusing on the projected 1.5% of easing within the update dot plot forecasts through the next year which should keep risk appetite well supported provided jobs data doesn’t spiral lower.

Trump Headlines

Alongside the developments at the Fed, BTC is also receiving a boost today from the latest headlines around Trump. The presidential candidate was seen paying with Bitcoin at a University burger bar in New York last night, a publicity move as part of his ongoing attempts to woo the crypto community. The move reaffirms Trump’s commitment to Bitcoin, raising the prospects of a fresh ‘crypto gold rush’ should he win in November.

Technical Views

BTC

The rally in BTC has seen the market breaking out above the 60,695 level and above the bear trend line from July highs. While above here, the focus is on a continued push higher and a test of the bear channel highs next, with 69,355 above. To the downside, 60,695 and 57,215 remain key support to watch.