#1 FOMC Meeting: Dovish Remarks By Jerome Powell Fuel Optimism
As reported yesterday, the macro environment came back into focus for Bitcoin and crypto following the hotter than expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) inflation data in the US. Investors seemed to have de-risked their positions prior to the FOMC event. However, investors got a favorable outcome.
The pivot point for Bitcoin’s rally can be traced back to the Federal Reserve’s latest FOMC meeting, where Chairman Jerome Powell delivered a speech that the market interpreted as dovish. The Fed’s stance, especially in light of recent inflation data, has reassured investors. Crypto analyst Furkan Yildirim a summary of the FOMC’s key points: “The ‘Dot Plot’ projections show that the median official expects three quarter-percent cuts in 2024 […] The FOMC voted unanimously to leave the federal funds rate unchanged […] The median forecast for PCE inflation remains unchanged at 2.4% for 2024 […] Officials have also raised forecasts for where they see interest rates in the long term.” The reaction to these announcements was immediately bullish in the traditional finance markets as well as Bitcoin and crypto. QCP Capital, a Singapore-based crypto asset trading firm, the dovish nature of the FOMC’s stance: “1. In Powell’s press conference speech, he was not concerned about the high inflation numbers in Jan and Feb. 2. In the dot plot, more members shifted their projection to 3 cuts in 2024 (9 members vs 6 in Dec).” Analyst Ted (@tedtalksmacro) further the positive implications: “FOMC summary: – 3x rate cuts happening this year despite inflation remaining above 2% (Fed expects core PCE at 2.6%). Growth outlook upgraded. Send it.”#2 Coinbase Premium Turns Green: A Sign Of Spot ETF Demand
The Coinbase Premium’s shift to positive territory can be identified as another critical factor influencing Bitcoin’s price movement. While yesterday’s ETF flows were negative again for the third day in a row, the Bitcoin Coinbase Premium was a glimmer of hope that spot Bitcoin ETFs will further fuel price.
CryptoQuant analyst Maartunn remarked: “Coinbase Premium is positive again. It’s around +$50. Beautiful.” The Coinbase Premium is crucial for BTC price in recent months as it reflects the demand from spot Bitcoin ETFs before the actual numbers are released one day later. Coinbase custodies eight of 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs or about 90% of the Bitcoin ETF assets as a result. Thus, Coinbase premium is crucial for a continued rally.
Coinbase Premium is positive again. It's around +$50. Beautiful 😁 — Maartunn (@JA_Maartun)
Yesterday's ETF flows were negative again for 3rd in a row. had $386.6 million worth of outflows.
I have a suspicion that the actual flows will only be visible in tomorrow's numbers. We pumped… — WhalePanda (@WhalePanda)
Blackrock with only $49.3 million of inflows and Fidelity with $12.9 million.
#3 BTC Price Breaks Out Of Downtrend Channel
On the technical front, Bitcoin’s breakout from a parallel downtrend channel has caught the attention of traders and analysts alike. Daan Crypto Trades highlighted the importance of this movement on X (formerly Twitter): “Bitcoin tested its 4H 200MA/EMA and has been holding nicely there and broke out. Still watching this channel which will dictate BTC’s next move.”Tested its 4H 200MA/EMA and has been holding nicely there and broke out. Still watching this channel which will dictate 's next move. Bulls would want to see this consolidate above and not fall back into the channel. — Daan Crypto Trades (@DaanCrypto)