Bitcoin reacted swiftly, dropping from around $102,000 to below $95,000, taking the rest of the market with it. Ethereum, Cardano, and other major cryptocurrencies followed suit. The sudden drop highlights the influence of regulatory uncertainty on crypto prices
The following are the reasons…
1. Profit-Taking Hits After Massive Rallie: The past few months have seen crypto prices soar. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and other major altcoins experienced massive gains of over 50% in the past 3 months, with Bitcoin even crossing the $100K mark.
However, as prices rise, investors look to lock in their profits. This wave of profit-taking puts selling pressure on the market, leading to a broader sell-off. When big investors, or “whales,” start liquidating their positions, it triggers a chain reaction of selling, resulting in sharp price declines.
For example, Cardano recently dropped below the key $1 support level, and Ethereum slipped below $4,000, all after failing to break through critical resistance points. This pattern is common during bull runs, as investors look to cash out at higher prices.
2. Federal Reserve Policy Changes Shake Markets: The U.S. Federal Reserve plays a massive role in shaping investor sentiment. Recently, the Fed signaled that it would slow down interest rate cuts in 2024, contradicting earlier expectations of a more aggressive rate-cutting strategy.
This shift in policy hit the stock market and the crypto market simultaneously. Investors often view crypto as a high-risk, speculative asset. So when the Federal Reserve adopts a less accommodative monetary policy, risk assets like crypto experience higher volatility and selling pressure.
The shift in sentiment is largely driven by fears of tighter liquidity, as higher interest rates make it more expensive for investors to borrow and deploy funds into speculative assets like crypto. As a result, Bitcoin’s price fell below $100K, and Ethereum followed with a crash below $4,000.
3. Jerome Powell’s Shocking Statement About Bitcoin
The most unexpected blow to the crypto market came from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. In a recent press conference, Powell stated that the Federal Reserve is not allowed to hold Bitcoin and has no intention of changing that policy.
Powell's exact words were:
"We’re not allowed to own Bitcoin. That’s something for Congress to consider, but we are not looking for a law change at the Fed."
This statement shattered hopes that the U.S. might one day hold Bitcoin as part of its national reserves. While many investors had speculated that the Fed could begin accumulating Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, Powell's comments made it clear that this idea is off the table for now.