Bitcoin experienced a significant price drop coinciding with the opening of Wall Street on March 14. The fall came in response to new US macroeconomic data that renewed fears about persistent inflation. During the day, the cryptocurrency saw a 3.3% decrease, sliding below the $71,000 mark, and had yet to show signs of recovery at the time of reporting.
Unexpected Inflation Data Spooks Investors
Recent US Producer Price Index (PPI) figures exceeded expectations for February, signaling that high inflation is likely to continue. This data added to the existing concerns raised by recent unemployment claims and the Consumer Price Index (CPI), painting a challenging picture for the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions.
Following the release of the inflation data, financial commentator Tedtalksmacro suggested that the Federal Reserve might maintain higher interest rates for an extended period. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), as per the speculation, seemed unlikely to reduce rates at its upcoming March 20 meeting. Forecasts from the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool indicated a mere 6.2% chance of an interest rate cut in the May FOMC meeting.
Market Analysts Offer Perspectives on Bitcoin’s Volatility
Prominent investor and analyst Rekt Capital took a measured approach to Bitcoin’s current price activity. He pointed out that volatility is expected near all-time highs and that the market often requires time to stabilize before continuing its trend. His statement indicated that after the turbulence settles, a phase of price discovery is likely to follow.
Another perspective came from investor Jelle, who noticed that Bitcoin tends to strengthen during later US trading hours despite initial weaknesses at market open. Analyst Daan Crypto Trades echoed these observations, noting that the cryptocurrency’s price fluctuations are most pronounced during US market hours, with recoveries often occurring by the session’s end and into the Asian trading session.