Bitcoin Faces Continued Pressure Amid Fed’s Hawkish Stance

Bitcoin traded marginally lower on Monday, reflecting ongoing caution among investors as macroeconomic uncertainties and hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve continued to weigh on risk assets.

Market Performance

Bitcoin declined by 0.7%, trading at $95,445.4 as of 00:41 ET (05:41 GMT), extending a losing streak in five of the past six sessions. This follows last week’s sharp drop when the cryptocurrency fell below the $100,000 mark.

Fed’s Hawkish Tone Dampens Sentiment

The recent pullback in Bitcoin’s price coincided with the Fed’s announcement of a more hawkish stance, signaling only two interest rate cuts for the upcoming year instead of prior expectations of a faster pace of easing. This adjustment has led investors to scale back their appetite for speculative assets, including cryptocurrencies.

From Record Highs to Profit-Taking

Bitcoin had hit an all-time high of $108,244.9 last Tuesday, buoyed by enthusiasm over a potential strategic Bitcoin reserve. However, profit-taking soon set in, dragging prices lower and resulting in Bitcoin’s first weekly decline since Donald Trump’s election victory.

Trump Comments on Bitcoin’s Performance

Speaking at an event in Phoenix, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged Bitcoin’s recent record-breaking rally, offering his congratulations to the cryptocurrency market.

Broader Outlook

While Bitcoin remains far above its yearly lows, the current environment of reduced risk appetite and monetary policy uncertainty poses challenges. Investors are likely to remain cautious in the short term, awaiting further clarity on macroeconomic conditions and regulatory developments.

Bitcoin’s near-term trajectory will depend on how the market interprets signals from the Fed and the broader macroeconomic landscape.