Bitcoin Loses Momentum and Breaks Below $87,000
A Fed decision to keep rates unchanged would likely add short-term downward pressure, reducing investor appetite for risk.
Quick overview
- The cryptocurrency market is slightly down as investors await signals from U.S. policymakers, with Bitcoin trading at $86,705.
- Ethereum and major altcoins like XRP and BNB have also retreated, reflecting overall market stress.
- The Federal Reserve's recent meeting indicates a majority oppose a December rate cut, complicating the economic outlook amid high inflation.
- The September jobs report shows strong job creation but rising unemployment, leaving the Fed's future decisions uncertain.
The cryptocurrency market is trading slightly lower as investors await clear signals from U.S. policymakers. Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at $86,705 after briefly plunging to $88,610 on Wednesday.
Ethereum (ETH) is down 2.3% to $2,875, while major altcoins also retreat, including XRP (-3.1%), BNB (-1%), and Lido Staked Ether (-2.9%).
Fed uncertainty after key jobs data
The Federal Reserve’s most recent meeting revealed that a majority of officials oppose a December rate cut, despite growing divisions within the committee. The anticipated 25-basis-point reduction now appears unlikely, as the U.S. economy remains weakened by the prolonged government shutdown and inflation remains stubbornly high.
Against that backdrop, September’s long-delayed labor market data was finally released on Thursday. After a negative revision for August (-4,000 jobs), the U.S. Labor Department reported that 119,000 jobs were created in September, well above expectations. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4% from 4.3%, slightly above the 4.3% forecast and brushing against the Fed’s informal upper comfort limit of 4.5%.
Bitcoin struggles to regain momentum
Crypto markets continue to show signs of stress as Bitcoin remains unable to reclaim the $90,000 level. A Fed decision to keep rates unchanged would likely add short-term downward pressure, reducing investor appetite for risk assets in an environment of tighter monetary conditions.
Global markets mixed
U.S. equities are trading lower:
- S&P 500: -0.87%
- Nasdaq Composite: -1.27%
- Dow Jones: -0.60%
Meanwhile, European markets are mostly higher:
- Euro Stoxx 50: +0.33%
- Germany’s DAX: +0.63%
- France’s CAC 40: +0.34%
- UK FTSE 100: +0.21%
In Asia, performance was uneven:
- Hong Kong’s Hang Seng: +0.02%
- Shanghai Composite: -0.40%
- Japan’s Nikkei: +2.63%
A mixed employment report complicates the Fed’s path
The September jobs report paints a contradictory picture—robust job creation paired with rising unemployment and downward revisions. That mix leaves all options open ahead of the Fed’s December 10 policy meeting.
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