While volatility is effective in the Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency markets, all eyes are on the FED's December interest rate decision today.
As is known, the FED made its first interest rate cut in September and made an aggressive start to the discount cycle with a 50 basis point cut decision. The FED also made a 25 basis point rate cut in November.
After September and November, dollar, gold, stock market and cryptocurrency investors closely follow the December decision, which is the last interest rate decision of 2024, while the questions of whether the FED will continue to cut interest rates and by how much continue to be important for investors.
When Will the December FED Interest Rate Decision Be Announced?
The FED will announce its December interest rate decision on December 18, 2024 at 22:00.
In Which Direction Are Expectations Focused?
The FED interest rate decision, which global markets are eagerly awaiting, will be announced today. The FED last reduced the interest rate to 4.75 percent in November.
While the general expectation in the market is that the FED will reduce the policy rate by 25 basis points in December and the interest rate will fall to 4.5 percent, analysts expect the FED's interest rate decision text and FED Chairman Jerome Powell's statements to have an impact on BTC and cryptocurrency prices.
At this point, after the interest rate decision, FED Chairman Jerome Powell will make a statement at 22:30 Turkish time.
The latest employment and inflation data released in the US have strengthened expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates for the third time at its last meeting of the year and lower the policy rate by 25 basis points, while Oxford Economics US Chief Economist Ryan Sweet said, “Our forecast that the Fed will cut interest rates by 25 basis points in December and then pause the rate cut in January still stands.”
Sweet added that they expect three interest rate cuts of 25 basis points each for 2025.
How Is Bitcoin Expected to Move?
While the critical FED interest rate decision and Powell's statements are awaited, Bitcoin took a pause after exceeding $ 108,000.
While this pause includes the FED's decision and the expectation that Powell will make more hawkish statements against increasing inflation, K33 Research analysts Vetle Lunde and David Zimmerman stated that the FOMC meeting will increase BTC and market volatility.
Analysts stated that they expect volatility to increase after the FOMC meeting, and that the macroeconomic environment will remain relatively stable after the FOMC meeting, which will pave the way for Bitcoin to gain upward momentum.
Analysts recently said that Bitcoin is poised for a holiday rally with the expected volatility following the FOMC meeting.
*This is not investment advice.
