What Does The Fed's Interest Rate Cut Mean For Bitcoin? 50 Bps Cut Is The 'Sweet Spot,' Says Macro Analyst

BY Benzinga | ECONOMIC | 09/19/24 11:52 AM EDT

The Federal Reserve has initiated its long-anticipated easing cycle, potentially setting the stage for a bullish trend in risk assets, including Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and other cryptocurrencies, according to industry experts.

What Happened: Economist and crypto analyst Alex Kr?ger took to his X account to highlight the Fed’s decision to implement a 50-basis point cut while projecting an additional 50 basis points of cuts for 2024.

This balanced approach, Kr?ger suggests, has struck a “sweet spot” by addressing concerns about the Fed falling behind the curve while simultaneously demonstrating control rather than reactionary measures.

For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, Kr?ger sees a bullish outlook for Bitcoin, though he cautions that its trajectory may be heavily influenced by the upcoming U.S. election results.

He even suggested a bold strategy for altcoins: “For altcoins, go max long early in Election Night if Trump is coming up ahead in the counts. That’s my plan.”

Kr?ger emphasized the robust state of the U.S. economy, a factor he considers crucial for risk assets. He pointed out a historical trend: "Historically when the Fed begins its easing cycle with no recession, equities have rallied 10% in six months, while if the Fed begins the cycle in a recession, equities have fallen by 12%.”

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full">Benzinga Future of Digital Assets conference</figure>

Also Read: Analyst Predicts Energized Crypto Market After Fed’s Decision: Says Bitcoin, Ethereum, And DeFi Set To Rally Amid Anticipation Of Further Rate Cuts: ‘The Bull Market Has Started’

Why It Matters: Economic strength was echoed in Fed Chair Jerome Powell's statement: "I don’t see anything in the economy that suggests the likelihood of a downturn is elevated. You see growth at a solid rate, you see inflation coming down, you see a labor market that’s still at very solid levels."

However, Kr?ger also tempered expectations, noting that U.S. equities are not cheap and that a return to a real negative rates environment is unlikely in the near future. He observed a significant divergence between market expectations and Fed projections for 2025, with the market pricing in a 25% probability of a hard landing.

In conclusion, Kr?ger’s analysis suggests that while the Fed’s easing cycle could boost risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, investors should remain vigilant of economic indicators and political developments that could shape market trends in the coming months.

What’s Next: The influence of Bitcoin as an institutional asset class is expected to be thoroughly explored at Benzinga’s upcoming Future of Digital Assets event on Nov. 19.

Read Next:

  • ‘91% Chance Local Top Is In,’ Says Trader Ahead Of Pivotal Rate Cut Decision

Image: Shutterstock

In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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