Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates?Bitcoin Dominance May Rise As A Result

BY Benzinga | ECONOMIC | 11/08/24 11:25 AM EST

Crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen suggests that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) dominance might continue climbing, even as it hits his long-standing 60% target, following the Fed's recent 25 basis point interest rate cut.

What Happened: In an update on his YouTube channel, Cowen analyzed the Federal Reserve's decision to reduce rates to lowest level since February 2023 and maintain quantitative tightening by continuing to reduce its holdings in Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities.

He highlighted that Bitcoin's dominance has typically peaked (60%) only after quantitative easing (QE) starts. This time, he sees two possible scenarios: Bitcoin dominance could begin a topping process, or it might overshoot its peak before settling back.

He also emphasized monitoring Ethereum's (CRYPTO: ETH) performance against Bitcoin, as it plays a key role in dominance trends. Cowen recommended dollar-cost averaging in altcoins as the market heads into the post-halving phase.

Quoting the Federal Reserve’s press release, Cowen highlighted that the committee plans to "continue reducing its Holdings of Treasury Securities and agency debt and agency mortgage-backed Securities." He stressed the potential influence of this decision on the crypto market.

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

Also Read: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana Rally Does Not Mean All Cryptocurrencies Will Moon: 10x Research

Why It Matters: Despite his cautious outlook, Cowen anticipates Bitcoin will adhere to its cyclical behaviour. He warned, however, that a broader market correction could interrupt these patterns, impacting both Bitcoin and altcoins.

The Federal Reserve’s decision to lower interest rates has slowed the pace of rate cuts compared to September, when policymakers opted for a more substantial 0.5% cut to initiate the easing cycle.

A senior research strategist noted that that the Fed's gradual cuts toward a "neutral" 3% rate could be partly due to Trump's policies, including tariffs, which may have a reflationary effect.

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:?

  • Bitcoin As America’s Gold? How Trump’s Bitcoin Act Could Reshape US Reserves

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.

fir_news_article