Previewing Today's 'Most Important Jobs Report' ? What It Means For Bitcoin

BY Benzinga | ECONOMIC | 07:48 AM EST

Ivory Hill Wealth founder Kurt S. Altrichter predicts three possible scenarios how markets could react following today’s unemployment data report.

What Happened: In a thread posted on X on Jan. 8, Altrichter outlined three potential scenarios:

  • A “too hot” report triggering a market selloff.
  • A “just right” report sparking a broad relief rally.
  • A “too cold” report initially boosting markets before concerns arise over economic growth.

These vastly different outcomes highlight the significant volatility expected in response to the upcoming data release.

A “too hot” outcome, characterized by over 200,000 jobs added and unemployment dipping below 4.1%, is expected to trigger a notable selloff.

Equities would fall over 1%, with Treasury yields spiking toward 5%, thereby pressuring stocks.

Although Altrichter does not specifically mention cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) would likely follow stocks lower if his prediction turned out to be correct.

Conversely, a “just right” scenario, with 50,000 to 200,000 new jobs, unemployment between 4.1% and 4.3%, and wage growth at or below 4.0%, would spark a broad relief rally.

This would include modest gains across all indices, with tech and small-caps leading the way. Both asset classes tend to be correlated with cryptocurrencies.

In the case of a “too cold” report, featuring fewer than 50,000 jobs added and unemployment exceeding 4.3%, the initial reaction would be a rally driven by expectations of rate cuts.

However, growth concerns would then quickly take over, placing pressure on cyclical sectors.

Also Read: Bitcoin, Ethereum ETFs See $742 Million In Outflows, Supply Shock Unlikely In 2025, Report Shows

Why It Matters: The founder of Ivory Hill Wealth emphasized that markets are on edge and that a "too hot" outcome represents the largest risk, due to the possibility of Treasury yields reaching 5%, amplifying a broad selloff.

Altrichter suggested that a "Goldilocks" number, between 100,000 and 125,000 new jobs, would serve as the best outcome for calming Fed fears and initiating a solid relief rally.

Under the “too hot” scenario, small-cap stocks would lead declines, while technology and industrial sectors would only slightly outperform other sectors.

Gold would fall due to a stronger dollar and oil would hold up due to demand expectations.

Under a “just right” scenario, Treasury yields would drop approximately 10 basis points, weakening the dollar slightly, and gold would rally, with most sectors rising with tech, financials, cyclicals ? and likely cryptocurrencies ? leading.

In the "too cold" scenario, Treasury yields would drop sharply, while the dollar would weaken significantly, causing a notable gold rally; defensive sectors would outperform, helping to cushion overall market losses while cyclicals would lag behind.

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Image: Shutterstock

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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.

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