Crypto markets are already recovering from their dip earlier this week, with a move higher today. This uptick in momentum may have been driven by the latest rates outlook from the US Federal Reserve.
The US central bank held its December Federal Open Market Committee meeting on December 13. In a broadly expected move, Fed officials left interest rates unchanged at 5.5%.
Interest Rates Remain Unchanged
However, with inflation falling, predictions for 2024 were more optimistic. There was a suggestion of three rate cuts in 2024, which pushed crypto and US stock markets higher.
Macroeconomics outlet The Kobeissi Letter commented that this was the first significant mention of rate cuts in 2024 by the Fed, adding:
“However, markets are currently pricing in up to 6 rate cuts in 2024. Market expectations remain far more dovish than the Fed itself.”
Read more: How To Prepare for a Bitcoin ETF: A Step-by-Step Approach
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said,
“Inflation has eased from its highs, and this has come without a significant increase in unemployment. That’s very good news.”
He added, “We are likely at or near the peak rate for this cycle.”
Global head of market strategy at TradeStation, David Russell, noted that there was “a big change in the language that indicates policymakers see less need to aggressively tighten.”
Inflation maxed out at 9.1% in June of 2022. However, year-over-year inflation fell to just 3.1% in November. Fed officials have now predicted that it will drop to 2.4% next year and 2.1% in 2025.
Moreover, central bank officials are projecting GDP growth of 1.4% and an unemployment rate of just 4.1% next year.
Investors are now primed for the “Santa Claus Rally,” commented Gina Bolvin, President of Bolvin Wealth Management Group.
Crypto Markets Bounce
American bourses were not the only things to move on the Fed’s dovish pivot. Crypto market capitalization has jumped 5% on the day to reach $1.68 trillion at the time of writing.
Moreover, markets have pretty much recovered from this week’s leverage flushout.
Bitcoin was trading at just under $43,000 at the time of writing, following a 4.9% gain on the day.
The asset now looks primed to return to its 2023 highs of $44,000 should the momentum continue.
Meanwhile, Ethereum had gained 5.1% on the day to reach $2,272 at the time of writing.
Altcoins were performing well, with double-digit gains for Solana, Cardano, Avalanche, and Polkadot.
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