Crypto Market Holds Breath: BTC and ETH Under Macro Pressure
The crypto market is holding its breath as BTC and ETH face significant macroeconomic pressure. The week concludes on a cautious note. BTC is hovering around $65,970, marking a 4.2% decline over the past seven days. ETH follows a similar trend, trading at $1,983, a 6.1% retreat. Trading volumes are down 15% compared to the previous week, indicating widespread anticipation and caution. Analysis: The Weight of Macro Uncertainties. Several factors contribute to this stagnation: 1. U.S. Interest Rates: The Federal Reserve maintained its rates at 5.5% on Wednesday, as anticipated. However, the hawkish tone of the communiquĂ© – stating “no imminent cuts” – dampened market enthusiasm. Risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, bore the brunt of this. 2. European Regulations: The European Parliament adopted an amendment on Thursday, strengthening reporting obligations for stablecoins. USDT and USDC saw their combined market capitalization drop by 2%, indirectly impacting altcoins. 3. Bitcoin Halving Nears: With 18 days until the Bitcoin halving (scheduled for April 23), the market is processing a slowdown in mining activity. The hashrate has fallen by 8% this week, as some miners have idled their machines in anticipation of reduced rewards. Outlook: Consolidation Amidst Potential Catalysts. In the short term, the $64,000–$67,000 range for BTC appears to be holding. A test of $63,000 cannot be ruled out if macroeconomic concerns persist. For ETH, the $1,900 support level is crucial.
