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Bitcoin price has been on a rollercoaster ride lately, with its value slipping under $100,000 during late U.S. trading hours before bouncing back slightly in early Asian hours. This dip comes after the Federal Reserve hinted at potential rate cuts in 2025, creating ripples in the market. Investors are now left wondering: Is Bitcoin heading for another crash, or is this just a temporary setback? In this Bitcoin price prediction article, we’ll explore the factors behind Bitcoin’s recent price movement and what they might mean for its future.
How has the Bitcoin Price Moved Recently?
Bitcoin is currently priced at $101,210, with a 24-hour trading volume of $113.26 billion, a market capitalization of $2 trillion, and a market dominance of 56.34%. Over the past 24 hours, its value has dropped by 2.56%.
The cryptocurrency hit its all-time high of $108,282 on December 17, 2024, while its lowest recorded price was $0.05 on July 17, 2010. Since reaching its ATH, Bitcoin’s lowest point was $98,805, with the highest rebound since that low being $101,405. Market sentiment around Bitcoin remains bullish, supported by a Fear & Greed Index score of 75, indicating a state of greed.
Bitcoin's circulating supply stands at 19.80 million BTC, with a maximum supply capped at 21 million BTC. The current annual supply inflation rate is 1.14%, with 223,638 BTC added to the supply over the last year.
Why Bitcoin Price Is Down?
The recent dip in Bitcoin's price can be attributed to a combination of macroeconomic signals and regulatory uncertainty. The Federal Reserve's hints about potential rate cuts in 2025 initially created some market optimism, but this was quickly overshadowed by remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Powell clarified that the central bank is not legally permitted to own Bitcoin, quashing speculation about the possibility of the U.S. government integrating Bitcoin into its strategic reserves under the incoming Trump administration. His statement further highlighted the absence of plans to seek legal changes, dampening investor sentiment.
This regulatory uncertainty, combined with market jitters over Trump’s campaign promise to retain and possibly expand the government’s seized Bitcoin holdings, has likely contributed to increased volatility. The prospect of a significant stockpile of government-controlled Bitcoin raises concerns about future market interventions or sell-offs, adding another layer of unpredictability to Bitcoin’s value trajectory.
Powell’s comments not only affected Bitcoin but also sent ripples across the broader cryptocurrency market. Major assets like XRP, DOGE, and SOL experienced declines of up to 5.5%, while LINK saw a sharp 10% drop following its earlier gains tied to Trump-backed World Liberty Financial’s token purchase. This widespread sell-off underscores the interconnectedness of market sentiment across cryptocurrencies and highlights how Bitcoin’s movements often serve as a bellwether for the industry.
Will Bitcoin Price Crash to $40,000?
The question of whether Bitcoin's price could crash to $40,000 hinges on a mix of macroeconomic factors, market sentiment, and regulatory uncertainty. Recent developments, including the Federal Reserve's revised projections and the incoming Trump administration’s policy promises, add layers of complexity to the market outlook.
The Federal Reserve's decision to lower the policy rate to the 4.25%-4.50% range and forecast two rate cuts in 2025 suggests an attempt to balance inflationary pressures with economic growth. While rate cuts typically signal easier financial conditions, which could support Bitcoin's appeal as a store of value, the Fed's acknowledgment of higher inflation risks and uncertainty surrounding President-elect Trump’s economic policies complicate the narrative.
Trump's proposed policies—higher tariffs, tax cuts, and stricter immigration controls—are widely expected to increase inflationary pressures. This aligns with the Fed's projection of core PCE inflation remaining at 2.5% through 2025, above its 2% target.
Persistent inflation could erode confidence in traditional assets, potentially driving more interest in Bitcoin as an inflation hedge. However, elevated inflation also increases the likelihood of tighter monetary policy in the medium term, which could weigh on speculative assets like Bitcoin.
Additionally, the market is grappling with the uncertainty introduced by Trump's promises to retain seized Bitcoin and potentially integrate it into government strategies. Such a move raises concerns about market interventions, including large-scale sell-offs that could destabilize Bitcoin’s price.
While Bitcoin’s price remains volatile, a crash to $40,000 appears unlikely in the immediate term, barring a significant macroeconomic or regulatory shock. Here's why:
- Inflation Hedge Demand: With inflation projected to stay above the Fed’s target, Bitcoin could retain its appeal as a hedge against rising prices, preventing a dramatic price collapse.
- Investor Support at Lower Levels: Bitcoin's slight recovery during early Asian hours indicates strong buying interest at lower price levels. This suggests that even with short-term declines, Bitcoin’s support levels are likely to stabilize well above $40,000.
- Policy Uncertainty and Risk Appetite: The market’s reaction to Trump’s policies, particularly their inflationary effects, will be a key determinant. If these policies exacerbate inflation risks, Bitcoin could see renewed demand as a non-sovereign asset.
However, several risks could increase the likelihood of a steeper decline:
- Regulatory Intervention: If the Trump administration’s plans for seized Bitcoin involve market sell-offs or restrictive regulations, this could trigger panic selling, putting downward pressure on prices.
- Macroeconomic Turbulence: Should the Fed revise its projections further, signaling tighter monetary policy or higher inflation risks, speculative assets like Bitcoin could face heightened selling pressure.
Bottom Line
While Bitcoin's journey to $40,000 remains within the realm of possibility under worst-case scenarios, its resilience as a decentralized asset and ongoing demand as an inflation hedge make a crash of this magnitude improbable in the near future. The next critical milestones will be clear guidance from the incoming administration and how markets react to evolving monetary and fiscal policies. Investors should brace for heightened volatility but also recognize the opportunities that Bitcoin's price fluctuations may present in this uncertain environment.