Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies saw a decline in value on Wednesday, largely due to the impact of major tech company results on broader market sentiment. The Federal Reserve’s decision, expected later in the day, could serve as the next catalyst for the crypto market.
Bitcoin’s price has fallen 1.5% in the past 24 hours, dropping to $42,850 after briefly trading near $44,000. While the largest digital asset recently crossed the psychologically significant $40,000 mark, it still remains well below its recent peak of over $48,000. This peak was reached during the trading frenzy surrounding the approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
As the hype around Bitcoin ETFs subsides and new market dynamics settle in, analysts are shifting their focus to factors beyond the world of cryptocurrencies. This week has been especially eventful, with a range of catalysts emerging. Bitcoin tends to move in parallel with the stock market when there is a lack of major crypto news, tracking alongside the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500.
This week, investors are closely watching Big Tech earnings as a key indicator for the stock market. Microsoft and Alphabet’s latest results have been under scrutiny. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s upcoming monetary policy decision holds significant importance. All eyes are on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s press conference, which will shed light on shifting expectations regarding when the central bank may begin cutting interest rates.
The direction of interest rates is expected to have a substantial impact on cryptocurrencies. Digital assets, similar to stocks, are highly sensitive to changes in borrowing costs. Meanwhile, Friday will bring the release of the U.S. jobs report for January—a leading economic indicator that could further influence rate expectations.
Beyond Bitcoin, Ether—the second-largest cryptocurrency—gained less than 1%, reaching $2,320. Smaller tokens experienced mixed results, with Cardano declining by 4% and Polygon witnessing a 2% increase. Memecoins, on the other hand, saw a decline, with Dogecoin and Shiba Inu each dropping by 2%.
