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All Eyes on Fed Reserve Rate Announcement, as Bitcoin Fights for $11K

With the Fed's decision on rates due later Wednesday, bitcoin traders will be watching the U.S. dollar action.

Updated Sep 14, 2021, 9:56 a.m. Published Sep 16, 2020, 11:43 a.m.
Bitcoin prices since late Monday (CoinDesk BPI)
Bitcoin prices since late Monday (CoinDesk BPI)

While bitcoin's dips have found buyers, the cryptocurrency is struggling to clear the important psychological hurdle of $11,000 ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate decision due later Wednesday.

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  • The cryptocurrency found bids near $10,675 during the early Asian trading hours, but faced rejection near $10,940 around 08:00 UTC, according to CoinDesk's Bitcoin Price Index.
  • Bitcoin has failed twice in the past 24 hours to absorb selling pressure just below $11,000.
  • At press time, bitcoin is changing hands near $10,850, representing a 0.58% gain on the day.
Bitcoin hourly chart
Bitcoin hourly chart
  • The slight pullback this morning has weakened the case for a move above $11,000 put forward by a bull flag breakout confirmed during early European hours.
  • On the downside, the higher low of $10,675 created early Wednesday is the level to beat for the bears.
  • Price volatility may pick up following the Federal Reserve's rate decision, due at 18:00 UTC.
  • The Fed is expected to keep interest rates unchanged and reiterate its willingness to tolerate high inflation.
  • In other words, interest rates are likely to remain low for a prolonged period – a bullish development for scarce assets like bitcoin and gold.
  • Markets, however, have already factored in this likelihood, according to Reuters.
  • The focus, therefore, will be on the Fed's growth and inflation forecasts.
  • According to BK Asset Management's Kathy Lien, the U.S. dollar may find buyers if the Fed is more positive on economic growth. In that case, bitcoin will likely face selling pressure.
  • Investment banking giant Goldman Sachs has already upgraded the U.S. third quarter gross domestic product forecast to 35% from 30%.
  • If the Fed announces more stimulus measures, the dollar would likely drop, potentially powering stronger gains in bitcoin.
  • Bitcoin has become more sensitive to action in the U.S. dollar over the past 2.5 months.

Also read: First Mover: Bitcoin Investors the Sane Ones as Federal Reserve Cheers Inflation, Price Nears $11K

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Solana CME Futures Fell Short of BTC and ETH Debuts, but There's a Catch

Solana CME futures first-day activity compared to BTC and ETH debuts. (CME/K33 Research)

When adjusted for asset market capitalization SOL's relative futures volume looks better, K33 Research noted.

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  • Solana's SOL futures began trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) on Monday, with a notional daily volume of $12.3 million and $7.8 million in open interest, significantly lower than the debuts of bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) futures.
  • Despite the seemingly lackluster debut, when adjusted to market value, SOL's first-day figures are more in line with BTC's and ETH's, according to K33 Research.
  • Despite the bearish market conditions, the launch of CME SOL futures offers new ways for institutions to manage their exposure to the token, said Joshua Lim of FalconX.