The crypto market is showing a cautiously bullish sentiment despite growing concerns around Federal Reserve policies and market volatility.
Market’s Cautious Sentiment Amid Fed Decisions
A recent analysis from centralized exchange Blofin has outlined a cautiously optimistic outlook among crypto investors, driven by better-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from September. This data has affected projections on the future of interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The market currently expects only a total of 45 basis points (bps) in rate cuts for the rest of 2024. In addition, the options market anticipates a single 25 bps reduction in 2024, followed by a pause into early 2025. This restrained approach signals the Fed’s reduced capacity for aggressive liquidity measures.
At the same time, the MOVE index, which tracks volatility in U.S. Treasury yields, surged to its highest level since June 2024. The broader market also reflected rising volatility, indicating investor unease despite the relative resilience shown by the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) and U.S. equities. However, falling equity risk premiums highlight potential market vulnerabilities if unforeseen shocks arise.
Crypto Options Market Shows Growing Optimism
In the crypto realm, both Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) saw significant price surges. Analysis by GEX highlighted the absence of clear resistance levels, suggesting potential continued price movements. However, this also highlights the market’s fragility, with current price levels becoming hard to sustain if investor sentiment changes.
The options market has shown a more optimistic skew, though it remains in a neutral range. This shift indicates increasing confidence among investors, but not yet a full-blown bullish sentiment. Additionally, the rising tail risk pricing since late September underscores persistent fears of potential “extreme negative events.”
Despite these uncertainties, Bitcoin has seen a notable rally, currently trading at $65,970, up over 5% in the last 24 hours. Yet, the market remains in a delicate state as macroeconomic conditions and Fed policies continue to weigh heavily on investor sentiment.
