Bitcoin price is range bound, and even though altcoins are rallying, the strong U.S. dollar could act as a significant barrier.
Stock markets in the United States continued their march higher last week, even after the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell dashed hopes of a rate cut in March. However, Powell did say that a rate cut would likely happen this year. Powell reiterated these views during his interview with CBS news show 60 Minutes.
Fed comments and strong macroeconomic data reduced expectations of rate cuts by the Fed to 120 basis points in 2024, down from 150 basis points at the end of last year, Fed funds futures showed. This pushed the U.S. dollar Index (DXY) to its highest level in 11 weeks.
Historically, Bitcoin (BTC) moves in inverse correlation with the U.S. dollar. Hence the strength in the greenback could act as a headwind for Bitcoin in the near term. A minor positive in favor of the bulls is the strong inflows into BlackRock and Fidelity’s spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in January, totaling about $4.8 billion. Continued inflows into the ETFs could limit the downside.
