Crypto Market Awaits US Elections & FOMC: Volatility Ahead?

Key Takeaways:

1. Heightened Volatility Expected: The crypto market faces a critical week with the US elections and FOMC meeting, stirring significant market speculation and triggering recent price declines.
2. Major Liquidations: Bitcoin and Ethereum saw declines, contributing to over $238 million in liquidations in just 24 hours, impacting thousands of traders across multiple exchanges.
3. Impact of U.S. Election: With recent polling shifts, a Trump win could positively influence the crypto market, given his pro-crypto stance, though uncertainty may keep volatility high.
4. Possible FOMC Rate Cut: The Federal Reserve is expected to reduce rates by 25 basis points, potentially boosting investor risk appetite and encouraging crypto market gains.
5. Bullish Sentiment Remains: Despite market drops, the Fear-Greed Index shows continued “greed,” suggesting optimism and potential for buying activity in Q4.

The crypto market faces a pivotal week as the US prepares for upcoming elections and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is set to meet. Anticipation surrounding these events has already stirred volatility, with Bitcoin price falling from $71,000 to around $68,380, and Ethereum price experiencing a similar dip, now trading at $2,440. In the past 24 hours alone, over $238 million in liquidations were recorded, affecting more than 104,000 traders.

Total Crypto Market Cap | Source: TradingView

Rising Volatility and Liquidations

The past weekend witnessed sharp price declines across the top 50 cryptos, leading to widespread liquidations in crypto futures in the derivatives market. According to data from Coinglass, liquidations of more than $238 million were reported, with the largest single liquidation order totaling $9.9 million on the OKX exchange. The market turbulence also coincides with the approaching US election, potentially exacerbating price swings.

Bitcoin Liquidations | Source: Coinglass.com

Election Uncertainty and Market Reactions

Polls on Polymarket indicate a recent 6% decline for former US President Donald Trump in popularity, with many investors speculating on how the election’s outcome could impact crypto. Trump’s pro-crypto stance has fueled optimism, with investors viewing a potential win as positive for the digital asset market. However, uncertainty remains a key factor, and it could continue to drive market volatility.

November FOMC Meeting: Potential Rate Cut and Its Implications

Set for November 7, the FOMC meeting is anticipated to bring another interest rate cut. The CME FedWatch Tool reports a 98% probability of a 25 basis point cut, aligning with the Fed’s goal of encouraging economic growth and boosting risk assets. Previous rate reductions have led to positive market reactions, with Bitcoin experiencing an 8% jump in the week following the September meeting.

Current inflation data shows the U.S. rate at 2.1%, close to the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, suggesting that further rate cuts may be likely. If another cut is confirmed, crypto markets could see renewed bullish momentum as investor risk appetite increases.

Sentiment and Prospects for Growth

Despite recent losses, market sentiment remains positive. The Fear and Greed Index, which currently indicates a strong sense of “greed” among traders, suggests that the prevailing sentiment could encourage buying activity and potential price gains. With Q4 historically being a favorable period for crypto prices, traders are optimistic for a rebound.

Outlook for the Week

In summary, this week presents a high-stakes environment for the crypto market. Both the U.S. election and FOMC meeting outcomes hold significant sway over the direction of crypto assets. Should a pro-crypto leadership result from the election, coupled with another rate cut, BTC and other major cryptos could see considerable upward movement, possibly driving BTC closer to or beyond previous highs. As such, traders and investors will closely monitor events as they unfold.

Source: AMBCrypto