UK inflation and central bank policy expectations have implications for crypto
Some slippage in Bitcoin and Ether follows what had been a bullish trend in August
Upside surprise in UK inflation pushes short-term rates higher globally
Crypto markets need to account for and monitor swings in central bank policy expectations
The slippage in Bitcoin and Ether prices this week is attracting more attention as its runs contrary to the bullish price action that had characterized most of August. At this stage the moves still appear more consolidative rather than corrective, recognizing that markets will not move in a straight line.
Chart patterns could take on more focus as news flow diminishes
That said, the pullbacks are starting to add up, with Bitcoin (BTC-USD) down 5.8% from Monday’s intraday peak of $25,214 while Ether (ETH-USD) is down 7.6% from its recent intraday peak (reached Sunday) of $2,031 (price data sourced from TradingView.com). With limited news flow to drive prices, market participants may be increasingly inclined to focus on technical and chart patterns for near-term direction.
Risk appetite to be monitored as well
In addition, swings in risk appetite have and will likely continue to correlate with crypto token prices. And in that regard note that the Nasdaq Composite Index futures are down ~1% ahead of the cash market open, which for now is consistent with some softness in Bitcoin and Ether.
UK inflation surprises to the upside, pushing UK yields markedly higher
On the macro front, UK inflation data provided a reminder that global price pressures remain problematic, at best, and a potentially significant threat to future economic stability. UK CPI rose 10.1% y/y, well above the 9.8% gain expected and up from 9.4% in June. The data suggest that the Bank of England will have to raise rates more aggressively, with the 2yr UK benchmark yield surging 28 basis points to 2.43% after the data, a new cycle high.
And bringing global yields along for the ride
Moreover, data and market response in the UK has prompted short term yields elsewhere to follow suit, including an 18 basis point rise in 2yr German yields and a 9 basis point rise in 2y US yields. The initial reaction being that inflation pressures could stay more problematic elsewhere as well.
Similarly, Canadian 2yr yields are up 23 basis points to 3.44% since Tuesday. That follows comments from Bank of Canada Governor Macklem who said inflation will “remain too high for some time,” and that was despite the reported slowing in CPI to 7.6% in July from 8.1% in June. That reinforces expectations for additional tightening and following the BoC’s 100 basis point rate hike last month. That rate hike was the largest single step rate move among advanced economies thus far in the global central bank tightening cycle.
Short-term yield gains could pose headwinds to crypto token prices
These are important developments for crypto markets to monitor. Short-term yields largely reflect central bank policy expectations, and the latest moves higher indicate that markets are expecting more rate hikes going forward.
In simple terms, that tightening will create headwinds for risk assets and creates more downside risk to economic growth (after all, rate hikes are designed to slow demand and reduce inflation pressures), both of which imply some negative spillover onto crypto prices.
Crypto markets need to monitor what will be ongoing shifts in policy expectations
This is hardly the last word on central bank policy expectations. On the contrary, the market view—and central bank guidance—will continue to swing based on upcoming data and other inputs (such as geopolitical events). Indeed, the minutes to the July FOMC meeting due later today (14:00 ET) will provide some additional insight into the Federal Reserve’s thinking. We highlight these developments primarily to emphasize that interest rate moves have been and will continue to be important inputs for short-term and medium-term crypto price direction.
Original source: www.einpresswire.com/sources/u466736
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