Bitcoin and Altcoins : Key Trends to Follow This Week

Bitcoin Rises : Fed Decision and PCE Inflation Take Center Stage

This week, Bitcoin is preparing for two decisive economic events in the United States : the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates and the release of PCE inflation figures.

These indicators, closely scrutinized by investors worldwide, could redefine the trajectory of cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). As digital assets display positive performance despite an uncertain macroeconomic climate, the outcome of these announcements will be crucial for anticipating upcoming market movements.

The Federal Reserve, which is reassessing its monetary policy, could adjust its key rates during its meeting scheduled for this Wednesday at 8:00 PM (CEST). A rate cut, often perceived as a favorable signal for risk assets like cryptocurrencies, could stimulate investor appetite.

Conversely, maintaining or raising rates could increase selling pressure, especially if markets anticipate prolonged tightening. Meanwhile, the PCE index, which measures inflation excluding food and energy, is a key barometer of US economic health. Moderate inflation could reassure the Fed in taking an accommodative approach, while a high figure risks slowing cryptocurrency momentum.

Has the Market Already “Priced In” the Rates ?

Despite these uncertainties, the crypto market shows notable resilience. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market capitalization, gained nearly 4% last week, closing at around $116,000. This progress, though modest, reflects renewed investor confidence after weeks of volatility.

Ethereum, the second-largest crypto, outperformed with a 7% increase, driven by growing adoption of its decentralized applications and expectations surrounding updates like Ethereum 2.5, which promise better scalability.

Solana, meanwhile, distinguished itself with an impressive jump of 19%, reaching $249. This rally can be explained by sustained institutional accumulation, notably Galaxy Digital’s massive purchase of $1.19 billion worth of SOL, as well as the expansion of the Solana ecosystem in DeFi and NFTs.

For Bitcoin, support levels at $114,600 and $112,500-$113,500 are worth monitoring and must be maintained to continue the bullish trend.

Solana, despite a high RSI, shows persistent strength with solid support between $239 and $233. These technical levels, combined with spot market optimism, suggest that cryptocurrencies could absorb short-term volatility, provided the Fed’s announcements don’t negatively surprise.

The macroeconomic context remains a determining factor, however. A rate cut could free up liquidity for risky assets, while high PCE inflation could revive fears of monetary tightening, weighing on crypto valuations.

Investors should also monitor correlations with traditional markets : a drop in stock indices, such as the S&P 500, could trigger a temporary correction in cryptocurrencies. Conversely, a favorable environment could propel Bitcoin toward $120,000, Ethereum beyond $5,000, and Solana toward $269 by the end of the month.

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