Bitcoin Stalls Near $78,000 as Key Events Loom
Bitcoin's price volatility has been heightened due to several converging events over the next 48 hours. The cryptocurrency is currently trading near $78,000 after a hot PCE inflation reading knocked it back from an $81,000 high. Analysts are split on what comes next, with some calling this the late stage of a bear market bottoming out and others warning of a bull trap if Bitcoin can't clear $82,000.
The PCE report showed prices up 3.7% annually, hotter than the 3.6% forecast, which gives policymakers less room to justify cutting rates. The government's second look at second-quarter GDP came in at 1.5% annual growth, with consumer spending revised stronger than first reported.
A $6.4 billion options expiry is set for Friday on Deribit, the same day as Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's first Jackson Hole speech. The CME FedWatch tool now prices a 38.4% chance of a September rate hike, down from 82% a month ago.
Nvidia reports second-quarter results after Wednesday's market close, with Wall Street forecasting around $92.3 billion in revenue. A strong beat with confident guidance could pull more capital into risk assets broadly and extend Wednesday's dip-buying into Bitcoin.