- After months of interest rate hikes, investors are betting the Federal Reserve will start cutting rates in early 2024, boosting risk assets like Bitcoin.
- Many anticipate the SEC will approve a spot Bitcoin ETF in 2023, opening up Bitcoin investment to more traditional investors.
- Bitcoin and Ether hit multi-month highs, with Bitcoin surpassing $42k for the first time since April 2022, signaling the crypto winter may be thawing.
Bitcoin has seen a remarkable resurgence in recent days, briefly surpassing $42,000 on Monday – its highest level since April 2022. The world’s largest cryptocurrency appears to be gaining momentum again after a difficult 2022.
Reasons Behind the Surge
Changing Sentiment Around Interest Rates
After months of aggressive rate hikes to combat inflation, investors are now betting that the Federal Reserve will start cutting rates in early 2024. This has boosted sentiment around riskier assets like bitcoin.
Anticipation of a Spot Bitcoin ETF Approval
Many expect the SEC to approve a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in early 2023. This would open up bitcoin investment to millions more traditional investors.
Institutional Adoption
Institutions like MicroStrategy continue to buy bitcoin, while others are warming up to crypto after steps like Binance resolving a criminal probe. This signals growing mainstream acceptance.
Winners From the Rally
Cryptocurrency Stocks and ETFs Surge
As bitcoin rallied, shares of crypto-related companies like Coinbase and MicroStrategy gained significantly. Bitcoin ETFs like ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF also rose.
Bitcoin and Ether Hit Multi-Month Highs
Along with bitcoin rising over $42K, ether also hit $2,275 – its highest since September. However, both remain far below their 2021 peaks.
The Path Ahead
While risky assets and bitcoin have seen an impressive start to 2023, it remains to be seen whether the rally will be sustained. Much depends on central banks’ next moves and further regulatory clarity around crypto. But for now, the crypto winter seems to be thawing.
