Key Takeaways
As the financial world holds its breath ahead of the Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated interest rate decision on Sept. 18, a seismic shift is already underway—crypto investment products just raked in nearly half a billion dollars in inflows, fueling speculation that a Fed pivot could be on the horizon.
After weeks of stagnant inflows, the crypto market has shown signs of renewed life, with a notable uptick in investor interest.
The catalyst for this sudden surge is not entirely clear, but one thing is certain: Bitcoin is at the forefront of this trend reversal.
According to the CoinShares report , Bitcoin investment products recorded $436 million in inflows—a dramatic reversal from the preceding 10-day period, during which BTC investors pulled out a combined $1.18 billion.
Conversely, investors who had previously bet against Bitcoin’s price via short-selling products are now rapidly losing interest. Outflows from these products totaled $8.5 million last week, puncturing a streak of nearly three weeks of inflows.
However, not all cryptocurrencies are basking in the warmth of this upswing.
Ethereum, the second-largest asset in the market, remains stuck in neutral.
For the third consecutive week, investors have withdrawn funds from ETH products, with outflows totaling $19 million.
The upcoming FOMC meeting may be a factor in the sudden trend reversal.
The Federal Reserve will likely decide between 25 to 50 basis points (bps) on Sept. 18.
As the central bank lowers its target rate, the ripple effects will be felt across the financial landscape, especially in the crypto market.
Historically, a dovish Fed has been a boon for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. When the monetary taps are opened and liquidity flows into the system, emerging assets tend to benefit.
A rate cut could also weaken the U.S. dollar, creating a bullish tailwind for crypto assets and subsequent crypto investment products.
It’s unclear how much the Feds will cut.
Some experts predict a modest 25 bps cut, while others forecast a more aggressive 50-basis-point reduction.
The implications of this decision are far-reaching. A measured 25-basis-point cut would signal the Fed’s control over the economy, potentially triggering a bullish rally in crypto.
Conversely, a more significant 50-basis-point cut would hint at a sense of urgency, suggesting that the Fed is taking drastic measures to stave off recession. This bigger cut would make borrowing cheaper, injecting fresh liquidity into the economy.
As the world watches the Fed’s next move, other major economies have already taken action.
The European Union has led the charge with a 50-basis-point cut, followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, and China, each trimming their rates by 25 basis points.
The last time the Fed made interest rate cuts was in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.