Key Points
- Bitcoin’s bullish outlook may face a potential pullback due to the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision.
- Despite short-term volatility, Bitcoin’s long-term potential remains optimistic due to institutional interest and stablecoin activity.
The crypto market has been experiencing a significant surge amidst the anticipation of Donald Trump’s return as the 47th U.S. President. However, the potential for a pullback looms as the Federal Reserve is set to release its first interest rate decision of the year.
Bitcoin’s Performance and Future Expectations
Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research, suggests a “positive start” in early January may be followed by a slight decline, then another rally leading up to Trump’s inauguration on the 20th of January. This creates a fascinating scenario for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market in the coming weeks.
Thielen also pointed out a potentially favorable inflation print which could reignite optimism and fuel a rally into the Trump inauguration. However, this momentum may wane ahead of the FOMC meeting on January 29. The CME Group’s FedWatch tool indicates an 88.8% probability that the US federal target rate will remain between 425 and 450 basis points following this meeting.
Bitcoin’s Price Status and Predictions
After Bitcoin experienced a nearly 15% drop to approximately $92,800 following the 18th December FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve’s upcoming announcements could pose a significant risk to any potential BTC rally in 2025. Despite this, the broader outlook for Bitcoin remains optimistic, driven by institutional interest in stablecoin minting and spot BTC ETF inflows.
Thielen predicts Bitcoin could reach the $97,000 to $98,000 range by the end of January. Meanwhile, John Glover, Chief Investment Officer at Ledn, anticipates a potential rebound to $125,000 by the end of Q1. He also suggests the possibility of hitting $160,000 in late 2025 or early 2026.
Bitcoin’s Crypto Fear and Greed Index surged to “Extreme Greed,” signaling strong confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential, despite short-term fluctuations. The Relative Strength Index (RSI), currently at 57, further reinforced Bitcoin’s long-term bullish trajectory.
Therefore, while Bitcoin’s January rally shows promise, the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies and broader macroeconomic conditions are key factors that could significantly shape its future trajectory.