Bitcoin price edges higher as Fed inflation meeting sends DXY to 2-month high
|The U.S. dollar appeared to benefit from fresh comments by Jerome Powell, while Bitcoin remains frustrated.
Bitcoin (BTC) stayed below $40,000 on June 17 as a surging U.S. dollar added to downward BTC price pressure.
BTC/USD 1-hour candle chart (Bitstamp). Source: TradingView
BTC/USD bounces at $38,000
Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD trading at around $39,300 on Thursday.
The largest cryptocurrency fell during a meeting of the Federal Reserve the day before in which Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged inflation could run higher than planned in the short term. As Cointelegraph reported, May's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation hitting a 13-year high last month.
While traditionally a boon for Bitcoin, however, Powell's confidence in inflation returning to normal long term ultimately served to boost the dollar more than BTC.
"Yes, they are anchored and they're at a good place right now — it's gratifying to see them having moved off of their pandemic lows," Powell said in subsequent media comments about inflation indicators.
"It's fundamental in our new framework to assure that longer-term inflation expectations are anchored at a place that is consistent with our goal."
That goal is currently around 2%, with the Fed acknowledging that there would be periods where rates overshoot that threshold.
The dollar gained on the back of the meeting, with the U.S. dollar currency index (DXY) advancing to two-month highs.
This is a classic provider of friction for Bitcoin, and already tepid sentiment over the outlook for the bull run of 2021 continuing saw a further test.
U.S. dollar currency index (DXY) 1-day candle chart. Source: TradingView
Small futures gap provides possible target
Popular trader Crypto Ed nonetheless noted the positive implications of BTC/USD bouncing off $38,000 support at its intraday lows.
"Let's not forget the possible extension to fill the CME gap," he added as part of comments on the low, with the futures gap — another favorite short-term price influencer — at $37,000.
At the same time, fellow trader Peter Brandt highlighted a number of gaps which remain unfilled on BTC/USD, while adding that he doesn’t believe all gaps must get filled.
CME Bitcoin futures 1-day chart showing June 13 gap. Source: TradingView
Previously, Cointelegraph reported on the changing face of Bitcoin investor habits during this prolonged period of lower prices.
Hodlers are storing coins for longer, and even those who bought during the first months of the bull market remain committed to not selling, data shows.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.