Bitcoin started one of its biggest surges in the last fourteen days, breaking its highest price. On August 23, it was at $60,383, starting what many perceive as a short squeeze. The squeeze soon became a burst as the asset kept climbing.
The apex coin broke $62k and continued upwards, flipping $64k and peaking at $64,853. Currently trading close to the high, it is looking to end the day with gains exceeding 6%.
The latest surge is a surprise for many. What was the catalyst?
Federal Reserve Rate Cut
The financial landscape is undergoing a dynamic shift. The Federal Reserve’s recent signal of potential rate cuts coincides with a surge in cryptocurrency markets, particularly fueled by the anticipated release of Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) from a halfway house.
The Fed’s consideration of rate cuts stems from a steady decline in inflation towards its target. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, recently registered at 2.5%, down from 3.2% a year ago and significantly below its peak of over 7% in June 2022. This positive trend has prompted the Fed to contemplate easing its monetary policy, potentially through rate reductions.
The news was met with enthusiasm in the stock market, where prices rose, and Treasury yields dropped sharply. Traders have increased the probability of a September rate cut, with some even predicting a substantial half-point reduction.
This bullish sentiment has been amplified by CZ’s transfer from prison to a halfway house in Long Beach, California, in preparation for his potential release in September. The crypto community views this as a significant positive development and expects a robust impact on Binance-related crypto assets like Binance Coin and Binance Smart Chain.
The news of CZ’s impending release circulated widely on platforms like X, has sparked intense speculation about its impact on the crypto markets. The crypto community anticipates that his return to the helm of Binance could unlock further growth opportunities and inject renewed confidence into the ecosystem.
