Bitcoin's Bumpy Ride: This Week In Crypto (18 Feb 2023)

Hey there, fellow crypto enthusiasts! It's been a rollercoaster of a week for Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. This digital currency has been swinging up and down, reaching multiple six-month highs before retreating suddenly late Thursday, only to rally again.

In the latest news, Bitcoin was recently trading over $24,557, up almost 3.1% over the past 24 hours, and off a weekly high early Thursday when BTC surpassed $25,000 for the first time since August. That's one wild ride, but what caused it all? Let's dive in.

What Caused the Bitcoin Rally and Drop?

Bitcoin has been going through some ups and downs lately, and there are a few different reasons why. One of the main factors is the sensitivity of the crypto market to broader economic conditions, such as inflation rates and government policy. However, there are also specific events within the crypto industry that can affect prices, such as regulatory crackdowns and lawsuits.

Recently, there was a surge in investor optimism that caused Bitcoin, Ether, and other cryptocurrencies to rally. This was driven in part by a sense that regulatory pressures had eased up, at least for the time being. However, this positive sentiment didn't last long. The market turned cautious again, and Bitcoin dropped by over $1,000 in just a few hours. There were a few factors behind this, including hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials, a lawsuit against a co-founder of Terraform Labs, and disappointing inflation numbers.

Despite these setbacks, investors didn't lose faith in Bitcoin. By Friday, the cryptocurrency had almost reached $25,000 again. What's more, crypto has been performing better than the stock market for most of 2022. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market value, has also been on a roll, rising over 12% in the past week.

Will Regulations Affect the Crypto Market?

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: regulatory concerns. It's no secret that the crypto market has been a hot topic for regulators worldwide, and the US is no exception. The new US crypto regulatory push won't be apparent for a while, allowing markets to sort themselves out. The industry itself remains flush with interesting projects, and many investors believe that regulations won't affect the crypto market's growth.

However, some observers think that regulatory overreach could drive away investment and spook markets. That's a valid concern, but investors remain largely optimistic about crypto markets. They see the Fed approving a second consecutive 25 basis point rate hike at its next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in March instead of returning to the more aggressive increases of 2022. And they hope that any economic contraction will be mild – a so-called safe landing that central bankers are seeking.

What's the Future of Bitcoin?

So, what does the future hold for Bitcoin and the crypto market as a whole? It's hard to say. BTC's “intermediate-term overbought conditions provide a headwind with important resistance around $25,200 nearby, which increases the likelihood of a short-term pullback. Support is near the 200-day MA $20,000,” according to Katie Stockton, founder of technical analysis-based research firm Fairlead Strategies.

While forecasts of higher rates weigh down on the values of future cash flows, increasing global liquidity is helping raise asset prices, says Lucas Outumuro, head of research at blockchain analytics firm IntoTheBlock.

All in all, it's a week full of ups and downs, but one thing is for sure: the crypto market remains as exciting and unpredictable as ever. So buckle up, fellow crypto enthusiasts.

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