Recently, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization was trading below $1,350, a decrease of over 7% over the previous 24 hours that carried on its post-Merge dip from the previous three days. With high hopes for Ethereum’s switch from a proof-of-work to a more energy-efficient proof-of-stake protocol, ETH began trading comfortably over $1,700 last week. It may take some time before the Merge’s full effects become apparent.
For the time being, it appears likely that ether and other cryptocurrencies will remain susceptible to the same macroeconomic factors affecting stocks and other riskier assets for months.
At the time of writing, approximately $19,450 was the bitcoin price, close to its 10-day low and down over 2.5% from Saturday. The largest cryptocurrency by market value declined early in the week from a perch above $22,000 after a disappointing Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that the U.S. central bank still had work to control inflation. Investors will be closely watching the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) decision on whether to raise interest rates again this week (UTC), though a minimum 75 basis point increase is generally anticipated — a continuation of the Fed’s monetary hawkishness.
After the Merge, everything seemed to go smoothly. Technically, everything went as planned, and ether prices remained unchanged for hours.
However, the newly named proof-of-stake ether fell the following day, dropping by 9% and seeing its losses surpass those of bitcoin. Ether recently decreased by 7%. The digital assets industry environment is one of high-interest rates and quantitative tightening at levels not seen in decades — dramatically higher than the environment in which Ethereum “grew up.”
According to Bloomberg data derived from trader sources, interest rates are anticipated to reach a peak of 4.42% in March 2023 and remain above 4% for the remainder of the year. The dollar is predicted to reach record highs, which is bad news for “ultrasound money.”
Conclusion
Following the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which is set for Wednesday and Thursday, there will be another significant increase in interest rates. There is growing speculation that the central bank will increase the benchmark interest rate in the United States by a full percentage point for the first time since the early 1990s.
Strong headwinds are anticipated for the crypto market, according to analysts.
Afterword
Crypto Fiat Networx Exchange (CFXNX) is seeking investors (and influencers) who are willing and ready to invest in its project and future endeavors. CFXNX is both an institutional grade with an institutional wallet that aims to make financial transactions much smoother and faster while still maintaining high security for your funds.
Crypto Fiat Networx’s first targets the online gaming industry after which it will spread out to other industries as well.
To find out more in detail, please reach out to the CFO and Co-founder of the project at tdb@cfxnx.com