According to Cointelegraph, the crypto market experienced a surge in sentiment, shifting to 'Greed' on Saturday following comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. His remarks at the annual Jackson Hole economic symposium suggested potential adjustments to the Fed's monetary policy, sparking speculation about a possible rate cut in September. This development led to a rise in the Crypto Fear & Greed Index to a score of 60, up from a 'Neutral' reading of 50 the previous day.
The market's positive response was evident as Bitcoin (BTC) saw a 5% increase, reaching $117,300, and Ether (ETH) climbed to $4,851, nearing its 2021 all-time high. The surge in Ether, which rose by 11.51% over 24 hours, was highlighted by Axie Infinity co-founder Jeffrey 'Jiho' Zirlin, who described Ether as the 'most rate-sensitive aspect of crypto.' He noted that as interest rates decrease, the difference between earnings from stablecoin deposits in decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional bank deposits widens, making crypto investments more appealing.
Market participants are closely watching the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting on September 17, with the CME FedWatch Tool indicating that 75% anticipate a rate cut. The Kobeissi Letter, a trading resource, suggested that Powell's comments are paving the way for such a move. Historically, rate cuts by the Fed have increased liquidity, making riskier assets like cryptocurrencies more attractive to investors.
Despite the optimism, St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem expressed caution, stating that he requires more time to decide on supporting an interest rate cut. He mentioned that he would continue to update his outlook and assess risks up until a few days before the meeting. Earlier in the week, several crypto market participants had predicted a market spike if Powell hinted at a rate cut. Jason Williams, a crypto author, speculated that a dovish stance from Powell would lead to a significant market rally. Meanwhile, Crypto Banter trader Ran Neuner emphasized the importance of the Jackson Hole symposium in shaping the future direction of the crypto market, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump is advocating for a rate cut, though it remains uncertain if Powell will heed this call.
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