Disappointing U.S. CPI Data Sends Bitcoin Tumbling Below $95K
Both the headline and core rates of inflation rose faster than expected in January.
U.S. inflation unexpectedly marched higher in January, sending crypto and traditional markets sharply lower.
The closely-watched Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.5% in January versus an expected 0.3% and December's 0.4% pace. On a year-over-year basis, CPI was higher by 3.0% against forecasts for 2.9% and 2.9% in December.
The so-called core CPI, which excludes food and energy costs, rose 0.4% in January versus an expected 0.3% and 0.2% the previous month. Year-over-year, core CPI was higher by 3.3% versus 3.1% expected and 3.2% in December.
Already trading in downward trend this week, the price of bitcoin (BTC) fell sharply in the moments following the disappointing report, slumping below the $95,000 level.
After bursting through $100,000 shortly following the election victory of Donald Trump in November, bitcoin has traded rangebound between $90,000 and $109,000 over what's now been more than two months. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven China concerns, the threat of trade wars, and higher than hoped interest rates due to continued strength in the economy and inflation have all been among the factors tempering prices.
Testifying before Congress yesterday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell reiterated that additional central bank rate cuts are likely to be off the table for the foreseeable future, barring unexpected downturns in either the economy or inflation.
