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US Economic Data This Week: Key Events Shaping Bitcoin

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This week in crypto, several US economic data releases will influence Bitcoin (BTC) and crypto market sentiment in general.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s price still hovers near the $87,000 threshold, defending against further downside despite being devoid of sufficient catalysts to activate its upside potential.

US Economic Data With Crypto Implication This Week

This week, five US economic data sets, including services and manufacturing PMI, consumer confidence, initial jobless claims, GDP, and PCE Index, interest crypto traders and investors. Here is how they could sway sentiment.

US Economic Data With Bitcoin Implication this Week
US Economic Data With Bitcoin Implication this Week. Source: Trading Economics

Services and Manufacturing PMI

The S&P Global US Services and Manufacturing PMI data, due on Monday, March 24, will gauge the health of these critical sectors. Recent trends show manufacturing holding strong at 52.7, while services follow at 51.0.

Strong manufacturing and services PMI readings could boost risk appetite, potentially lifting Bitcoin as investors seek high-yield assets. Conversely, readings below 50 would signal economic contraction, stoking recession fears and effectively driving safe-haven flows away from crypto.

With Trump’s pro-growth policies gaining traction, any upside surprise could amplify bullish sentiment, though persistent weakness may temper enthusiasm.

“A busy week as we come to the end of Q1 2025. How will the markets close out the first quarter of Trump’s new term?” analyst Mark Cullen of AlphaBTC posed.

Consumer Confidence

Tuesday’s Consumer Confidence Index from The Conference Board, expected around 10 AM ET, will reflect spending attitudes amid economic uncertainty. Despite solid job growth, February’s drop to 98.3—its steepest since 2021—hints at unease.

A rebound to the median forecast of 95.0 could signal waning retail optimism, a key driver for Bitcoin’s retail-heavy market, pushing prices higher.

However, if confidence sinks further, dovish Federal Reserve (Fed) expectations might grow, offering mixed outcomes. Liquidity hopes could buoy BTC price, but risk-off moves might dominate.

Initial Jobless Claims

Thursday’s Initial Jobless Claims report will track labor market strength, showing the number of US citizens filing for unemployment insurance.

The 223,000 reading for the week ending March 15, slightly below the expected 224,000, suggested a cooling economy, a focal point for Fed policy. It extended positive sentiment after the week ending March 8, where initial jobless claims in the US were 220,000, compared to an expected 225,000.

This time, however, the median forecast is a slight bump in initial jobless claims to 226,000 for the week ending March 22.

Higher claims could spark recession jitters, nudging investors toward Bitcoin as a hedge against instability. On the other hand, lower claims might bolster traditional markets, siphoning capital from crypto. With the Trump administration eyeing labor boosts, this data could pivot sentiment sharply.

GDP

The GDP second revision for Q4 2024, out Thursday, is forecasted at 2.3%. Stronger growth could dampen Bitcoin’s appeal as a risk asset if investors favor equities, especially with revised 2024 figures showing a 3% annual rise.

A weaker print might fuel rate-cut speculation, enhancing BTC’s allure as a store of value. Crypto traders are watching how this aligns with recent Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) updates signaling strong consumer spending.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin OG and economist George Selgin challenge claims that a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve would boost GDP. The finance expert argues that Bitcoin’s price growth does not directly or significantly influence a country’s economic output.

“…But that [Bitcoin] price has no definite and substantial bearing on GDP, so by stocking up on Bitcoin the gov’t does not grow the GDP,” he explained.

This standpoint stems from Trump’s March 2025 Executive Order creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve using forfeited assets. Selgin and others criticize this as a misuse of public funds.

PCE Index

Meanwhile, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the PCE Index (Personal Consumption Expenditures), is due on Friday. The index for February will follow January’s 2.5% year-on-year (YoY) rise.

A hotter-than-expected core PCE (excluding food and energy) could delay rate cuts, pressuring Bitcoin downward as tighter policy looms. A softer reading might ignite a rally, reinforcing hopes of monetary easing. With inflation stickiness lingering, this release could dictate BTC’s near-term trajectory.

Crypto markets remain on edge, with these events poised to shape Bitcoin’s path amid changing US economic narratives.

BTC Price Performance
BTC Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

BeInCrypto data shows BTC was trading for $86,712, up by over 3% in the last 24 hours.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Mt. Gox’s $1 Billion Bitcoin Transfer: Is Liquidation Coming?

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The defunct cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox has executed another massive Bitcoin (BTC) transfer, moving $1 billion in BTC.

The transfer comes as the exchange’s creditor payouts approach, with the deadline set for October 2025.

Mt. Gox Shifts 11,501 BTC in Massive Transfer

According to blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence, Mt. Gox transferred a total of 11,501 Bitcoins to two wallets. A change wallet (address: 1DcoA) received 10,608 BTC worth $929 million. In addition, Mt. Gox’s hot wallet (address: 1Jbez) received 893 BTC worth $78 million.

Mt Gox Bitcoin payout
Mt. Gox Bitcoin Transfers. Source: X/Arkham

This move follows two significant transactions earlier this month. On March 6, the exchange transferred 12,000 BTC worth $1 billion at the time. Less than a week later, it made another 11,834 BTC transfer valued at $910 million.

In the latter instance, 332 BTC worth over $25 million was deposited into the Bitstamp exchange, hinting at potential liquidation activity. Thus, SpotOnChain suggested that the 893 BTC sent to the hot wallet could soon be on the move again, too.

After the latest transfer, Mt. Gox still holds 35,583 BTC worth over $3 billion. The latest actions may signal preparations as the exchange moves to repay creditors who lost funds in its infamous hack over a decade ago.

An approaching repayment deadline adds urgency to the situation. Last October, the trustee overseeing Mt. Gox’s assets extended the cutoff for creditor repayments by a year, setting a new date of October 31, 2025. 

“Many rehabilitation creditors still have not received their Repayments because they have not completed the necessary procedures for receiving Repayments. Additionally, a considerable number of rehabilitation creditors have not received their Repayments due to various reasons, such as issues arising during the Repayments process,” the notice read.

Meanwhile, the transfer had minimal impact on Bitcoin’s price. According to BeInCrypto data, BTC was only down 0.19% over the past day. At the time of writing, it traded at 86,756.

mt gox bitcoin payout
Bitcoin Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

Notably, the coin has been gradually recovering from recent losses. BeInCrypto’s analysis indicates Bitcoin is approaching a breakout from a descending wedge pattern. If confirmed, this could set the stage for further gains, potentially reaching up to $95,000.

Arthur Hayes, former CEO of BitMEX, has also shared a bullish outlook for Bitcoin.

“The price is more likely to hi $110k than $76.5k next. If we hit $110k, then it’s yachtzee time and we ain’t looking back until $250k,” he wrote on X.

His reasoning is based on the expectation that the US Federal Reserve will shift from quantitative tightening (QT) to quantitative easing (QE), which would increase liquidity. Hayes also suggested that tariffs and their inflationary effect won’t have a lasting impact on the economy. Therefore, this would not hinder Bitcoin’s potential rise.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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What Does Trump’s Liberation Day Tariff Mean for Crypto Prices?

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President Trump plans to announce a new round of reciprocal tariffs on April 2. This will be aimed at reducing the $1.2 trillion trade deficit for the US. He calls it “Liberation Day” for the US economy. 

As Trump’s earlier tariffs significantly impacted the crypto market and triggered liquidations, his April 2 decision might also have notable implications for the market.

What’s New with Trump’s Liberation Day Tariff Plans? 

Trump may delay some of the most aggressive sector-specific tariffs. This might include industries like those in autos, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.

Instead of blanket sector tariffs, the US might focus only on countries with the largest trade surpluses and the highest barriers to US goods. These are informally referred to as the “Dirty 15”—a group of 10 to 15 countries.

However, the decision is still not final. Trump could still change course, as he’s done in past announcements. 

“I may give a lot of countries breaks, but it’s reciprocal, but we might be even nicer than that. You know we’ve been very nice to a lot of countries for a long time. But I call it liberation day. April 2nd is liberation day,” the US president announced

Delaying or narrowing the scope of tariffs could ease some pressure on both the stock and crypto markets. 

As we’ve seen recently, when tariffs seem aggressive, markets often dip. When they seem more measured or delayed, prices often stabilize or rebound.

bitcoin price chart
Bitcoin Price Bounces Back Above $88,000 After Trump’s Liberation Day Announcement. Source: TradingView

Possible Scenarios for the Crypto Market Under Trump’s Tariff Plans

The April 2 tariff announcement could impact the crypto market in a few key ways, depending on how aggressive or targeted the final policy is. Here’s a breakdown of how and why it might move crypto prices.

If Tariffs Are Aggressive (Broad, High Duties)

  • Risk sentiment drops: Equity and bond markets would likely react negatively to aggressive tariffs, especially on autos, chips, or pharma. That tends to spill over into crypto, which investors still treat as a risk-on asset class.
  • Bitcoin and Ethereum could dip, as traders hedge against slower global growth and increased inflation risk.
  • Capital flight into USD or cash could trigger short-term outflows from speculative assets like altcoins.

For instance, when Trump reaffirmed steep tariffs in February, Bitcoin dropped below $90,000 amid broader market jitters. The same pattern could repeat.

If Tariffs Are Narrowed (Delays or Selective Targeting)

  • Market relief rally: If Trump’s administration confirms they’ll delay auto/chip/pharma tariffs and only target a few countries with high trade barriers, investor anxiety may ease.
  • That could fuel a short-term recovery in crypto prices, particularly if equity markets also rebound.
  • Increased clarity reduces volatility, which markets—including crypto—tend to reward.

For instance, when Trump hinted at flexibility earlier this month, Bitcoin rebounded to around $88,000. Narrower tariffs could spark a similar uptick.

Overall, the crypto market has been highly sensitive to macroeconomic signals lately. Tariffs drive fears of slower global trade and higher inflation.

All of these affect investor risk appetite. Even though crypto isn’t directly tied to trade flows, it’s deeply entwined with broader liquidity conditions and investor sentiment.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Holdings Exceed 500,000 BTC

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Michael Saylor announced that Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) just purchased $584 million worth of Bitcoin, bringing its total holdings to over 500,000 BTC. Bitcoin is up this morning, and MicroStrategy’s purchase helps build market confidence.

However, the firm can only continue these acquisitions through sizable debt obligations. It seems unlikely that Strategy could ever sell off these assets without risking market confidence.

Strategy’s Bitcoin Buys Grow Again

Strategy (formerly Microstrategy) has been on a wild trajectory in the last few weeks. It has been one of the world’s largest Bitcoin holders for months, but the company’s purchase sizes have fluctuated wildly in the last few weeks.

Today, however, Michael Saylor announced that Strategy purchased a huge amount of Bitcoin:

“Strategy has acquired 6,911 BTC for ~$584.1 million at ~$84,529 per bitcoin and has achieved BTC Yield of 7.7% YTD 2025. As of 3/23/2025, Strategy holds 506,137 BTC acquired for ~$33.7 billion at ~$66,608 per bitcoin,” Saylor claimed via social media.

The price of Bitcoin is very uncertain right now, and this has left an outsized impact on Strategy. Last month, the firm began offering STRK, a new perpetual security, to fund massive BTC acquisitions.

Shortly before today’s purchase, he upsized his latest stock offering by over $200 million.

This has reinvigorated the firm’s purchasing strategy but also left it with other serious problems. In essence, Strategy will never be able to sell its Bitcoin without seriously damaging the market.

The company has funded these purchases with massive debt obligations, but it has negative cash inflows. Saylor’s routine acquisitions keep market confidence high, but the community watches carefully for any signs of diminished activity.

Enthusiasts carefully watch for smaller purchases, and they would certainly notice a sale of any size.

That is to say, what happens if Strategy’s unsecured debt goes down if the price of Bitcoin goes down? The community would take a forced liquidation as a very bearish sign.

The company’s tax obligations are another possible source of trouble. For now, at least, the price of Bitcoin is on the mend.

bitcoin weekly price chart
Bitcoin Weekly Price Chart. Source: BeInCrypto

After this acquisition, MicroStrategy holds more than 500,000 Bitcoins. As the following chart shows, the company’s BTC purchase activity significantly intensified since late 2024, even though the asset’s price reached an all-time high during that period.

microstrategy bitcoin holdings
MicroStrategy Bitcoin Holdings Over Time. Source: Bitcoin Treasuries

It’s evident that Saylor will serve as an important guarantor of Bitcoin’s confidence. However, if market conditions spin out of control, Strategy’s massive debt could cause some serious trouble.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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