Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies faced a downturn early Monday, as concerns about a potential slowdown in monetary easing by central banks dampened investor enthusiasm.
Bitcoin Price Declines
The largest digital asset by market capitalization, Bitcoin (BTC), dropped 2.2% over the past 24 hours, trading at $91,636 as of 10:16 a.m. ET, according to CoinDesk’s Bitcoin price index.
Ripple’s XRP Falls Amid Regulatory Uncertainty
XRP, Ripple’s cryptocurrency, fell 2% to $2.43, following a weekend rally that saw it hit $2.60 on Saturday. Market speculation linked the rise to potential developments in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) case against Ripple Labs.
The SEC initially sued Ripple in 2020, alleging the sale of XRP constituted an unregistered security offering. While Ripple was ordered to pay a $125 million fine in August 2024—far below the SEC’s original $2 billion demand—the regulator has appealed the ruling and must submit further arguments by January 15, 2025.
Impact of U.S. Jobs Report on Crypto Markets
Cryptocurrencies broadly declined on Friday following a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report. The robust employment data heightened fears that the Federal Reserve might maintain higher interest rates for an extended period, pressuring risk-sensitive assets like cryptocurrencies.
- BofA analysts commented, “The cutting cycle is over,” referencing the possibility that the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy tightening could continue.
- Investors are now focusing on the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on January 28-29, where the central bank is expected to keep rates steady.
Performance of Other Cryptocurrencies
Other major cryptocurrencies also experienced declines over the past 24 hours:
- Ethereum (ETH): Down 3.9%.
- Solana (SOL): Down 4.1%.
- Dogecoin (DOGE): Dropped 4.3%.
Outlook for the Crypto Market
With uncertainty surrounding interest rates and regulatory developments, the cryptocurrency market remains volatile. Investors are likely to watch macroeconomic indicators and upcoming regulatory rulings closely for clues about the market’s direction in 2025.
