The crypto market cap is on the precipice of a significant decline, as analyst Nicholas Merten warns of a potential $440 billion reduction in overall market capitalization. This impending downturn is primarily attributed to the Federal Reserve’s recent hawkish stance and the tightening of liquidity within the digital assets sphere.
Merten’s insights, delivered in his latest YouTube video, have sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency community. He anticipates that Bitcoin could face a substantial 43% plunge from its current price, resulting in a substantial $440 billion contraction in the cryptocurrency market’s total valuation.
Furthermore, Merten envisions the market finding stability around the $650 billion market cap range, with Bitcoin settling within the $15,000 to $16,000 range.
“The best-case scenario here for those who’ve already positioned themselves is that we’re going to find support prior lows at around the $650 billion market cap range or for Bitcoin likely around that $15,000-$16,000 range,” the analyst says in the video. These predictions signal a turbulent period ahead for crypto investors.
The Fed’s stance is clearly tightening liquidity and creating ripples of uncertainty across the crypto landscape.
Crypto Retreat Amidst The Fed’s Hawkish Policies
The crypto market responded swiftly to Merten’s somber forecast. Bitcoin, the bellwether of the industry, saw its value dip below the $26,000 mark during Monday morning trading. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, also experienced a decline, remaining below the $1,600 threshold. This bearish sentiment extended to all other top digital assets, which witnessed downward trends.
This retreat in the crypto market comes on the heels of the US Federal Reserve’s hawkish policy stance, announced during its September meeting. While the Fed temporarily paused interest rate hikes, it signaled an imminent increase by the end of the year, with a commitment to maintain higher rates for a longer period than initially anticipated.
Bitcoin threatens to drop below $26K. Chart: TradingView.com
US Stock Futures Show Resilience Amidst Concerns
Simultaneously, in the traditional financial realm, US stock futures displayed resilience during early morning trading, reflecting the dichotomy between the digital currency and traditional markets. Despite the crypto market’s downturn, all three major US stock indexes had closed lower on Friday, marking a week of losses.
As the cryptocurrency market faces the uncertainty induced by the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions, investors and enthusiasts alike are bracing themselves for a period of heightened volatility. Merten’s forecast serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global financial markets and the potential repercussions of central bank policies on digital assets.
Featured image from iStock