In a move that surprised many market analysts, Bitcoin and other major altcoins have recently demonstrated a noticeable decoupling from the S&P 500 as highlighted by Santiment, an analytics platform. Historically, Bitcoin has tracked closely with traditional assets. However, its recent divergence suggests a shift in mainstream investor sentiment.
📊 How did #Bitcoin and many #altcoins manage to enjoy the breakout so many traders scoffed at? Can #crypto continue to pump without reliance on the #SP500 doing the same? Check it all out in our freshly dropped Santiment October monthly recap report. https://t.co/67yGBmBBJb pic.twitter.com/PobSTZf0KU
— Santiment (@santimentfeed) November 1, 2023
The cryptocurrency market, including Bitcoin, experienced a notable upswing while stock prices were on a decline. This divergence is highlighted by Bitcoin’s correlation with the S&P 500 dropping to zero.
The momentum in the cryptocurrency domain was notably influenced by the United States Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision. They chose to sustain the interest rate, keeping it anchored between 5.25% and 5.50%. Moreover, the latter half of October 2023 saw Bitcoin and Solana posting notable gains, especially after a speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell post the FOMC meeting.
Besides Bitcoin, Solana has been drawing attention. Among the top Altcoins, Solana recorded impressive gains. This is particularly noteworthy considering the ongoing bankruptcy saga surrounding the crypto exchange FTX, in which the Solana Foundation is heavily invested.
Yet, despite these challenges and the ongoing trial of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), Solana’s price remains resilient. Global investment firm VanEck even projects Solana’s price to potentially hit the $3,200 mark by 2030, marking a significant increase from its current position.
Hence, while the FOMC’s decision was anticipated, Powell’s subsequent remarks hint at the central bank reconsidering its monetary policy stance. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported a 0.4 percent growth in the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index for September, relative to August 2023.
Concurrently, the CME FedWatch Tool signals an augmented likelihood, by 2%, of a potential interest rate hike in the upcoming December 2023 FOMC session. This points to mounting apprehensions about imminent rate hikes.
The recent surge of the crypto market, highlighted by Bitcoin’s detachment from the S&P 500, may signal an evolving landscape in the investment world. The resilience of altcoins like Solana amidst challenges further emphasizes the dynamism of this market. However, potential changes in interest rates remain a factor, and the financial world is in eager anticipation of the next moves by central banks.
