The U.S. Federal Reserve opted to keep its benchmark interest rates steady in the range of 4.25% to 4.5% on Wednesday, May 7, resisting calls for rate cuts despite political pressure from former President Donald Trump. The central bank emphasized a cautious approach amid concerns over inflation and potential job market disruptions linked to ongoing trade tensions.
In its statement, the Fed reaffirmed its commitment to shrinking its balance sheet by continuing the reduction of Treasury securities: a clear signal of its ongoing Quantitative Tightening (QT) strategy. However, the committee also made it clear that it remains ready to adjust its policy stance if economic risks materialize, reiterating its dual mandate to support full employment and return inflation to its 2% target.
Bitcoin Price Outlook: Will BTC Break $100K or Face a Pullback?
The crypto market experienced a modest decline following the Federal Reserve’s recent announcement. Bitcoin, which briefly crossed the $97,000 mark earlier on Wednesday, pulled back slightly to hover around $96,156 during the mid-session trading hours in North America.
Technical indicators suggest a short-term bearish trend for Bitcoin, especially after the asset was twice rejected near the $97,600 resistance zone since early May. On the 4-hour chart, BTC has been ranging between $93,685 and $97,000, signaling market indecision.
If Bitcoin fails to hold its footing above the critical support level near $93,600, analysts anticipate a potential drop toward $91,000 in the short term. On the flip side, a decisive close above the $97,000 threshold could pave the way for a renewed rally: one that might propel the flagship cryptocurrency to revisit and surpass the $100,000 milestone.
Whale Watch: What BTC ETF Flows Reveal About Big-Money Moves
A deeper dive into Bitcoin whale behavior points directly to the performance of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs. Over the last three weeks, these funds have seen continued inflows, though at a gradually decreasing pace. Despite this slowdown, heavyweight Bitcoin advocates, including institutional giants like BlackRock’s IBIT, Strategy, and Metaplanet, have steadily increased their BTC holdings, seemingly undeterred by short-term price swings.
Looking ahead, analysts believe Bitcoin may mirror gold’s long-term price trajectory: a move catalyzed by an expanding global money supply and escalating demand from institutional investors seeking decentralized, inflation-resistant assets.