Bitcoin Hits 21-Month Lows as US Inflation Rattles Markets
Quick Look
- Bitcoin (BTC) dropped to $58,035, its lowest point since September 2024, following a surge in US PCE inflation to 4.1%.
- The news caused significant volatility in stock markets, with the Nasdaq 100 falling 2% in 30 minutes, and triggered over $600 million in crypto liquidations within an hour.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Bitcoin has fallen to its lowest point in 21 months following the release of US PCE inflation data, which also caused significant drops in stock markets. This correction mirrors trends seen in the 2022 bear market.
Bitcoin (BTC) hit new 21-month lows at Thursday’s Wall Street open as high US inflation unsettled stock markets.
Key points:
Bitcoin returns to its lowest level since September 2024, dropping to $58,000.
US PCE inflation rocks equities, with the Nasdaq 100 shedding 2% in just 30 minutes.
BTC's correction mirrors the price action seen throughout the 2022 bear market.
Crypto liquidations pass $600 million in an hour as BTC price drops
Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD dropping to $58,035 on Bitstamp — a level it last traded at in September 2024.
BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The May print of the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index came in at 4.1%, setting a new three-year record.
“From the preceding month, the PCE price index for May increased 0.4 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.3 percent,” a data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) stated.
“From the same month one year ago, the PCE price index for May increased 4.1 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 3.4 percent from one year ago.”
US PCE one-month % change (screenshot). Source: BEA
Stocks reacted with volatility, with the Nasdaq Composite Index down 0.5% at the time of writing, while the S&P 500 managed to eke out a gain.
The Nasdaq 100, meanwhile, saw a larger snap decline of 2% in just 30 minutes at the open.
“What a chart,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter responded on X.
Bitcoin itself sparked considerable long position liquidations, with CoinGlass putting the cross-crypto liquidation total at $600 million over a single hour.
Crypto liquidation history (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass
Commenting, market participants suggested that price moves were being artificially managed to squeeze positions.
“$BTC is in the manipulation phase,” pseudonymous trader Killa told X followers.
“Every time $BTC trades sub-$60K, that is our manipulation beneath the significant $60K swing low on the weekly and quarterly. Precisely the reason why the orderbook is stacked below us.”
Source: Killa/X
Niels Klaver, cofounder of crypto platform STABL Agency, suggested that BTC/USD “seems to be going for its final leg down of this bear market.”
“$55K remains the target,” he added, referring to an increasingly popular short-term price goal.
BTC/USDT one-week chart. Source: Niels Klaver/X
Bitcoin analysis sees new resistance near $65,000
As BTC price action attempted a modest rebound, trader and analyst Rekt Capital had already described $60,000 support as “clearly weakening.”
Related: BTC price four-year trend calls for $76K as analysis says Bitcoin 'not broken'
“Once June Monthly Closes, we'll know from which price July will be able to potentially spring into a post-breakdown relief rally,” an X post read.
BTC/USD one-month chart. Source: Rekt Capital/X
Rekt Capital maintained that the market was acting similarly to 2022, with the 50-month exponential moving average (EMA) tipped to become new resistance next.
BTC/USD one-month chart. with 50EMA. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Bitcoin price may target $55K as a short-term goal.
Possible · Short term
50-month EMA to become new resistance near $65,000.
Likely · Medium term
Open Questions
- Will Bitcoin's price continue to fall towards $55K?
- Can $60,000 support hold as resistance?
- What will be the impact of future inflation data on crypto?
