Bitcoin's wild swings amid inflation concerns
Bitcoin fell 2.1% to $94,250 before rebounding to $98,100 following the release of the latest U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. Inflation rose to 3.0%, exceeding expectations of 2.9%, while core CPI came in at 3.3%, reigniting concerns about Fed policy.
Santiment noted that social media mentions of “inflation” and “CPI” surged to a 15-month high, reflecting growing concerns among traders.
Many traders fear a repeat of 2022, when a Federal Reserve rate hike led to a massive sell-off in cryptocurrencies.
Historically, when small traders panic, large holders accumulate Bitcoin, which could set the stage for another price rally. However, whether Bitcoin can sustain this momentum will depend on upcoming economic data and investor sentiment.
Hedera’s decline slows, but recovery remains unclear
Hedera (HBAR) has lost 5% in the past 24 hours and 22% in the past month, bringing its market cap down to $8.5 billion. Despite the extended sell-off, indicators show that bearish momentum is waning.
The average directional index (ADX) declined from 28.9 to 23, indicating weakening selling pressure. ADX readings below 25 typically indicate a slowdown in the trend rather than a full reversal. However, the Ichimoku Cloud still places HBAR in bearish territory, with resistance at $0.231 limiting recovery attempts.
Meanwhile, the relative strength index (RSI) is at 35.41, close to oversold conditions. If HBAR can recapture the critical resistance above $0.231, bullish momentum is likely to strengthen. However, without an increase in buying pressure, consolidation or further declines remain possible.
Despite aggressive whale stockpiling, Shiba Inu faces challenges
Shiba Inu (SHIB) is attempting a recovery after almost losing a decimal point. It gained 3% today and is trading at $0.00001632, improving its weekly performance. However, SHIB is still down 24% on the monthly chart, with whale activity playing a key role in shaping its future trajectory.
Data from IntoTheBlock indicates that there are 1,580 wallets holding between $100,000 and $1 million worth of SHIB, with a total value of over $600 million.
Meanwhile, there are 880 wallets holding between $1 million and $10 million worth of SHIB, for a total of $3 billion.
SHIB’s large transaction volume has dropped by 35% in the last 24 hours, which indicates possible whale fatigue. The drop from 2.19 trillion SHIB traded to 1.41 trillion SHIB may indicate reduced accumulation. Net network growth has also slowed, meaning that fewer new investors are entering the market.
Analyst Javon Marks predicts that if the pattern is completed, SHIB may rebound from 399% to $0.000081. However, bearish factors such as declining whale activity and overall market uncertainty remain obstacles.
Bitcoin's short-term trend depends on the Fed's next move. If the rate cut is delayed, Bitcoin may find it difficult to sustain its recovery. The weakening of the HBAR downtrend is a positive sign, but a clear bullish reversal is lacking. SHIB's price action is significantly influenced by whale activity, and the recent slowdown in large transactions raises concerns about sustained momentum.