Bitcoin Market Moves and Powell's Impact: A Recap

Bitcoin (BTC), the flagship cryptocurrency, experienced a dip in its tickers, settling at the mark of $27,103. This decline occurred after a momentous surge following the Wall Street opening on September 28th. As market enthusiasts eagerly awaited fresh cues from the United States Federal Reserve, Bitcoin made waves by hitting new weekly highs.

BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: TradingView 

Bitcoin anticipates increased volatility ahead of Powell's speech

The market scenario was set in motion by Bitcoin, showcasing its characteristic volatility in the build-up to Powell's much-anticipated speech. TradingView's data revealed a notable resurgence in BTC's price on the eventful day of September 28th. Some analysts described this resurgence as a classic case of a "pump and dump," an intriguing market phenomenon witnessed in the 24 hours leading up to it.

During this impressive performance, Bitstamp recorded highs of $26,823, courtesy of a 2% daily gain. However, Bitcoin retraced all its progress soon after, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the cryptocurrency market. This was followed by a slower but steady climb in price, with bullish trends inching closer to the $27,000 mark at the time of crafting this narrative.

Bitcoin seemed to respond positively to the latest macroeconomic data from the United States. The GDP for the second quarter exhibited a year-on-year growth of 1.7%, slightly below the projected 2.0%. Similarly, the data for the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index in August aligned with the market's expectations.

"Embrace the volatility," encouraged Keith Alan, the co-founder of Material Indicators, addressing the X (formerly Twitter) community, anticipating the market dynamics that would follow.

Analyzing the Binance BTC/USD order book data shared by Alan, it was evident that there were few obstacles impeding the spot price from dipping below the $27,000 mark.

Marked up #FireCharts to help you see the Weekly/Monthly range for #BTC. pic.twitter.com/LQs8i2rZcV

— Keith Alan (@KAProductions) September 28, 2023

The macro data, although significant, served as a prelude to the day's main event: Jerome Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, was scheduled to share insights later during the Fed’s "Conversation with the Chair: A Teacher Town Hall Meeting" event in Washington, D.C. The event was slated to commence at 4:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 pm UTC), creating an aura of anticipation among market participants.

The BTC price is still facing challenges

However, it's crucial to note that the path for BTC price is not entirely clear of hurdles. In evaluating the state of play in the Bitcoin markets, popular trader and analyst Daan Crypto Trades expressed cautious optimism. He noted that while Bitcoin had returned to the highs of the previous day, the open interest was notably lower, indicating a less exuberant market sentiment compared to September 27th. He emphasized the importance of moderation in long positions to mitigate the risk of a complete retracement later.

A chart tracking open interest accompanied Daan Crypto Trades' insights, offering a visual representation of BTC/USD's ascent. On a parallel note, another adept trader and analyst, Rekt Capital, pointed out key resistance trend lines in play. Bitcoin needed to surmount these barriers to pave the way for a more substantial shift in its overall market trend.

BTC/USD chart with open interest data. Source: Daan Crypto Trades/X 

In the broader context of the day's analysis, Rekt Capital acknowledged the possibility of Bitcoin revisiting the $29,000 mark. This could potentially play a role in a more comprehensive downturn for Bitcoin. He highlighted the technical perspective, underscoring that Bitcoin could technically rally to levels as high as ~$29,000, forming a new Lower High (Phase A-B) in its market trajectory. The intricate details were beautifully portrayed alongside an illustrative chart for a comprehensive understanding.

#BTC is right back at the Bull Market Support Band cluster of moving averages, challenging to breakout beyond them$BTC #Crypto #Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/c32BiQOwJ5

— Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) September 28, 2023

Read more: Bitcoin's Upward Journey: Factors at Play