Bitcoin (BTC), Rebounding on the Back of Favorable U.S. Inflation Indicators

Bitcoin (BTC, Bitcoin), rebounding on the back of favorable U.S. inflation indicators, is showing an upward trend, hitting an all-time high just hours before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (2 a.m. KST on the 21st).

Bitcoin (BTC) is showing an upward trend just hours before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (2 a.m. KST on the 21st), hitting an all-time high on the back of favorable U.S. inflation indicators.

Market participants are keenly watching what Trump will say during the inauguration.

Market experts have analyzed that Bitcoin could show strength if it stably breaks the major resistance of $108,500, but if it falls below the support level of $102,000, the decline could widen.

As of 7:01 p.m. on the 20th, Bitcoin is trading at 161.69 million won on the Upbit KRW market, up 4.58% from the previous day (equivalent to $108,292 on the Binance USDT market). At the same time, the Kimchi Premium (price difference between overseas and domestic exchanges) is at 3.17%.

As U.S. inflation concerns have eased recently, bond yields have plummeted, and global stock and crypto markets have risen. Previously, the market had been adjusted by stronger-than-expected U.S. labor indicators, but a relief rally unfolded as both producer and consumer prices were contained recently.

On the 15th (local time), the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December rose 3.2% year-on-year and 0.2% month-on-month. Analysts say that as U.S. consumer prices met or slightly fell short of expectations, investor sentiment improved. Meanwhile, the core CPI, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, is known as the most important indicator for the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) when considering monetary policy.

With the improvement in inflation indicators, expectations for a rate cut are reviving in the market. CNBC reported on the 15th that "the core CPI for December slowed more than expected and recorded another bright inflation figure following the December Producer Price Index (PPI) announced the previous day." Bloomberg also reported, "As the U.S. core CPI for December finally eased, expectations have grown that the Fed will cut rates early."

However, there are still concerns in the market about Trump-induced inflation. According to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) FedWatch as of 7 p.m. that day, the probability that the Fed will hold the benchmark interest rate at 0.25% this month is 99.5%. FedWatch predicts a 28.2% chance of a freeze in March and a 39% chance of a cut in May.

Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw a net inflow of $1.86326 billion (about 2.6991 trillion won) last week (13th-17th). The recent introduction of strategic Bitcoin reserve bills by Texas and Arizona and news that the Trump administration plans to include several industry CEOs on the crypto advisory committee have heightened expectations. Meanwhile, at least 10 U.S. states are reportedly planning to introduce bills for Bitcoin reserves.

Bitcoin has recently undergone adjustments, and analysts say that many of the overheating factors have been resolved. On-chain analysis platform Glassnode stated in a research report, "After Bitcoin recently approached $108,000 and underwent adjustments, many of the market's overheating factors have been resolved," adding, "The current crypto market has relatively reduced declines and volatility." The report analyzed that the recent stress reduction in the market is due to the inflow of spot buying by ETFs and institutional investors.

The report added, "The degree of market anxiety in the recent adjustment was relatively low compared to past declines that appeared at the peak," and "Currently, Bitcoin is significantly above the average purchase price (average price) of short-term investors, which shows that the foundation of the bull market remains solid."

There is also an observation that Bitcoin has shown strong resilience despite inflationary pressures amid expectations for Trump's policies. Global crypto exchange Bitfinex stated, "Recently, Bitcoin has maintained resilience despite macroeconomic pressures," adding, "In the short term, volatility may intensify, but optimism about President-elect Trump's pro-crypto policies is expected to limit Bitcoin's losses and position Bitcoin strongly in the long term."

There is also an analysis that whale investors are accumulating Bitcoin again. Crypto data analysis firm Santiment stated in a research report, "Whale wallets holding 10 or more Bitcoins have stopped inflows since December last year but seem to have resumed Bitcoin accumulation recently," adding, "These movements suggest that Bitcoin's recent rebound is a solid rebound." However, there is also a forecast that the market's liquidity may shrink somewhat in the future as the supply of Tether (USDT) and