Bitcoin Slumps as Treasury Yields Spike, Pressuring Risk Assets

Bitcoin price dropped on Tuesday morning as Treasury yields rose sharply, putting pressure on risk assets.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency was last trading down by 5% to $96,529.13, according to Coin Metrics. The broader market of cryptocurrencies, as measured by the CoinDesk 20 index, dropped more than 6%.

Crypto stocks Coinbase and MicroStrategy fell more than 7% and 10%, respectively. Bitcoin miners Mara Holdings and Core Scientific were down about 5% each.

The moves followed a sudden increase in the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield after data released by the Institute for Supply Management showed faster-than-expected growth in the U.S. services sector in December, adding to concerns about stickier inflation. Rising yields tend to pressure growth oriented risk assets.

Bitcoin traded above $102,000 on Monday and is expected to about double this year from that level. Investors are hoping that clearer regulation will support digital asset prices and in turn benefit stocks like Coinbase and Robinhood.

However, uncertainty about the path of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts could put bumps in the road for crypto prices. In December, the central bank signaled that although it was cutting rates a third time, it may do fewer rate cuts in 2025 than investors had anticipated. Historically, rate cuts have had a positive effect on bitcoin price while hikes have had a negative impact.

Bitcoin is up more than 3% since the start of the year. It posted a 120% gain for 2024.