Bitcoin Volatility Incoming? Two Things to Watch Over the Week

The bear market has been relentless. The little upward momentum gathered last week came to halt. For the most part, the price action has been at the mercy of good and bad news. The whales are hibernating, and with little volatility, Bitcoin is, by far and large, directionless.

But experts are impatiently gearing up for some movement that would change the current market dynamic. And volatility may not be very far away. In fact, this is what may put more pressure on the crypto market. At a precarious $17,000, Bitcoin is at risk of losing more edge as the space continues to hover in the “fear” zone.

Despite the lack of momentum, there is hardly any boring side of crypto. But the upcoming volatility is to watch out for.

CPI and FOMC to Cap Off the Year?

The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) is yet another big event that the market participants are bracing themselves for. The report, which is slated to be released on December 13, has, historically, triggered large swings in the price of the world’s largest crypto-asset. Hence, Bitcoin can finally break away from its sideways price action despite trading rather calmly leading up to the fact.

Additionally, the meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will conclude the very next day. During the latter, the institution will discuss possible interest-rate hikes.

A higher-than-expected CPI print and a more hawkish Fed could haunt any upward projection rally, similar to April and August reversals. On the contrary, another disinflationary print could see “many chase a continuation of the rally into year-end.”

With less than an hour and a half to go, #Bitcoin is literally trading at the line separating the weekly close from Red/Green.#CPI Report Tuesday, #FED rate hikes and #JPow speaks on Wednesday. Stay tuned for volatility. pic.twitter.com/5KzDYYvd1T

— Material Indicators (@MI_Algos) December 11, 2022

SBF Potential Hearing

The headaches of the FTX drama are unlikely to end anytime soon. More scoops will be unraveled, and so will more companies. The disgraced chief of the bankrupt crypto exchange – Sam Bankman-Fried, is expected to appear in front of a Congressional committee tomorrow, December 13th.

It is important to note that, despite all the accusations of deliberate fraud and a growing chorus of people pressing for a more grueling investigation, Bankman-Fried has been “invited,” and not subpoenaed. After initial reluctance, SBF has agreed to provide an “explanation” of what went wrong.