Bitcoin sank Wednesday before the US Federal Reserve s interest rate call, and after a mixed launch in Hong Kong of investment products tracking the world s top cryptocurrency and rival ether. However, Hong Kong s first spot bitcoin and ether ETFs, launched on Tuesday, received a lukewarm reception.
In their Hong Kong debut on Tuesday, six spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) delivered mixed performances amid relatively tepid trading, reflecting the city s assessment of Asian investors interest in cryptocurrency assets.
Bitcoin s price dropped by 5.60% to $66,650 due to fading enthusiasm in the crypto market. US manufacturing showed growth in March after 16 months of contraction, raising expectations that the Federal Reserve may not cut rates in June. Bond traders adjusted expectations for monetary policy easing.
Bitcoin is forecast to keep on rising after hitting fresh two-year highs above $50,000 on Thursday, leaving analysts to wonder whether investors have moved on from recent cryptocurrency setbacks, including scandals. The world s biggest cryptocurrency reached $52,749, a high since December 2021.
In early trade on Saturday, Bitcoin was trading over 5% higher at $42,003. Also, as per reports, over $4 billion of funds have flowed into the new spot bitcoin ETFs, particularly to products operated by BlackRock and Fidelity.