Markets
Crypto Markets Stagger as Rising Treasury Yields Pressure Risky Assets
BlackRock’s IBIT surpassed GBTC to become the largest Bitcoin ETF with nearly $20 billion in assets.
Global markets traded lower on Wednesday as US Treasury yields rose for a second day, hurting risky assets such as stocks and cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin and Ether fell more than 1%, while Solana consolidated around the $170 level.
Meanwhile, memecoins are cooling off after a torrid week. BONK, FLOKI and PEPE recorded losses between 8% and 10%, making them the biggest losers among the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Rising Treasury yields often reflect expectations of tighter monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. If the market anticipates that the Fed will raise interest rates to combat inflation, this could signal a slowdown in the economy, which is generally negative for risk assets.
Investors are already tempering their expectations regarding imminent interest rate cuts. O CME Fedwatch This tool indicates a near certainty that rates will remain unchanged through the summer, with just a 42% probability of a reduction in September.
IBIT becomes GBTC
BlackRock’s IBIT is now the largest Bitcoin ETF in the world after surpassing Grayscale’s GBTC yesterday. IBIT holds over 288,000 BTC, worth nearly $20 billion at current prices.
Bitcoin ETFs saw cumulative inflows of $45 million on Tuesday, with IBIT raising $102 million while GBTC lost $105 million in assets.