Bitcoin tops $60K amid Fed inflation talks: Is bull trap or $65K next?
Key takeaways:Persistent spot Bitcoin ETF outflows and US dollar strength reduce the odds of a quick bounce to $65,000.Strong AI sector earnings momentum and higher fixed-income returns pull capital from Bitcoin and gold. Bitcoin (BTC) reacted positively to US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warshs remarks on stubborn inflation. Despite the gains on Wednesday, traders fear that incentives for fixed-income investments and strong earnings momentum in tech stocks will continue to pressure non-yield-bearing assets like cryptocurrencies.US five-year Treasury yield (left) vs. Bitcoin/USD. Source: TradingView The US five-year Treasury yield jumped to 4.22%, meaning traders demanded higher returns to hold government bonds. Even as inflation eventually eases and WTI crude oil prices fell to a 4-month low, investors anticipate monetary expansion. Regardless of how the Fed manages interest rates and its balance sheet, the US Treasury dictates debt issuance trends.Implied odds of FED interest rates on Sept. 16. Source: CME FedWatch Tool US government bond futures implied 64% odds of interest rate hikes by September, up from 23% one month prior. The higher expected return on fixed-income investments came as the US dollar strengthened against other major global fiat currencies, which is especially concerning for alternative hedges such as gold and Bitcoin.Gold/USD (left) vs. US