“Bitcoin Bears Emerge: Investors Brace for Fed Rate Hike and Whales Flock to Exchanges” 
The soaring gains that propelled Bitcoin to a remarkable 76% year-to-date surge have now given way to a downward spiral, with the cryptocurrency’s value briefly plunging below $29,000 on July 24. 
Numerous factors are contributing to the current Bitcoin price slump, with market analysts expressing concerns that the digital asset could potentially dip even further, reaching as low as $19,000. 
The anticipation of the Federal Reserve resuming interest rate hikes has cast a shadow on crypto traders’ sentiment. While there was a temporary sense of optimism when the Fed put rate increases on hold back in June, Chairman Jerome Powell’s repeated commitment to tackling inflation by restarting rate hikes if necessary has raised concerns. The market widely believes that the next Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) meeting on July 26 will see interest rate hikes reinstated, with the probability currently standing at an overwhelming 98.9%. 
Adding to the bearish sentiment is the prediction of a looming recession in the U.S., as major banks anticipate economic troubles in 2023. Investor sentiment regarding the state of the economy remains low, leading to cautious behavior. 
Bitcoin whales are also playing a role in the price downturn, with large investors moving significant amounts of BTC to centralized exchanges. On July 24, the inflow of BTC into exchanges reached a one-year high, indicating potential increased selling pressure that could further drive down the price. 
In addition to the economic factors, regulatory pressure from the U.S. government is causing uncertainty in the cryptocurrency market. While institutional interest in Bitcoin has been growing, the actions of U.S. regulators remain uncertain. Some market analysts speculate about the possibility of an Operation Chokepoint 2.0 initiative aiming to restrict access to digital currencies, although the SEC has previously stated that Bitcoin is not a security. The recent lawsuit against Ripple by the SEC and the agency’s plans to appeal the ruling add to the regulatory turbulence. 
Despite the short-term uncertainty, institutional investors maintain a positive long-term outlook for Bitcoin. Their push for Bitcoin financial instruments could potentially trigger a bullish rally in the future. 
However, the value of Bitcoin remains influenced by macroeconomic events, and further regulatory actions and interest rate hikes are likely to continue affecting its price. Despite the current slump, market participants still believe in Bitcoin’s recovery, especially as more financial institutions embrace the digital asset.

Bitcoin’s Bearish Slump: Today’s Price Downturn Unraveled

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