Bitcoin bounces at $36.2K lows as CPI inflation slows beyond forecasts

Bitcoin (BTC) targeted $37,000 at the Nov. 14 Wall Street open as the latest United States inflation data undercut expectations.

CPI offers Bitcoin, stocks a pleasant surprise

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC price strength returning as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflected slowing inflation in October.

CPI came in 0.1% below market forecasts both year-on-year and month-on-month. The annual change was 3.2% versus 4.0% for core CPI.

“The all items index rose 3.2 percent for the 12 months ending October, a smaller increase than the 3.7-percent increase for the 12 months ending September,” an official press release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed.

“The all items less food and energy index rose 4.0 percent over the last 12 months, its smallest 12-month change since the period ending in September 2021.”

Compared with October, where CPI was just one inflation metric, which overshot versus market consensus, the situation was palpably different. Stocks immediately offered a warm reaction at the Wall Street open, with the S&P 500 up 1.5% on the day.

“This is the 31st consecutive month with inflation above 3%. But, inflation seems to be back on the DECLINE,” financial commentary resource The Kobeissi Letter wrote in part of a reaction.

Kobeissi, traditionally skeptical of Fed policy in the current inflationary environment, nonetheless called the print a good result.

In line with other recent CPI releases, meanwhile, Bitcoin reacted only modestly, revisiting an intraday low before rising toward $37,000 while still rangebound.

Analyzing market composition, however, on-chain monitoring resource Material Indicators noted that liquidity was overall thin — a key ingredient for aiding volatility.

With whales quiet on exchanges, it added, retail investors were increasing BTC exposure.

“It’s no coincidence that the 2 smallest order classes are buying,” it commented alongside a print of BTC/USDT order book liquidity on the largest global exchange, Binance.

“Upside liquidity around the active trading zone is so thin, whales can’t make large orders without major slippage. Watching the smaller order classes on the FireCharts CVD bid BTC up as support strengthens above $36k.”

Analyst: Accept BTC price retracements

Down around 4% from the 18-month highs seen earlier in the month, BTC price action still impressed market participants, who argued that comedowns within the broader uptrend were not only standard but appropriate.

Related: Bitcoin institutional inflows top $1B in 2023 amid BTC supply squeeze

“Bitcoin already down 4.5% from the highs; bull market corrections are normal and healthy,” James Van Straten, research and data analyst at crypto insights firm CryptoSlate, told X (formerly Twitter) subscribers on the day.

“Could see up to 20% drawdowns, from profit-taking or liquidations. This is a normal occurrence and has been seen in previous cycles.”

Van Straten precised CryptoSlate analysis from Nov. 13, which suggested that deeper BTC price corrections could still come, given BTC/USD was up 120% year-to-date.

“It is important to note that market corrections are a normal part of any financial cycle, contributing to the overall health of the market,” he stressed.

In an interview with Cointelegraph, Filbfilb, co-founder of trading suite DecenTrader, likewise predicted that Bitcoin could see a significant drawdown before the April 2024 block subsidy halving event.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.