JPMorgan: The crypto market is in a wait-and-see mode, awaiting clearer macroeconomic or structural catalysts
ChainCatcher news, according to The Block, JPMorgan analysts have pointed out several key factors that may affect the cryptocurrency market in the coming months, mentioning technologies, geopolitical issues, and structural events that could drive price volatility. In a research report released on Monday, analysts discussed the seasonal "Uptober" trend, the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts, the approval of Bitcoin ETF options, and the upcoming Ethereum upgrade known as Pectra.
One key conclusion of the report is that October has historically shown strong performance, often referred to as "Uptober," with over 70% of Octobers yielding positive returns for Bitcoin. The analysts wrote, "Although past performance is not indicative of future results, we believe the popularity of 'Uptober' could influence behavior and lead to positive Bitcoin performance this October." Despite the recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, the analysts noted that the broader cryptocurrency market has yet to see the anticipated positive effects; while a rate-cutting environment typically supports risk assets, the correlation between total cryptocurrency market capitalization and the federal funds rate remains weak at 0.46. Since the Fed's rate cut on September 18, we have not seen a significant rise in cryptocurrency prices due to the cuts, and the market may be waiting for more sustained stability before making a decisive shift.
Additionally, the analysts acknowledged that it is difficult to accurately predict how cryptocurrencies will respond to interest rate cycles due to a lack of historical data. Another potential catalyst is the recently approved spot Bitcoin ETF options trading. The analysts expect this could deepen market liquidity and attract new participants. This development could initiate a positive feedback loop, enhancing market structure and making digital assets more accessible to institutional investors. The upcoming Ethereum upgrade, referred to as "Pectra," is also seen as a significant development.
The analysts stated, "While Pectra is expected to have a transformative impact on Ethereum's functionality, we believe this upgrade is more structural than a direct price catalyst. The long-term impact of Pectra will be to improve Ethereum's operational efficiency and adoption rates, but it is unlikely to trigger a short-term surge in Ether prices."
The analysts concluded that the cryptocurrency market is currently in a wait-and-see mode, looking for clearer macroeconomic or structural catalysts to drive sustained growth. They stated, "We continue to see the crypto ecosystem becoming increasingly sensitive to macro factors, so we are waiting for the next major catalyst to drive the ecosystem's development and enhance retail participation for long-term growth."
