Bitcoin's 'Santa' Rally: Will it Materialize This Year?

The cryptocurrency market, led by Bitcoin, is eagerly awaiting the Federal Reserve's (Fed) decision on interest rates. Investors are hoping for a potential surge in Bitcoin prices during December, known as the 'Santa rally.' This scenario hinges on several factors, including the Fed's monetary policy and improved market liquidity.

Coinbase Institutional's Projections

According to a research report by Coinbase Institutional, improved liquidity conditions and rising odds of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut may catalyze a recovery in the crypto market during December. The report indicated that the odds of a rate cut had jumped to 92% (as of Dec 4), in addition to other supporting macroeconomic tailwinds.

Investor Fears and the Impact of Fed Remarks

Despite the positive outlook, market sentiment remains cautious, with institutional and retail investors hesitant to deploy new capital. This is due to fears of any hawkish remarks from central bank officials, which could negatively impact investor sentiment and hinder any potential rally.

Fed Decision's Influence on Bitcoin's Momentum in 2026

Analysts believe that Bitcoin's prospects for the first quarter of 2026 may largely depend on the remarks of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. If the Fed cuts rates on December 10th, along with ending quantitative tightening, there will be little standing in the way of a 'Santa rally' for Bitcoin, barring any major geopolitical bombshell.

However, investors will closely scrutinize every word spoken by Jerome Powell during the press conference to gain insight into the monetary policy for 2026. Any hawkish tone could limit this potential rally.

Analyst Expectations for Bitcoin Recovery

Other analysts attribute Bitcoin's sell-off pressure in November to Powell's previous hawkish remarks, but they anticipate a recovery in December. They point out that the market has already tested the $80,000 region and the 100-week average, in addition to incremental positives such as Vanguard allowing ETF trading.

The Impact of Kevin Hassett's Appointment as Fed Chair

Another fundamental driver supporting crypto assets is the growing speculation that National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett will be appointed the next Federal Reserve Chair in early 2026, a move that would usher in a 'notably more dovish' policy stance, according to analysts.


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