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.


Risk Warning: This article represents only the author’s views and is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, investment research, or a recommendation to trade, nor does it represent the stance of the Markets.com platform. When considering shares, indices, forex (foreign exchange), and commodities for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leveraged products can result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Before trading, ensure you fully understand the risks involved and consider your investment objectives and level of experience. Trading cryptocurrency CFDs and spread bets is restricted for all UK retail clients.

Latest news

Friday, 8 May 2026

Indices

India's Tech Boom: India’s Offshore Tech Hubs Near 2030 Milestone in FY26

Friday, 8 May 2026

Indices

Gold Price Today, May 09: Gold (XAUUSD) at $4,720 Faces Correction Risk After 250% Rally as Oil Leads Markets

Thursday, 7 May 2026

Indices

Tata Gold ETF Rides XAUUSD Breakout as Middle East Developments Shake Markets

Thursday, 7 May 2026

Indices

Gold Price Today, May 08: XAUUSD Surge to $4,753 on Easing Oil and Inflation Signals

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Indices

Crypto Market News Today: Dogecoin DOGEUSD Surges Past $0.115 as Meme Coin Momentum Builds in 2026

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Indices

Gold Price Today, May 07: XAU/USD Soars 2.73% to Record $4,685 Amid Market Rally

Tuesday, 5 May 2026

Indices

Forex Market Today: USD/JPY Surges Above 150 as Dollar Strength Returns Amid Fed Rate Outlook

Tuesday, 5 May 2026

Indices

Q1 2026 Earnings to Watch Today: Coca-Cola (KO) Set to Report Before Market Open

Tuesday, 5 May 2026

Indices

Gold Price Today, May 06: XAU/USD Hits Fresh Highs Above $4,600 as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid Global Uncertainty

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

Indices

Commodity Market Today: UAE to Leave OPEC After Nearly 60 Years in Major Blow to Oil Cartel