Bitcoin analysts forecast pre-election surge, warn of potential post-election sell-off

Quick Take

  • Bitcoin is poised for a potential increase in value as the U.S. elections on November 5 approach; however, analysts caution that a sell-off could follow.
  • The largest digital asset by market capitalization is now trading just below the $69,000 mark, with just over one week to go before the U.S. presidential election on November 5.

The price of bitcoin may surge ahead of the U.S. elections on November 5, but analysts caution that a sell-off could occur in the days following the election results, regardless of the winner.

"Profit-taking could weigh on the price of bitcoin in the days following the result announcement, yet dip buyers should maintain support strong below $60,000," Tyr Capital Chief Investment Officer Edouard Hindi told The Block. He added that irrespective of the election outcome, bitcoin will likely regain momentum in the medium term and aim for new highs in 2024.

Bitget Research Chief Analyst Ryan Lee reiterated this perspective, emphasizing that bitcoin is poised for significant growth in the coming week as Americans prepare to head to the polls next Tuesday.

"Several factors support bitcoin's potential rise, particularly the anticipated interest rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The broader market expects a 25 basis point cut on November 7, which would lower rates to the 4.5% to 4.75% range, reflecting a need for adjustments to stabilize economic growth," Lee said.

Lee emphasized that the two-day gap between the U.S. elections and the Federal Reserve’s rate decision could significantly influence bitcoin’s price.

"The direction of this impact will depend on whether a pro-bitcoin candidate emerges victorious," he said.

Potential bitcoin sell pressure factors

Lee also highlighted that upcoming events, such as the Microsoft Board's impending vote on investing in bitcoin, could influence market dynamics following the election. Microsoft has placed an "assessment of investing in bitcoin" on the ballot for its 2024 annual shareholder meeting, which is scheduled for early December.

“If the board votes against investing in Bitcoin, it could dampen market enthusiasm and hinder Bitcoin's growth,” Lee stated. Conversely, he noted that if Microsoft decides to invest, it could spark a significant upward movement in the market.

With a 70% confidence interval, Lee predicts bitcoin could trade between approximately $66,000 and $75,000 over the next week, while Ethereum may range from $2,350 to $3,200. He also suggested that improving liquidity could lead to increased activity in altcoins.

Amid these discussions, Donald Trump's recent interview on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast has garnered over 32 million views, boosting his Polymarket odds to above 66%. However, despite crypto being associated with the "Trump Trade," Bitcoin’s correlation with Trump's odds appears to be weakening, according to analysts at QCP Capital.

"Bitcoin is only up 8% this October, compared to an average increase of 21%. If bitcoin holds at its current levels, this would mark its fourth-worst performance for October in the past decade," the analysts added.

Bitcoin is currently changing hands at $68,500, according to The Block's Price Page. The global cryptocurrency market cap today is $2.42 trillion, a 0.9% decrease in the last 24 hours, according to Coinglass data

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2024 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

About Author

Brian McGleenon is a UK-based markets reporter for The Block. He has worked as a financial journalist and producer for multiple news outlets over the years, such as Fuji Television, The Independent, Yahoo Finance, The Evening Standard, and The Daily Express. Brian is also a screenwriter and producer with one feature film produced and one in development with Northern Ireland Screen. Apart from web3 and cryptocurrency developments, he is also interested in geopolitics, environmental issues, artificial intelligence, and longevity research. Get in touch via email [email protected].