Jerome Powell’s Upcoming Speech May Spark a Crypto Market Collapse – What to Anticipate
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will speak on the U.S. economic outlook and monetary policy at the NABE meeting in Philadelphia. The address arrives amid heightened volatility from renewed U.S.–China trade tensions and a sharp correction in digital assets. Analysts expect his remarks to shape expectations for interest‑rate cuts and could influence whether crypto markets stabilize or worsen. President Trump announced a 100 % tariff on all Chinese imports starting Nov 1, sending the crypto market cap down by more than $125 billion in hours. Bitcoin fell from above $122 k to under $102 k, Ethereum dropped nearly 20 %, and over 1.6 million traders faced $19.3 billion in liquidations. The sell‑off was amplified by excess leverage and long‑biased positions, driving the Fear & Greed Index from 64 (“Greed”) to 27 (“Fear”). A softer tone from Trump and Vice President Vance helped Bitcoin recover about 4.5 % and Ether 11 % on Monday, yet tensions remain as China threatens retaliation. Futures markets show a 97 % chance of a 25‑basis‑point Fed cut in October and 89 % for December, making Powell's speech pivotal. Gold and silver surged to record highs, reflecting investors' search for safety amid ongoing geopolitical risk.
