What’s behind the correction in the US stock market and how might it continue to negatively impact cryptocurrencies?
The S&P 500 index experienced a 2.6% decline over the past two days, testing the 5,523 level on July 18. This correction erased gains from the previous two weeks but saw decent buying activity in the last trading hours after chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM) reported earnings above market consensus.
Investor morale was negatively affected, which partially explains why Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) traded down on July 18. Understanding the reasons behind the US stock market decline is essential to determine whether cryptocurrencies should sustain a positive correlation.
Fear of rising inflation due to unsustainable government debt might present a short-term negative impact but it also opens an opportunity as investors seek alternative scarce assets. However, if investors feel that the economy is worsening, especially in the job market, traders are likely to seek protection in cash and short-term government bonds.