Bitcoin Makes a Push for $57K as Fed Taper Fears Linger, Leveraged Funds Boost Shorts

Bitcoin Makes a Push for $57K as Fed Taper Fears Linger, Leveraged Funds Boost Shorts

Bitcoin jumped to a fresh five-month high early Monday, extending the two-week price rally even though Friday’s weak U.S. jobs report failed to dampen expectations for Federal Reserve (Fed) tapering in November. The market also turned a blind eye toward the data showing supposedly bearish positioning by leveraged funds in the futures market.

The cryptocurrency rose to $57,000 during the early European hours, hitting the highest since mid-May, according to CoinDesk 20 data. Prices rose 13% in the week ended Oct. 10, registering its second straight double-digit weekly gain.