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Bitcoin Slips 1.8% to Retest $101K as US PPI Falls to 2.3%, Lower Than Forecasts
May 15, 2025
Bitcoin is experiencing renewed pressure this week, shedding 1.8% today as markets digest the latest U.S. inflation data. The crypto firstborn has retested the support at $101,000 level. This pullback coincides with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ release of the April Producer Price Index (PPI), which revealed weaker-than-expected inflation at the producer level.
US PPI Drops Lower than Expected
Specifically, the PPI dropped by 0.5% on a monthly basis, marking the sharpest decline since the series began. Over the past 12 months, the index rose just 2.3%. Notably, this is a signal that upstream inflationary pressures are easing more rapidly than experts expect.
US Core PPI falls to 2.4%, lower than expectations.
Most of April’s PPI decline came from a massive 0.7% drop in final demand services, while goods prices held steady. Notably, trade service margins fell by 1.6%, with machinery and vehicle wholesaling plunging over 6%. Further, a sharp 39.4% collapse in egg prices also contributed to the overall decline in food-related producer prices. Meanwhile, core PPI, which strips out volatile food, energy, and trade services, ticked down 0.1%, the first such decline since April 2020.
These figures arrived just two days after the release of the April Consumer Price Index (CPI), which painted a similarly lower inflation picture. Specifically, headline CPI rose 0.2% for the month, bringing the annual inflation rate down to 2.3%, its lowest since February 2021. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, also rose 0.2% month-over-month and stood at 2.8% year-over-year. Also, egg prices at the consumer level fell 12.7%, though they remain significantly elevated, up over 49% from the same time last year.
How Does This Impact Potential Fed Decisions?
Notably, these two gauges are fundamentally different. The CPI shows price changes experienced by consumers at the retail level, directly impacting household expenses. In contrast, the PPI measures wholesale price changes that affect producers.
Interestingly, the dual release of soft CPI and PPI data has triggered speculation about the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions. As producer and consumer inflation both ease, the central bank may find new flexibility to consider rate cuts later in 2025.
Bitcoin Could Benefit
Such decisions could impact Bitcoin and broader crypto markets. Historically, Bitcoin has responded positively to looser monetary policy, as lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like crypto. If the Federal Reserve moves toward easing later this year, crypto markets could benefit from increased risk appetite and capital flows. However, there is still uncertainty. The Trump administration’s tariffs could still act as a potential inflationary wildcard that could complicate the Fed’s path forward.
Additionally, Bitcoin’s short-term technicals show vulnerability around the $101,000 support level, which, if broken, could lead to further downside despite bullish macroeconomic tailwinds. Bitcoin, which surged to a five-month high of $105,000 on May 12, is currently trading at $101,660. Despite the dip, Bitcoin remains up 8.26% for May and has gained 9.17% year-to-date, though it has slipped 2.06% over the past week.
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