$BTC surged above **$95,000**, gaining over **3.5% in the past 24 hours**, after fresh U.S. inflation data reinforced expectations for **Federal Reserve rate cuts** later this year. The move places BTC back into a **critical resistance zone** that has capped upside since late November.
### 📊 What’s Driving the Move?
The rally followed the release of **cooling U.S. CPI data**:
* **Headline CPI:** 2.7% YoY (unchanged)
* **Core CPI:** Came in **below expectations**
* Signals easing inflation pressure and supports the **soft-landing narrative**
Lower inflation reduced fears of renewed tightening and renewed demand for **macro hedges** like Bitcoin and gold.
### 📈 Bitcoin Tests Key Resistance
* $BTC rebounded from weekend lows near **$91,000**
* Now trading between **$95,000 – $97,000**, a major resistance band
* This zone has rejected price multiple times over the past two months
📌 A clean breakout could open the path toward **$100,000**, while rejection may lead to further consolidation.
### 🔄 Altcoins & Broader Markets
Major altcoins followed BTC higher:
* **Ethereum (ETH):** +1.9% to ~$3,200
* **BNB:** +1.6% to ~$910
* **CoinDesk 20 Index:** +1.5%
Meanwhile:
* **Gold** extended its rally above **$4,650/oz**, signaling persistent hedge demand
* **U.S. equities** (S&P 500, Nasdaq) slipped ~0.2%, showing divergence between crypto and traditional risk assets
### 🧠 Inflation Data Reshapes Rate Expectations
According to Matt Mena, crypto strategist at 21Shares:
> “Core inflation coming in lower than expected reinforces the Fed’s soft-landing narrative and meaningfully increases the probability of additional rate cuts later this year.”
Lower rates reduce the appeal of cash and bonds, historically benefiting **alternative assets like Bitcoin**. While immediate cuts remain unlikely, markets are increasingly pricing in **easing later in 2026**.
### 🎯 Bitcoin Eyes $100,000
* **Resistance:** $95K – $97K
* **Support:** $94K, then $91K
If upcoming **retail sales and housing data** confirm economic resilience, analysts believe BTC could **break resistance and target $100K before month-end**, potentially setting up fresh all-time highs later this quarter.
### ⚡ Key Catalysts Ahead
Traders are closely watching:
* Progress on **U.S. digital asset market structure legislation**
* A pending **Supreme Court ruling on tariff authority**
* Political tensions surrounding **Fed independence**
* Upcoming U.S. macro data releases
### 🧩 Bottom Line
Bitcoin’s rally is being fueled by **cooling inflation, shifting rate expectations, and renewed macro-hedge demand**. The next major move depends on whether BTC can **hold above $95,000 and decisively break the $97K resistance zone**.
📌 A confirmed breakout could accelerate momentum toward **$100,000** — failure may mean more range-bound trading.
