The cryptocurrency declined for a third straight trading day as lower U.S. jobless claims reinforced hawkish Federal Reserve expectations and the U.S. Dollar Index climbed to 100.66 near a 13-month breakout.
Bitcoin fell nearly 3% toward $63,000, extending losses into a third straight trading day, after stronger-than-expected U.S. labor market data reduced expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts and helped lift the U.S. dollar. Initial jobless claims fell to 226,000, according to U.S. Department of Labor data, signaling labor-market resilience. At the same time, the U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.26% to 100.66 after a 0.8% gain in the previous session, with analysts saying it was nearing a breakout above a 13-month range. The combination of hawkish Fed signals and a stronger dollar added pressure to crypto and other risk-sensitive assets.