Cryptocurrency prices drop overnight settling at $41,900

Bitcoin rivals Ethereum and Dogecoin were trading at $3,146 and 15 cents, respectively, Coinbase reported.

Sunday night, Bloomberg reported the Federal Reserve expects at least four rate hikes during 2022 – up from the three rate hikes predicted earlier.

In addition, Friday’s U.S. labor market report revealed the unemployment rate dipped to 3.9%, Coinbase reported, and has strengthened the case for the Fed to hike rates concurrently with the end of asset purchases in March. 

Fears of a hawkish Fed rattled the bitcoin market toward the end of last quarter after the central bank shifted its focus to inflation control from maximum employment. In December, the Fed announced at least three rate hikes by the end of 2022 and an end of the asset purchase program by March.