• Cryptocurrencies, notably Bitcoin, witnessed a rally as Moody’s downgraded 10 U.S. banks and flagged others, creating an environment of uncertainty in the banking sector.
• This has led to a growing sentiment that Bitcoin could act as a safe haven in times of banking turmoil, as reflected in the decoupling of its correlation with the stock market.

With excitement in the air, CNBC has reported that cryptocurrencies rose sharply on Tuesday following Moody’s rating cut of 10 U.S. banks, putting Bitcoin in the spotlight as a potential safe-haven asset.

A Change in the Wind for the Banking Sector

Early Tuesday morning, Moody’s cut the ratings of some significant names such as Bank of New York Mellon, U.S. Bancorp, State Street, and Northern Trust, putting them on downgrade watch. This action reignited investors’ interest in Bitcoin, leading to a 2.89% increase to $29,785.88, according to Coin Metrics.

US Banking Crisis: A Deepening Worry

Moody’s actions extend far beyond those 10 banks. The credit rating agency shifted the outlook of 11 banks from stable to negative and flagged six banking giants for potential downgrades, including names like Webster Financial Corporation, Fulton Financial Corporation, and Pinnacle Financial Partners.

Furthermore, Moody’s commented on growing profitability pressures, projecting a mild U.S. recession for early 2024. Asset quality looks set to decline, with particular risks in some banks’ commercial real estate portfolios, which can lead to investment impairments in the current high-interest-rate environment.

Bitcoin as the Beneficiary of Banking Turmoil

Earlier in the year, a crisis among U.S. banks sparked a major rally in Bitcoin, leading to the sentiment that the cryptocurrency could serve as an alternative to traditional banking systems. This belief is resonating again, as Greg Magadini, director of derivatives at Amberdata, stated,

“Bitcoin is holding strong. The correlation between the stock market and Bitcoin is decoupling as Bitcoin has proven to be a beneficiary of banking turmoil.”

Ongoing Risks: A Catalyst for Bitcoin?

The catalysts of the banking crisis earlier this year remain, leaving banks at risk of withdrawal rushes. These uncertainties, along with Moody’s recent downgrades and warnings, have led to a fall in U.S. stock markets. In contrast, Bitcoin’s value is on the rise, marking a noteworthy decoupling from traditional market trends and fueling speculation that Bitcoin could indeed be considered a safe haven in the midst of banking instability.

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