#Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are down.#

The recent decline in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices is primarily attributed to heightened market concerns over long-term inflation. Min Jung, an analyst at Presto Research, points out that markets, including stocks, have been weak due to macroeconomic concerns about persistent inflation. Faster-than-expected US economic growth has fueled worries about sustained inflation, leading to a surge in bond yields, with the 10-year Treasury yield reaching its highest level since April. Rachael Lucas, a cryptocurrency analyst at BTC Markets, adds that the latest US economic data has led traders to anticipate the Federal Reserve maintaining higher interest rates for a longer period. The market was previously unsettled by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments in December, which indicated a firm stance on monetary policy and dampened hopes for further rate cuts, thereby exacerbating volatility. Looking ahead, President-elect Trump's inauguration on January 20 is expected to trigger market fluctuations as investors anticipate policy shifts.