Bitcoin Falls Below $80,000 as US Jobs Surprise Lifts Fed Hike Odds

US nonfarm payrolls are a key gauge of labor-market strength and a major input into Federal Reserve policy. Bloomberg economist Anna Wong said another decline in August employment would mark two consecutive months of job losses. Historically, the Fed has never raised interest rates during such a streak, which would signal that economic momentum is weakening despite policymakers’ concern about inflation.

The August payrolls report, due next week, now carries heightened significance after the Fed chair’s hawkish remarks briefly lifted expectations for a September rate increase. The shift in rate bets also pressured risk assets, with Bitcoin falling below $78,000. But the prospect of another negative payroll reading has since sharply reduced the perceived likelihood of a September hike as investors refocus on deteriorating labor demand.

The US nonfarm payrolls report is a key gauge of labor-market momentum and a major input into Federal Reserve policy expectations. An unexpected contraction in employment pointed to softer economic conditions, prompting traders to scale back bets on further rate increases. The shift supported risk assets, including Bitcoin, as lower expected borrowing costs improved demand for speculative investments.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that US nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, sharply undershooting market expectations. Bitcoin climbed above $65,000 and briefly reached $65,300, its highest level in August, before consolidating near the threshold. Attention now turns to the US consumer price index due Aug. 12, which could determine whether remaining Fed rate-hike positions unwind further.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ nonfarm payrolls report is a key gauge used by the Federal Reserve in setting the path for interest rates, and a cooling labor market can ease pressure for rate increases. As AI technology stocks weakened on valuation and earnings concerns, some capital shifted into supply-constrained bitcoin and gold, allowing both risk appetite and demand for safe havens to support crypto assets.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in July that nonfarm payrolls rose by just 57,000 in June, far below market expectations. Bitcoin subsequently broke above $61,000 and held that level. U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs recorded $220 million in net inflows for the day, ending 10 consecutive trading days of net outflows and signaling a recovery in buying demand.

US Labor Department data showed that nonfarm payrolls rose far less than the market expected in June, easing investor concerns that the Federal Reserve would maintain tight monetary policy. Such a shift in interest-rate expectations typically benefits risk assets and fueled demand for cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ether.

After the data was released in July, Bitcoin briefly climbed above $62,000 to a new high for the month, while Ether topped $1,700. The sharp rally battered short sellers, with about 130,000 traders liquidated across the market within 24 hours. Liquidations exceeded $630 million, and the largest single liquidation reached $18.2 million.

Gold and Bitcoin are both sensitive to US interest rates and investor risk appetite. When US Labor Department employment data beat expectations, markets typically price in a steeper Federal Reserve rate-hike path, lifting the dollar and bond yields. That weakens the appeal of non-yielding gold and puts cryptocurrencies under pressure as capital flows out.

The latest shift followed US nonfarm payrolls data for May that far exceeded expectations, prompting markets to raise the probability of a Fed rate increase by the end of 2026 to about 70%. International gold prices then fell below $4,200 an ounce, erasing their gains since the start of 2026. The retreat from safe-haven assets also spilled into crypto markets, sending Bitcoin below the $60,000 threshold.

The U.S. Labor Department's monthly nonfarm payrolls and unemployment data are key gauges used by the Federal Reserve to assess inflation, wage pressures and interest-rate policy. Continued labor-market resilience would reduce the urgency for Fed rate cuts, tighten expectations for dollar liquidity and weigh on valuations of risk assets such as cryptocurrencies.

The Labor Department's latest data showed nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, well above market expectations, while the unemployment rate held at 4.3%. After the release, traders increased bets that the Fed would delay rate cuts this year or even resume raising rates. The more hawkish rate outlook added pressure on cryptocurrencies and other risk assets.

Bitcoin recently fell below the psychological support level of $80,000, reflecting pressure on risk assets in a high-interest-rate environment. Nonfarm payrolls data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics will shape market expectations for the Federal Reserve's rate-cut timeline, making the report an important basis for repricing cryptocurrency investments.

The latest liquidation heat map showed heavy concentrations of leveraged long and short positions between $78,000 and $83,000. A rapid move beyond either boundary could trigger cascading liquidations. Markets are awaiting the US April nonfarm payrolls report for clues about the Fed's interest-rate path and Bitcoin's near-term direction.

The U.S. nonfarm payrolls report is a key gauge the Federal Reserve uses to assess the labor market and inflationary pressures, and it also influences interest rates and the dollar. Stronger-than-expected job growth in April pointed to continued economic resilience. For Bitcoin, robust data could delay interest-rate cuts, making $80,000 an important test of risk appetite.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said nonfarm payrolls rose by 115,000 in April, nearly double the market forecast of 62,000. Bitcoin showed little volatility after the release, holding at around $80,200. Markets will next focus on whether Kevin Warsh changes interest-rate and balance-sheet policy after taking over as Federal Reserve chair.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ nonfarm payrolls report is a key gauge of labor-market and economic resilience, and it influences the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decisions. If employment remains strong and inflationary pressure persists, expected rate cuts could be delayed, affecting risk assets including Bitcoin.

U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 178,000 in March, far above the market forecast of 60,000, while the unemployment rate stood at 4.3%. Bitcoin briefly broke above $67,000 after the data was released, then retreated and fluctuated near that level. Investors are assessing whether the strong jobs figures could put potential Federal Reserve rate increases back in focus.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ nonfarm payrolls report is a key indicator for assessing the economy and the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate path. Employment posted a rare contraction in February, signaling weaker demand for workers. With geopolitical risks unresolved, investors pulled money from volatile assets including Bitcoin.

The BLS said on March 6, 2026, that US nonfarm payrolls unexpectedly fell by 92,000 in February, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. Bitcoin dropped 3.59% over 24 hours after the release, breaking below $70,000 and briefly approaching $68,000. The move showed that expectations of interest-rate cuts had yet to offset safe-haven selling pressure.