Bitcoin Surpasses $90,000… Demand for Safe Assets Surges as IMF Revises Inflation and Growth Forecasts

As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its inflation forecast for the United States and lowered the global economic growth projection, Bitcoin broke through $90,000, once again highlighting its role as 'digital gold'. Experts analyzed that Bitcoin's 'decoupling' from traditional financial markets is becoming visible. According to TheBlock on the 22nd (local time), Bitcoin surpassed $90,000, recording its highest price in seven weeks immediately after the IMF's April World Economic Outlook report. The report lowered the US economic growth forecast for 2025 from 2.7% to 1.8% and raised the inflation outlook from 1.9% to 3%. Simultaneously, it predicted a slowdown in global economic growth. Following the report's release, Bitcoin rose above $90,000, and the total cryptocurrency market capitalization exceeded $290 billion. Major altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) also showed concurrent strength, rising around 5%. Some experts interpret this Bitcoin surge as a 'decoupling' phenomenon from traditional financial markets. Gemini's Institutional Business Director Patrick Liou stated, "Amid Trump's criticism of the Federal Reserve and trade negotiation uncertainties, we are observing capital moving away from the US market and into Bitcoin." On the same day, while the US stock market declined, Bitcoin and gold continued their upward trend. Bitcoin spot ETF saw $381.4 million in inflows, the highest since January, and the Dollar Index (DXY) fell to its lowest level in three years. QCP Capital noted, "Gold and Bitcoin are the most notable asset classes when demand for safe-haven assets increases," adding, "The current market is in the process of reallocating capital to risk-averse assets." Bernstein also highlighted that "the 25% annual rise in gold is directly reflected in Bitcoin." However, some warned that decoupling discussions might be premature. Wintermute's OTC trader Jake O. assessed, "This rise is largely due to dollar weakness, and if the DXY rebounds, the decoupling between Bitcoin and stocks could disappear." After the IMF's revised forecast, the market is focusing on key variables such as interest rate policies, US-China trade negotiations, and dollar value trends, which are expected to further strengthen Bitcoin's position as an independent store of value.