According to ChainCatcher, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde stated that most policymakers had previously prepared for an interest rate hike in April. This hawkish signal suggests that the eurozone tightening cycle may accelerate, potentially exerting short-term pressure on global risk assets including cryptocurrencies.
While Lagarde did not specify the exact magnitude or timing of the rate hike, the tone indicates that the ECB could act sooner than markets had anticipated. For the crypto market, faster tightening by major central banks typically weighs on risk assets as higher interest rates increase the cost of capital and dampen demand for speculative investments.
Investors should watch the forward guidance from the ECB's March meeting. If an April rate hike is confirmed, major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum may experience short-term volatility, and the liquidity of stablecoins pegged to EUR/USD could also be affected.