Bitcoin Could Surge To Record High Amid Fed Independence Concerns: Standard Chartered

Bitcoin (BTC) may be poised to surge to new all-time highs (ATH) as concerns grow over the independence of the US Federal Reserve. Notably, US President Donald Trump and his team are reportedly exploring whether they can legally remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell before his term expires in May 2026.

Is Bitcoin Heading To New Record Highs?

BTC crossed the $90,000 mark for the first time since March, driven by mounting macroeconomic uncertainty and fresh tariff-related concerns. Heightening the tension is Trump’s pressure campaign against Powell, warning that the US economy could slow down unless interest rates are cut.

Meanwhile, Powell remains committed to a data-driven approach in line with the Fed’s dual mandate – to control inflation and ensure maximum employment – showing no urgency to slash rates.

Inflation fears have resurfaced following Trump’s announcement of potential reciprocal tariffs on countries worldwide. Such tariffs could reignite inflation, pushing up the prices of goods and services in the short to medium term.

Although Trump recently claimed that there is “virtually no inflation” in the US, he also warned of a potential economic downturn if interest rates are not cut. Interestingly, Trump had appointed Powell as Fed Chair during his first presidential term in 2016.

In a note shared today, Standard Chartered’s Head of Digital Assets, Geoff Kendrick, warned that Trump’s rhetoric could undermine the Fed’s independence – an outcome that may benefit Bitcoin.

The Standard Chartered executive added that BTC “is a hedge against risks to the existing financial system due to its decentralized ledger.” Kendrick added:

The yield premium investors are demanding to buy long-dated Treasuries versus short-dated ones has risen sharply and this is benefiting bitcoin.

Recent data shows the 10-year Treasury yield rising two basis points to 4.425%. A sudden spike in long-term Treasury yields is considered bearish as it reflects rising borrowing costs and tighter financial conditions – factors that can weigh on economic growth and dampen risk appetite.

It is worth noting that earlier this year, Standard Chartered had predicted that BTC may reach as high as $200,000 by the end of 2025. BTC’s current ATH sits at $108,786 recorded earlier this year on January 20.

Technicals Point Toward Bitcoin Rally

While Bitcoin may benefit from uncertainty around the US Fed’s autonomy, technical indicators also point toward a potential rally for the flagship cryptocurrency. For instance, the TD Sequential recently flashed a buy signal on the BTC weekly chart.

Meanwhile, large-scale investors – commonly known as Bitcoin whales – don’t appear concerned by tariff-related panic. On-chain data shows continued BTC accumulation by these sophisticated players.

At the same time, Bitcoin’s network fundamentals are growing stronger. Its hashrate recently reached a new all-time high, underscoring the network’s resilience and security.

Adding to the optimism, crypto analyst Master of Crypto recently suggested that BTC may be mirroring gold’s historical “power curve” – with potential to reach as high as $450,000 by the end of 2025. At press time, BTC trades at $90,957, up 3.3% in the last 24 hours.