Bitcoin volatility stabilizes as the pound’s soars higher Bitcoin volatility stabilizes as the pound’s soars higher
Recent market movements mean the pound is now almost as volatile as Bitcoin.
2 min read
Updated: Oct. 20, 2022 at 6:20 pm UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
Twitter user @tier10k posted a Bloomberg chart showing the pound’s volatility nearing that of Bitcoin.
In recent weeks, the pound has seen an uptick in volatility against the dollar, primarily spurred by political instability due to weaknesses in the U.K. economy. Particularly the fallout from the disastrous “mini budget.”
Newly appointed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt reneged on the plans soon after taking office on October 14.
In contrast, Bitcoin volatility against the dollar has been falling to the point it is almost converging with the pound.
Bitcoin volatility down
Since mid-September, Bitcoin price action has been moving in a narrow band between $18,100 and $20,500.
While critics have taken this as evidence of low demand in economically uncertain times, an alternative view is that BTC volatility has decreased.
The latter view is all the more pertinent given that the Dow Jones has sunk 6.4% from 32,676, in mid-September, to 30,581 currently.
The dominant narrative when comparing digital assets to legacy assets is that the former is highly volatile. However, with the global economy in freefall, this is proving not to be the case.
As interest rates and inflation rise, it would be interesting to revisit such comparisons at a future date.
Prime Minister Truss resigns amid mounting pressure
Following her appointment on September 6, former U.K. Prime Minster Liz Truss resigned from her position after just 45 days in office. Truss has the unenviable title of shortest-serving Prime Minister.
The announcement was made outside Downing Street following a disastrous spell that saw her political authority vanish as her own party members turned on her.
Truss had her work cut out, having inherited a multitude of problems, including spiraling energy costs, rising inflation, and looming recession. Nonetheless, critics blasted her political naivety, especially in her handling of the “mini budget.”
The “mini budget” set out tax cuts and further borrowing, which saw markets rebel, leading to weakness in the pound and a bond market on the brink of collapse.
Undoubtedly, despite her nerve following the “mini budget” fallout, that was the point of no return for her.
The pound rose to 1.132 against the dollar on news of Truss’s resignation.
Author 
Samuel Wan
Samuel Wan, a finance professional turned full-time crypto content creator, values individual autonomy and personal freedom in his pursuits.
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