Bitcoin Barely Holds $26K as Interest Rate Surge Continues

The price of bitcoin (BTC) remained under pressure at $26,200 on Tuesday as the idea of higher rates for a longer period takes hold throughout financial markets. The broad CoinDesk Market Index (CMI) is down 0.6%, modestly underperforming the decline in bitcoin.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield moved up to 4.55%, matching its highest level in about 16 years. The yield on the 10-year note began September at just 4.18%.

The sharp move higher in rates is having major effect on equity markets, with the Nasdaq lower by 1.1% on Tuesday and now at its weakest read in nearly four months. The S&P 500 is down similarly and also matching levels not seen since early June.

"I am not sure if the world is prepared for 7%," said the JPMorgan CEO earlier Tuesday. Dimon noted that the rise in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s benchmark fed funds rate from 0%-2% was not a big deal and that the rise from 2% to the current 5.25%-5.50% caught a few off guard. A rise to 7%, though, he cautioned, is something very few market participants are expecting.

"There will be stress in the system," he said, possibly sending the U.S. economy into recession.