Bitcoin Slips Below $66,000 After Strong US Jobless Claims & Trade Deficit Surprise

Bitcoin fell below the $66,000 mark on Thursday, driven by mixed signals from recent US economic data that fueled risk-off sentiment. The Labor Department reported initial jobless claims at 206,000, lower than the expected 225,000, suggesting a resilient labor market, although continuing claims rose slightly. Simultaneously, the US trade deficit unexpectedly widened sharply to $70.3 billion in January, significantly exceeding the $55.5 billion forecast. This widening gap signals growing external imbalances. The combination of strong employment figures, a widening trade deficit, and persistent low inflation (below 1% since early February) created a complex macroeconomic backdrop, causing traders to digest the uncertainty and reduce exposure, leading to the sell-off in crypto markets.

(Source：BeInCrypto)