Bitcoin BTC/USD and Ethereum ETH/USD were trading over 4% and 5% lower, respectively, on Monday. The move lower is the continuation of a downtrend, which escalated on May 5.

Since that date, Bitcoin has plunged over 18% and Ethereum has plummeted about 19%, as fear of a recession has gripped traders and investors, causing an accelerated move to the downside.

A recession takes place when economic activity begins to decline due to people deciding to spend less money and save more. Rising inflation and the Federal Reserves decision to continue hiking interest rates contributes to the cycle because purchasing everyday items becomes too expensive and investing cash becomes more lucrative.

The cryptocurrency sector is highly susceptible to a possible recession because its utility is entirely dependent on traders and investors using coins and tokens to pay for items.

No stock or crypto ever goes straight down, or up, and although Bitcoin and Ethereum could see more downside in the immediate future, at least a bounce is likely to eventually come.

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The Bitcoin Chart: On May 5, Bitcoin broke down bearishly from a falling channel pattern on higher-than-average volume, which caused extreme fear amongst traders and investors. The crypto has since fallen off a cliff, continuing to slide without bouncing up on the daily chart to form a higher low.

The Ethereum Chart: Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum hasnt yet broken bearishly from its own falling channel, which the crypto has been trading in since April 5. On Monday, Ethereum was testing the bottom descending trendline of the pattern and holding above the level, which is a positive sign for bullish traders.

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Here's Why Bitcoin, Ethereum Look Ready To Bounce - Benzinga - Benzinga