Bitcoin (BTC) starts a key week with a familiar cocktail of price spikes mixed with fear that the bear market will return.

After sealing its highest weekly close in almost six months, BTC/USD remains over 40% up year-to-date, with the monthly close just 48 hours away — can the gains hold?

Against all odds, Bitcoin has rallied beyond expectations this month, making January 2023 its best in a decade.

Throughout, concerns have called for an imminent comedown and even new macro BTC price lows as disbelief swept the market.

That grim turnaround has yet to come to fruition and the coming days could yet turn out to be a crucial period for Bitcoin’s long-term trend.

The catalysts are hardly in short supply. The United States Federal Reserve will decide on its next rate hike this week, with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell giving much-anticipated commentary on the economy and policy.

The European Central Bank (ECB) will make the same decision a day later.

Add to that the psychological pressure of the monthly close, and it is easy to see how the coming week could be more volatile in Bitcoin’s recent history.

Buckle up as Cointelegraph takes a look at five key issues to consider when it comes to BTC price action.

Bitcoin price eyes $24K with FOMC volatility predicted

Bitcoin continues to defy naysayers and shorters alike by spiking ever higher on lower timeframes.

The weekend proved no different to others in January, with BTC/USD hitting $23,950 overnight into Jan. 30 — a new…