Fed holds at 3.5%–3.75%. Bitcoin slips to ~$76,000 as FOMC splits 8–4.

The Fed paused on Wednesday. BTC hovered near $76,000 by late New York.

The vote was 8–4 to hold. Most divided since October 1992. Source: WOLF Financial.

Bitcoin traded down from $77,000 earlier. Roughly 40% below its October 2025 ATH near $126,000. Source: TradingView.

Chart: TradingView

The article outlines the transmission. A rate hold with sticky inflation sustains real opportunity cost. Liquidity for high‑beta risk compresses.

It recalls 2022. BTC fell ~65% alongside the sharp tightening cycle.

This pause is not easing. The committee cited “developments in the Middle East.”

Brent stayed above $110 in April. Hormuz disruptions continued. US gas hit $4.22 per gallon, up 6.2% in a month.

Jerry Tempelman warned of “prolonged pricing stress.” He sees a 2026 cut as unlikely without a severe energy or labor shock.

CME FedWatch shows traders pricing rates on hold through December.

Dissents cut both ways. Governor Stephen Miran wanted a 25 bp cut. Three dissented against easing language. The signal is genuine disagreement, not a clear path. Vote details.

The core question shifts. Do the three tailwinds — monetary easing, crypto regulation clarity, AI momentum — remain stalled long enough to invalidate the $250,000 BTC call this cycle?

Source: Coinspeaker.