Fed Holds Rates Steady, Crypto Markets Fluctuate Amid Inflation Fight

The Federal Reserve maintained its key interest rate at current levels, indicating a prolonged focus on combating inflation. While the crypto market experienced a slight downturn, both Bitcoin and Ethereum have shown signs of recovery since the announcement. However, stubborn inflation and shifting rate expectations continue to influence market sentiment, with traders adjusting their forecasts and risk appetite.

Federal Reserve Maintains Steady Interest Rate Amid Persistent Inflation, Impacting Crypto Market

Washington, D.C. - The Federal Reserve (Fed) has maintained its key interest rate at a target range of 5.25% to 5.5%, in a widely anticipated decision that reflects its continued focus on combating stubbornly high inflation.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, in his remarks following the meeting, acknowledged the challenges in reducing inflation to the Fed's target of 2%, but expressed optimism that rate increases would ultimately achieve the desired effect. However, he declined to specify a timeline for future rate cuts.

"I'd say it's unlikely," Powell said when asked about the possibility of an imminent rate hike, but "it's likely to take longer for us to gain confidence that we are on a sustainable path to 2% inflation."

The Fed's decision has sent mixed signals to the crypto market, with Bitcoin and Ethereum experiencing both declines and minor gains in the hours following the announcement. Bitcoin dropped 4.6% over the past day, reaching $57,600, while Ethereum fell 1.3% to $2,945. However, both cryptocurrencies have shown signs of recovery in the past hour, with Bitcoin rising 1% and Ethereum increasing 2%.

The Fed's decision comes amidst concerns about the persistence of inflation, reaching multi-decade highs in 2022. Although inflation rates have declined slightly, they remain above the Fed's target. The lack of substantial change in inflation from the previous month's release in March caused significant volatility in crypto markets.

"The committee does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2%," Powell stated in a prepared statement.

James Butterfill, Head of Research at CoinShares, believes that shifting rate expectations are primarily driving recent price movements in Bitcoin, while Ethereum faces additional pressure due to an ongoing court battle over its regulatory status in the United States.

Higher interest rates, a tool employed to curb inflation by making borrowing more expensive, typically have a negative impact on risk assets such as stocks and cryptocurrencies. As cash reserves become more attractive, investors tend to shift away from riskier assets.

Although the Fed had initially projected three quarter-percentage point cuts for 2024, traders have grown less optimistic. According to the CME's FedWatch Tool, financial market participants anticipate at most one rate cut by the end of the year.

As rate cut expectations have been delayed, Bitcoin experienced its worst month since November 2022, with a 14% decline in April. Powell acknowledged that inflation has not receded as quickly as policymakers had hoped, suggesting that rate cuts may be further down the road.

Despite the challenges, Powell expressed confidence in the Fed's ability to manage the risks presented by inflation. "The recent data have clearly not given us greater confidence, and instead indicate that it's likely to take longer than expected to achieve that confidence," he said. "That said, we think policy is well positioned to handle the risks that we face."