Powell's Comments Take Center Stage as the Market Braces for the Fed's Decision

Unlike last year's crash, this time, with no rate change, the real impact will unfold after the meeting.

The Federal Reserve is set to announce its latest interest rate decision on January 31, and while no rate change is expected, Powell’s comments could have a significant impact on risk assets like Bitcoin. Here's a quick look at what to expect from the Fed and how it could affect crypto.

The Fed is likely to keep interest rates steady at their current range of 4.25% to 4.5%. This follows a 25 basis point cut in December, but policymakers have signaled that rate cuts will slow down in 2025. As a Result, this meeting is seen as a non-event for most markets, including cryptocurrencies, as the rate decision has already been communicated in advance. In the meanwhile, Trump has already shown his preference for lower rate cuts to support the crypto assets.

Even though the rate decision is predictable, there are three big issues Powell might be asked about, and his answers could shake up the markets.

One major topic is deportation, President Trump has started deporting illegal immigrants, and some estimates say millions could be removed. If that happens, the U.S. could lose a big chunk of its workforce, making it harder for businesses to find workers. That could push wages higher and drive inflation up. If Powell agrees that this is a risk, it could mean fewer rate cuts ahead, which would be bad news for Bitcoin and other risky investments.

Another issue that could come up is the U.S. debt ceiling. The U.S. has hit its $36 trillion debt limit, and the government is now using emergency measures to keep running. One of these measures involves spending money from a special account at the Fed, which could pump extra cash into the economy. This could help risk assets like Bitcoin in the short term. But Powell might downplay its impact, which could keep markets cautious.

Lastly, Powell might address the recent moderation in rent inflation, which has a significant effect on the consumer price index. If Powell acknowledges this disinflationary trend, it could boost the crypto market, potentially driving up risk assets like Bitcoin.

Following the Fed’s meeting, Bitcoin dropped 1.15% in the last 24 hours, trading at $102,134.33, but still holds a dominant 58.30% market share with a $2.08 trillion market cap. Despite the dip, BTC Spot ETF inflows of $18.44 million on January 28 suggest continued institutional interest, though overall trading volume of $42.81 billion reflects caution ahead of the FOMC decision.