Crypto Market Sees Selective Strength Amid Cautious Positioning Ahead of FOMC Decision
The cryptocurrency market entered its final full week of July 2026 on a measured note, with major assets posting gains despite traders' cautious positioning ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) policy decision.
As of latest CoinMarketCap data, crypto's total market capitalization hovered near $2.4 trillion, reflecting a fragile recovery after a turbulent second quarter that saw valuations retreat sharply from late-2025 peaks.
BTC and ETH both advanced over the past 24 hours, with BTC trading near $65,300 and ETH climbing approximately 4% to trade near $1,955, $1,959. The FOMC's decision on the federal funds rate is expected on July 29, with economists predicting no change in the current 3.50-3.75% range.
However, residual hike odds have kept risk assets in check, and any signal that further tightening remains on the table risks pushing prices lower. For now, both assets are consolidating rather than trending, waiting for a macro catalyst to resolve their ranges.