Fed Holds Rates Steady as Bitcoin Fights to Hold $64,000

The Federal Reserve has left its benchmark rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% for the sixth consecutive meeting, citing ongoing inflation concerns and supply shocks.

The decision was not unanimous, with a 9-3 vote in favor of keeping rates steady. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari, and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan voted for a quarter-point rate increase, indicating growing pressure for tighter policy within the central bank.

The hold on interest rates has limited any immediate tightening shock for Bitcoin and the wider crypto market, but the dissenting votes keep near-term liquidity expectations cautious. With futures markets assigning over 60% probability to a hold before the announcement, much of the decision was already priced in.