Fed Meeting and Big Tech Earnings Set to Spark Market Volatility

The last week of July is packed with market-moving events that could send shockwaves through traditional finance and digital assets. The Federal Reserve will convene on July 28-29, and investors are pricing in a mere 3% probability of a rate cut. While this may seem insignificant, the tone of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks after the meeting can have far-reaching consequences for risk assets, including crypto.

The FOMC's decision will set the stage for Big Tech earnings reports from Microsoft and Meta Platforms around July 29-30, with Apple and Amazon following shortly after. These companies represent a significant chunk of S&P 500 market capitalization, making their results a barometer for broader risk sentiment. As AI stocks and crypto tokens have traded with increasing correlation in recent quarters, the performance of these tech giants will likely influence digital asset markets as well.

Retail engagement is another crucial factor to watch, particularly with Robinhood Markets' Q2 2026 earnings set to be released after the bell on July 29. While revenue from crypto trading may have declined by 47% year-over-year to $134 million in Q1, the company's focus on building its own Ethereum Layer 2 network, Robinhood Chain, suggests a longer-term bet on bringing traditional financial assets on-chain.