Bitcoin Stalls Amid Fed Rate Hike Expectations and Soaring Energy Costs
Bitcoin traded at $77,462 on September 14, 2026, as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's policy meeting scheduled for September 15 and 16. The cryptocurrency is navigating a challenging macro environment with US inflation steady at 3.4 percent in August and Brent crude prices above $106 per barrel.
The persistent high energy costs are creating pressure on the Fed to keep interest rates higher, potentially forcing them to raise yields on safe assets like US Treasury bonds. The 10-year US Treasury yield has recently climbed toward 4.97 percent, making non-yielding assets such as Bitcoin less attractive to institutional investors.
Recent data shows net outflows of approximately $462.7 million from US spot Bitcoin ETFs between September 8 and September 11, indicating a shift in sentiment among large institutions. The market is pricing in an 86 to 90 percent probability that the Fed will implement a 25-basis-point rate hike at its upcoming meeting.
The official statement from the Federal Reserve on September 16 will be crucial for investors, as they watch for signals on whether the central bank intends to continue raising rates or pause to assess the impact on the economy. Any unexpected news could lead to further price swings in the crypto market.