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Fed Rate Key Decision Today that will impact the cryptoMarket

While not always direct, historical trends underscore the impact of interest rates on Bitcoin’s price dynamics, cascading across the broader cryptocurrency, NFT and DeFi markets.

Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has had a complex relationship with the Fed’s interest rate decisions. While the correlation isn’t always perfect, historical trends paint a clear picture. The effect of the interest rates on Bitcoin prices has had a cascading impact across the crypto, NFTs and DeFi markets.

Rewinding to 2018

Under then-Chair Janet Yellen, the Fed embarked on a series of interest rate hikes aimed at taming inflation concerns. This period coincided with a dramatic decline in Bitcoin’s price. From a peak of nearly $20,000 in December 2017, Bitcoin plummeted to around $3,200 by December 2018, a staggering loss of over 80%. 

As Bitcoin’s price declined, so did the entire cryptocurrency asset class. While other factors like exchange hacks and regulatory uncertainty played a role, the rising interest rate environment was undoubtedly a major contributor to this crypto winter.

Fast forward to 2021

Buoyed by the Fed’s ultra-low interest rates implemented during the pandemic, Bitcoin soared to a record high of over $68,000 in November 2021. Several pundits called for a $100,000 Bitcoin price, and euphoria was at its peak. 

However, a shift in the Fed’s stance around interest rates and broader monetary policy began in late 2021. With inflation concerns resurfacing, the Fed signaled its intention to raise interest rates and reduce the liquidity within the economy. This hawkish turn triggered a significant correction in the crypto market in the following months. By June 2022, Bitcoin had shed over 70% of its value, dipping below $20,000 once again.