According to TechFlow, on September 18, according to The Block, K33 analyst David Zimmerman said that Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Bitcoin futures traders increased their short positions before the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision. He explained: "CME active market participants have increased their exposure to 5,500 Bitcoins in the past two days, while the premium has reached a 9-month low, indicating that the market has turned to Bitcoin shorts." The CME Bitcoin futures market is showing concerns about possible high volatility, similar to what was observed after the recent release of the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Zimmerman also noted that perpetual futures funding rates rose while CME futures premiums fell, which he described as "generally a negative short-term signal and sets the stage for further market amplification of FOMC volatility." Nonetheless, he acknowledged that lower interest rates would have an easing effect and could improve liquidity in risky assets, but market participants remain concerned about a potential economic slowdown.