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BTC $96,420 +2.34% ETH $3,280 +1.82% SOL $185.40 -0.92% BNB $642.50 +0.45% XRP $2.18 +3.12% DOGE $0.082 -1.50% ADA $1.05 +0.80% AVAX $42.10 +1.15%
BTC $96,420 +2.34% ETH $3,280 +1.82% SOL $185.40 -0.92% BNB $642.50 +0.45% XRP $2.18 +3.12% DOGE $0.082 -1.50% ADA $1.05 +0.80% AVAX $42.10 +1.15%
06/18/2026

Fed Holds Rates as BTC Trades Below $65K; Warsh’s First FOMC Surprises Markets

What happened: Bitcoin traded below $65,000 ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s first FOMC meeting, with the Fed holding rates at 3.

Fed Holds Rates as BTC Trades Below $65K; Warsh’s First FOMC Surprises Markets

What happened: Bitcoin traded below $65,000 ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s first FOMC meeting, with the Fed holding rates at 3.50–3.75%. Inflation remains at a three-year high, and the updated dot plot now signals a potential rate hike in 2026, reversing previous expectations of a cut. Warsh announced the end of forward guidance and will not submit personal dot-plot projections, shifting the Fed’s communication strategy. Following the announcement, BTC briefly spiked to $66,400 before retreating by over $1,000, while CME FedWatch odds now favor an October hike.

Why it matters: Warsh’s unexpectedly hawkish stance and communication overhaul have introduced new volatility into both crypto and traditional markets. The shift away from dovish expectations could pressure risk assets further, especially as leveraged players like Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) face renewed scrutiny. The Fed’s evolving posture may drive further decoupling between crypto and macro narratives.

Source: The Block