Bitcoin Slips Below $75,000 After Fed Keeps Rates Steady in Split Decision

Bitcoin fell briefly below $75,000 on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, a move that nonetheless triggered sharp swings across crypto markets. The Federal Open Market Committee held the policy rate in a 3.5% to 3.75% range. While the outcome was widely anticipated, the market reacted quickly: Bitcoin dropped from about $76,200 to below $75,000 within minutes of the statement. The decision was not unanimous. Eight officials supported keeping rates steady, while four dissented, reflecting the most divided vote at the Fed in roughly three decades. The central bank cited elevated uncertainty around the outlook as inflation risks persist and Middle East tensions continue to weigh on projections. Investors had been looking for hints of a near-term shift toward easier policy, a narrative tied in part to speculation around Kevin Warsh, but the dissenting views dampened expectations for an imminent rate cut. Major altcoins moved lower alongside Bitcoin. Ethereum, Solana and XRP extended recent declines, touching levels not seen in at least two weeks. Some analysts argue the next major upside catalyst for Bitcoin may come from Washington rather than monetary policy. They point to the Clarity Act, which would classify BTC as a digital commodity under the CFTC's jurisdiction. Supporters say the change could allow banks to custody digital assets without punitive capital treatment, though the bill still faces hurdles in Congress tied to stablecoin provisions and ethics rules. Traders are also watching earnings from the "Magnificent Seven" tech giants, with any disappointment in artificial intelligence growth seen as a potential accelerant for broader risk-asset selling.