The crypto market turned sharply lower on Tuesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said another interest rate cut in December is “far from certain.” His comments dampened investor optimism that the Fed would continue easing monetary policy to support slowing growth.
Powell Ends Quantitative Tightening, Hints At No Rate Cut in December
Speaking after the October Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, Powell admitted that the U.S. labor market is weakening while inflation remains “somewhat elevated.” He added that recent data show the overall economic outlook has not changed significantly despite earlier signs of softening. Powell warned that higher tariffs are adding pressure on prices, creating a difficult balance for the central bank.
The comments come as the Fed reduced rate by 25 basis point, which was the same it did last month. It was done to boosting the slowdown in the growth of the economy and the continued rise in borrowing costs.
He also revealed that Fed officials hold “strongly different views” about whether another cut should come in December. “A further reduction in the policy rate at the December meeting is not a foregone conclusion. Far from it,” Powell said.
The Fed decided to end its balance-sheet runoff starting December 1, saying reserves have reached levels consistent with ample liquidity. Powell stated that this step had to be taken as repo rates and funding costs have been up lately. His statement suggests that the Fed has ended quantitative tightening, but it is likely not to make any further reductions in rates.
Bitcoin, Ethereum Slide as Powell’s Remarks Trigger Market Selloff
Markets reacted quickly to the mixed signals. BTC price fell 1.49% to $111,237, while Ethereum dropped 1.07% to $3,937, according to TradingView data. Both assets slid immediately after Powell’s remarks, erasing earlier gains.
As part of a recurring post-FOMC trend by Bitcoin, its price could still rise again. It may even reach a new all-time high before next month’s Fed meeting.
Traders understood Powell’s statement to be a caution that the rate cuts won’t happen again this year, making risk assets like cryptocurrencies less attractive. The drop mirrored declines across broader financial markets, as U.S. Treasury yields moved higher and the dollar strengthened.
