Bitcoin (BTC) Reacts to Fed Rate Hike: Analysts Split on What Comes Next

Bitcoin and crypto markets turned volatile on Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points. The Fed lifted its target range to 3.75%-4%. The move was widely expected, but BTC still briefly dropped below $75,000 before recovering to around $76,400.

Analysts remain divided on what could come next.

BTC Recovers After Fed Shock

Doctor Profit dismissed the bearish reaction. According to the analyst, Bitcoin’s bottom was already in at $57,000. He also said he is holding the BTC he bought between $60,000 and $64,000 and has no plans to sell. Earlier, the market commentator had pointed to $71,000 as the market’s “max pain” level while maintaining a bullish outlook toward $88,000.

Meanwhile, Ali Martinez also said he is prepared for another sell-off. While identifying Bitcoin’s Short-Term Holder Realized Price near $71,200 as a major level to watch, the analyst explained that he would consider that area a potential accumulation zone if BTC falls further.

Santiment, on the other hand, flagged a sharp rise in social discussions around the FOMC, interest rates, and the 25-basis-point move as the meeting approached. Bitcoin was already facing several pressures before the rate decision.

The crypto asset’s price pulled back after the previous day’s CLARITY Act setback. ETF outflows, higher Treasury yields, and liquidations had also added to the pressure. The bigger issue now is whether this rate hike remains an isolated move or becomes the start of another tightening cycle. The Fed’s latest projections point to at least one more hike in 2026. That keeps future policy decisions in focus for crypto traders.

One More Hike Remains in Focus

Santiment noted that traders had recently considered much more aggressive rate-hike scenarios. The latest projections provide a less aggressive baseline, with another 25-basis-point move effectively at the center of the current outlook.

For Bitcoin, the next phase will therefore be about expectations around future Fed policy. Softer inflation, lower energy prices, or weaker economic data could change those expectations. However, persistent inflation could push them in the opposite direction.

“The bullish case is that traders had already priced a much uglier path, the first hike is now behind us, and one additional move may prove manageable if inflation finally begins cooling. For crypto, the direction of expectations from here could matter far more than the 25 basis points that just arrived.”

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