TLDR
- The Fed kept interest rates unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% after the divided policy meeting.
- Bitcoin settled near $75,000 following the Fed’s decision, while traders eyed the $80,000 resistance level.
- The CPI for March reached 3.3% year over year, keeping inflation above the Fed’s 2% target.
- Oil prices above $100 have increased inflationary pressures with continued tensions with Iran and the risks of Hormuz.
- A confirmed Bitcoin break above $80,000 could shift attention towards $85,000-$88,000.
Bitcoin settled near $75,000 after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, as traders weighed persistent inflation, rising oil prices and uncertainty about the next phase of US monetary policy.
According to reports, the Federal Open Market Committee kept the federal funds rate in a range of 3.50% to 3.75%. The decision was widely expected, but the meeting drew attention because it may be Jerome Powell’s last policy briefing as Fed chairman before his term ends on May 15.
Bitcoin initially struggled following the announcement, falling below $76,000 before stabilizing around the $75,000 support area. The asset remains below the $80,000 resistance level, which traders continue to view as the main catalyst for stronger upward momentum.
Fed contract keeps Bitcoin in a tight range
the Fed decision This did not result in a strong rise in risk assets because the markets had already priced in no change in interest rates. The greatest focus was on the formulation of the central bank and the level of disagreement among policymakers.
The vote showed an unusual split, with four officials opposed. One official supported cutting interest rates, while three others objected to language suggesting future easing may still be possible.
Fed Decision Summary (04/29/2026):
1. The Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged for the third meeting in a row
2. 4 Fed members objected to the Fed pausing interest rates for the first time since 1992
3. 3 Fed members did not support the inclusion of “easing bias” in the statement
4. Federal Reserve Bank…
– Al Qubaisi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) April 29, 2026
The Fed said inflation remains high, partly due to rising global energy prices. Inflation data for March showed consumer prices at 3.3% year over year, still above the Fed’s 2% target.
Long-term expectations of higher interest rates could impact Bitcoin as tighter monetary conditions reduce demand for speculative assets. Bitcoin has often performed better when markets expect liquidity to expand.
Oil prices and tensions with Iran are adding to the pressure
Energy prices remain a major source of uncertainty. Oil rose above $100 a barrel, with Brent crude trading around $115 as tensions over Iran and the Strait of Hormuz continue to weigh on global supply expectations.
President Donald Trump’s plan to expand pressure on Iran through a blockade has raised concerns that energy costs may remain high. High oil prices can lead to inflation and reduce the Fed’s ability to lower interest rates.
Outgoing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said policymakers typically look at temporary energy shocks, but he also noted that inflation has remained above target for several years. This means that the Fed is likely to be cautious before assuming that oil-driven price increases will fade quickly.
For Bitcoin, this creates a hybrid setup. Geopolitical pressures can increase interest in alternative assets, but inflation pressure and lower expectations of interest rate cuts can limit risk appetite.
Bitcoin price levels to watch
Bitcoin in the near term The technical structure remains centered around the $75,000 support area and $80,000 resistance level. A break below $75,000 could expose the demand zone between $71,400 and $74,000.
On the upside, a confirmed move above $80,000 could shift attention towards $82,000 first, followed by the $85,000 to $88,000 range. Some analysts see this area as a potential target for May if momentum improves.
Market demand remains weak, with spot volumes low and liquidity thin on major exchanges. In low volume conditions, Bitcoin can react sharply to large orders, exchange flows, or headlines.
Arthur Hayes maintained a long-term bullish view, predicting that Bitcoin could reach $125,000 by the end of the year if global liquidity expands. His view is based on expectations of increased government spending, more flexible fiscal conditions, and future policy shifts.
Live broadcast of my next speech “in twenty-one weeks”https://t.co/hU2XZdB1S1
– Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) April 27, 2026
Right now, Bitcoin is still in a holding pattern. The next step depends on whether buyers will defend $75,000 and whether the market is able to reclaim $80,000 in greater volume.
