In the Bitcoin (BTC) and virtual currency markets, all eyes are on today's FED meeting and the Fed Chairman's remarks.
Therefore, the Fed is expected to announce its first interest rate decisions of 2026 tomorrow, followed by an oral statement from Chairman Jerome Powell.
The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold in January after cutting rates three times in a row since last September. Currently, the Fed is expected to maintain a stable policy rate range of 3.50% to 3.75%.
When will the Fed's January interest rate decision be announced?
The Federal Reserve is scheduled to announce its January interest rate decision on January 28, 2026 at 10pm Turkish time.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to issue an oral statement at 10:30 p.m. regarding the decision.
In which direction are your expectations focused?
In the United States, the inflation rate is hovering around 2.7%, and signs of a slowdown in the job market are interpreted as a sign that the Federal Reserve may take a cautious stance.
Despite President Donald Trump's calls for interest rate cuts and political pressure on Mr. Powell, the Fed is expected to continue making decisions consistent with its goals of stable prices and maximum employment.
But President Trump recently stressed the need to support economic growth, saying “meaningful interest rate cuts” are essential.
Tim Dewey, chief economist at SGH Macro Advisors, said Fed officials could take an approach that would “pause rate cuts and reassess as the data changes,” while Karim Basta, chief economist at III Capital Management, said Powell could signal that interest rates are “at a good level right now.”
Bloomberg economists Anna Wong and Chris Collins said a pause in rate cuts could trigger a new White House response.
Olu Sonora, head of U.S. economic research at international credit rating agency Fitch Ratings, said the Fed will likely keep policy on hold today due to current inflation and employment trends.
Chairman Powell's statement becomes even more important!
As expected, the Fed is expected to keep interest rates on hold, but signals from policy statements and Chairman Powell's remarks are expected to influence the direction of the market.
The meeting is significant because it will be the first meeting between the Fed and Chairman Powell following previous subpoenas regarding building renovations.
Investors will be watching the press conference after the Fed's decision to see if Powell leaves room for rate cuts beyond March.
Mr. Powell is also expected to comment on Mr. Trump's political pressure on the independence of the Federal Reserve and central banks and the steps he will take after his term ends in May.
For now, Powell's stance on inflation, growth, political pressure, and interest rate cuts will guide the Bitcoin and crypto markets.
*This is not investment advice.
