Tag: Fed Rate Hike

  • Bitcoin Clings to $75K Support After Fed’s Quarter-Point Hike and Senate Setback for CLARITY Act

    Bitcoin Clings to $75K Support After Fed’s Quarter-Point Hike and Senate Setback for CLARITY Act

    Bitcoin Holds Ground After Fed Decision

    Bitcoin traded near $76,000 on September 17 after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points and the US Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act. The cryptocurrency avoided another sharp decline after falling earlier in the week as traders responded to tighter monetary policy and uncertainty around US crypto rules.

    Bitcoin closed September 16 near $76,147, according to CoinGecko data. It had traded around $75,590 a day earlier after the Senate vote. The price action kept BTC close to the $75,000 support area, while traders watched the $77,000 to $78,000 range.

    Fed Raises Rates for First Time Since 2023

    The Federal Open Market Committee voted 12-0 on September 16 to raise the federal funds target range to 3.75% to 4%. The Fed said inflation remains elevated and said the increase would support a faster return toward its 2% goal. The move marked the central bank’s first rate increase since 2023.

    Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said the US economy appears to be strengthening and said he would be hard-pressed to describe broad financial conditions as restrictive. Updated Fed projections showed 16 of 18 policymakers expect at least one more rate increase in 2026. The median projection placed the federal funds rate at 4.1% at year-end.

    Bitcoin showed a limited immediate reaction to the decision. Markets had largely expected the quarter-point increase. However, higher short-term rates can raise returns on cash and fixed-income assets, giving traders another factor to consider when allocating money to non-yielding assets such as Bitcoin.

    Bitcoin ETF Outflows Extend After Fed Rate Decision

    US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded $450.33 million in net outflows on September 15, according to SoSoValue data. The funds then recorded another $295.98 million in net redemptions around the September 16 session, bringing the two-session total to about $746 million.

    The outflows followed Bitcoin’s decline after the Senate vote and came as investors prepared for the Fed decision. Bitcoin had traded above $80,000 earlier in September. CoinGecko data show BTC closed at $81,265 on September 3 and at $76,147 on September 16.

    Traders continue to watch short-term price levels. Bitcoin has held around $75,000, while resistance sits near $77,000 to $78,000. A break below $75,000 would put lower support zones back in focus, while a move through resistance would bring the $81,600 area into view.

    CLARITY Act Stalls as Other Crypto Bills Move Forward

    The Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act on September 15. Reuters reported a 50-49 vote, below the 60 votes needed to clear the procedural step. Four Republican senators joined Democrats in opposing advancement. The bill seeks to create a federal market structure for digital assets and define regulatory roles for the SEC and CFTC.

    The failed vote did not end congressional work on other crypto measures. On September 16, the House Financial Services Committee voted 28-21 to advance the American Reserve Modernization Act. The proposal would establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve at the Treasury and require the government to hold qualifying Bitcoin for at least 20 years.

    The House Ways and Means Committee also voted 38-5 to advance the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act. The proposal addresses federal tax treatment for digital assets, including certain transaction fees, mining and staking income. Both measures still require further action in Congress before they can become law.

    Bitcoin entered September 17 near $76,000, with monetary policy, ETF flows and crypto legislation shaping trading conditions. Traders are watching whether the $75,000 area holds as markets adjust to the Fed’s new rate path.

  • Ethereum ETFs See $224M Outflows After Fed Rate Hike, ETH Price Still Up 1.54%

    Ethereum ETFs See $224M Outflows After Fed Rate Hike, ETH Price Still Up 1.54%

    US spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $224 million in net outflows on September 16, following the Federal Reserve’s first interest rate increase in three years. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) led the redemptions with $110.03 million withdrawn. Despite the outflow pressure, Ethereum’s spot price rose 1.54% during the same trading session.

    Fidelity’s FETH followed with $55.58 million in outflows, while BlackRock’s staking-enabled ETHB lost another $19.76 million. Combined, these withdrawals pushed the total Ethereum ETF net outflows to $224 million. Meanwhile, 21Shares’ TETH recorded minor inflows. Bitcoin ETFs also saw nearly $296 million in outflows, with BlackRock’s IBIT accounting for $144.1 million of those redemptions.

    The ETF withdrawals came one day after the Senate failed to advance the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act by a narrow margin. The September 15 vote left regulatory ambiguities unresolved for Ethereum and the broader cryptocurrency sector. This uncertainty continues to affect institutional engagement and short-term ETH trading activity as investors assess changing regulatory conditions.

    On the technical side, the ETH/USD four-hour chart shows the pair trading below the MA-20 and MA-50, though it remains above the long-term MA-200. The Ichimoku Kijun at $2,486 acts as immediate resistance. MACD signals a Sell, while ADX indicates indecisive trend strength. RSI and CCI are in Sell territory, and Stoch RSI remains Neutral. Near-term projections place ETH/USD between $2,299 and $2,626, with a 47% probability of a move higher. A breakout above $2,486 would support stronger upside, while a move below $2,299 could expose ETH to further losses.

  • Bitcoin Hovers Near $77,081 as CPI Report and Middle East Tensions Test Key Support Levels

    Bitcoin Hovers Near $77,081 as CPI Report and Middle East Tensions Test Key Support Levels

    Market Overview

    Bitcoin steadied near USD 77,081 on Friday, September 11, recovering part of this week’s losses after hotter producer price data and rising Middle East oil tensions fueled caution across risk assets. Today’s US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, due at 8:30 am Eastern Time, is the market’s key catalyst.

    Ethereum, Solana, and XRP posted modest gains alongside Bitcoin. Zcash surged again, outpacing the broader market by a wide margin on shielded pool demand. Total crypto market capitalization remained near USD 2.61 trillion.

    Bitcoin Price Today

    Bitcoin traded at USD 77,081.66, up 1.5% over the past 24 hours (CoinGecko). Its market cap stood at USD 1.55 trillion. Trading volume reached USD 29.97 billion. Bitcoin gained 4.6% over the past seven days.

    Analyst Commentary

    • CoinSwitch: BTC slipped below USD 77,000 after US producer prices rose 5.4% year on year. A 74% chance of a Fed rate hike this month is priced in. Must reclaim USD 78,000–79,000.
    • Mudrex: Bitcoin extended declines across four sessions, testing USD 76,000–77,000. Nearly USD 190 million in liquidations hit. Support at USD 76,000 must hold.
    • Delta Exchange: Key support USD 75,600–76,200, resistance USD 77,600–78,000. Implied volatility near 40 signals sharp move expected around CPI.
    • WazirX: Broad profit-taking noted. Support USD 76,000, resistance USD 78,000.

    Biggest Gainers and Losers Today

    Zcash led with a 12.4% daily gain, extending its weekly advance past 15%. Hyperliquid rose 5.6%, XRP added 3.1%. No top coin posted a 24-hour decline.

    Crypto News Impacting Prices

    US Producer Prices Fuel Inflation Concerns

    August producer prices rose 5.4% year on year, slightly above forecasts. Fed rate hike odds for this month climbed toward 74%. Bitcoin briefly slipped below USD 77,500.

    Iran-Linked Oil Tensions Keep Crude Elevated

    Crude trading near USD 100/barrel added to inflation worries. Bitcoin remained resilient thanks to steady spot demand.

    CLARITY Act Faces Senate Vote

    The Senate will hold a cloture vote on the CLARITY Act on September 15. A 60-vote threshold is needed. Ethics provisions and stablecoin rewards remain divisive.

    Zcash Rally Continues

    Zcash jumped 12.4% in 24 hours, gaining over 15% weekly. Rising shielded pool adoption and heavy mining demand supported the move.

    Bitcoin Liquidations Near USD 190M

    Bitcoin’s slide toward USD 76,000 triggered close to USD 190 million in liquidations within an hour. Long-term holders’ share of realized profits fell sharply.

    Investor Outlook

    Today’s CPI report is critical. A soft print could ease yields and support a push toward USD 80,000. A hot reading could reinforce hawkish bets and pressure Bitcoin toward USD 75,000. The CLARITY Act vote on September 15 adds a second layer of uncertainty. Desks recommend disciplined position sizing.

    FAQs

    1. What is the Bitcoin price today?

    Bitcoin trades near USD 77,081.66, up 1.5% in 24 hours. Support near USD 76,000, resistance near USD 78,000.

    2. Why is today’s CPI report important?

    The CPI print shapes Fed rate expectations. Cooler reading could support Bitcoin; hotter reading risks hawkish bets.

    3. What is the biggest crypto news today?

    Zcash’s rally past USD 1,000, hotter PPI data, and the CLARITY Act Senate vote.

    4. Which coins are performing best?

    Zcash (+12.4%), Hyperliquid (+5.6%), XRP (+3.1%). No top coin declined.

    5. What should investors watch this week?

    CPI report, CLARITY Act vote, and any escalation in Iran-linked oil tensions.

  • Fed Rate Hike Fears Trigger Sell-Off in Indian IT Stocks: TCS, Infosys, HCLTech Under Pressure

    Fed Rate Hike Fears Trigger Sell-Off in Indian IT Stocks: TCS, Infosys, HCLTech Under Pressure

    Indian IT stocks experienced a sharp decline on September 7 as stronger-than-expected US jobs data reignited concerns about further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. The Nifty IT index dropped 2.28% to close at 29,995.20, falling 699.90 points from its previous close of 30,695.10. The index hit a high of 30,377.10 and a low of 29,847.25 during the session, now sitting about 25.6% below its 52-week high of 40,301.40.

    Top IT Stocks Take a Hit

    Among the major players, Infosys suffered the steepest decline, losing 3.76% to close at Rs. 1,087.50. TCS fell 1.48% to Rs. 2,270, while HCLTech slipped 0.82% to Rs. 1,282.80. The broader IT sector also faced pressure, with Tech Mahindra, Wipro, LTIMindtree, Mphasis, and other key names declining.

    Strong US Jobs Data Revives Rate-Hike Fears

    The trigger was the US jobs report for August, which showed the economy added 162,000 jobs—far exceeding the market expectation of around 56,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. The robust data bolstered the view that the US economy remains strong enough for the Federal Reserve to maintain higher rates or even raise them again.

    Markets now price a 58% chance of a rate hike at the September 16 Fed meeting, with the probability for an October move reaching about 70%, according to data from Reuters and Moneycontrol. The next major test will be the US August inflation report, due on Friday.

    How Higher US Rates Impact Indian IT Firms

    The US is the largest market for Indian IT companies. Higher interest rates increase borrowing costs for American corporations, making them more cautious with technology budgets. This can lead to delays or cancellations of large-scale projects, especially discretionary ones that don’t require immediate action.

    Two Pressure Points

    • Demand pressure: Higher borrowing costs may prompt US clients to postpone software upgrades, digital initiatives, and consulting engagements.
    • Valuation pressure: Rising US bond yields reduce the present value of future earnings, putting additional strain on technology stocks.

    This sell-off reflects more than a knee-jerk reaction to a single jobs report. Investors are now confronting a tougher policy backdrop while Indian IT companies already face headwinds from weak demand, artificial intelligence disruption, and slower growth.

    Infosys Leads the Decline

    Infosys was the hardest hit among the three largest IT firms, closing 3.76% lower at Rs. 1,087.50. The stock is now roughly 37% below its 52-week high of Rs. 1,727.85. TCS showed relative resilience with a 1.48% drop, and HCLTech fared best with a 0.82% decline. However, HCLTech also remains well below its 52-week peak of Rs. 1,780.10.

    These moves indicate that while the sector-wide pressure is visible, individual stocks have reacted differently. The overarching concern remains US demand, interest rate trajectory, and the future of technology spending.

    AI Adds Another Layer of Uncertainty

    Beyond central bank policy, artificial intelligence continues to weigh on the sector. Investors are debating whether AI will drive additional technology demand or reduce the need for traditional IT services. AI can cut the time and cost for coding, testing, support, and other software tasks. At the same time, companies require external partners for AI deployment, system integration, governance, and modernization.

    This creates both a risk and an opportunity for firms like TCS, Infosys, and HCLTech. The market now seeks evidence that AI-led demand can offset pressures on legacy service models. Deal wins, client budgets, margins, and management guidance will be critical for the next phase of the IT sector.

    September Fed Meeting in Focus

    The upcoming Federal Reserve meeting is the most significant near-term event for Indian IT stocks. UBS has revised its forecast and now expects two 25-basis-point rate hikes in 2026—one in September and another in December—reversing its earlier view of no change this year.

    A softer US inflation report could ease rate-hike fears and trigger a relief rally. Conversely, a hot inflation reading could push bond yields higher and intensify selling pressure.

    The sharp decline on September 7 marks a critical test for TCS, Infosys, and HCLTech. The next move will likely depend more on US inflation data and the Fed’s decision than on the single-day sell-off.

    FAQs

    1. Why did Indian IT stocks fall on September 7?

    Indian IT stocks declined after strong US jobs data revived fears of additional Federal Reserve rate hikes.

    2. Which major IT stock fell the most?

    Infosys recorded the sharpest drop among TCS, Infosys, and HCLTech, falling 3.76% to Rs. 1,087.50.

    3. How do higher US interest rates affect Indian IT companies?

    Higher rates can encourage US companies to tighten spending and delay discretionary technology projects, potentially reducing demand for IT services.

    4. What additional risk is affecting Indian IT stocks?

    Artificial intelligence is creating uncertainty over traditional IT services while also opening opportunities in AI implementation, integration, and modernization.

    5. What should investors watch next?

    The US inflation report and the Federal Reserve’s September policy decision are key near-term triggers for IT stocks.