Crypto has often been seen as a world apart from traditional finance, moving on its own narratives of innovation, community, and speculation.
Yet the truth is central banks have always had a hand in shaping crypto prices. When liquidity tightens, digital assets tend to stall. When money flows freely, crypto surges.
That dynamic came into focus again this week. Fresh U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) data showed inflation cooling faster than expected, giving investors new reason to bet on a Federal Reserve rate cut.
Traders are now pricing in a near-certain cut at the Fed’s next meeting. If that bet proves correct, Bitcoin and Ethereum may be standing at the edge of another leg higher.
Why rates matter for crypto
Lower rates don’t just make borrowing cheaper, they change the flow of global capital. When interest rates fall, liquidity expands, and investors begin searching for higher-yielding opportunities.
In those conditions, risk assets thrive. From tech stocks to digital coins, the appetite for speculation grows.
The pattern isn’t new. After the Fed slashed rates to near zero in 2020, Bitcoin rose from under $6,000 to more than $60,000 within a year.
Ethereum multiplied even more sharply, riding a wave of liquidity into the DeFi boom. The latest PPI figures suggest that conditions may again be turning in favor of crypto bulls.
Risk assets roar
Markets wasted little time responding to the data. Bitcoin climbed above $114,000, Ethereum pushed toward $4,400, and major altcoins like Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin followed suit.
The rally wasn’t confined to coins. Crypto-linked equities, from mining firms to blockchain developers, also saw their share prices jump.
This synchronized move highlights just how much digital assets have matured. Crypto no longer exists in a vacuum. It reacts to the same monetary policy cues that move stocks, bonds, and gold.
The Fed’s next move
Speculation now centers on the size of the coming cut. A 25 basis point reduction is the consensus, though some traders are daring to position for 50. Either way, the path of policy has shifted from holding the line against inflation to cautiously reopening the taps.
The risk, of course, is that with core inflation still running hotter than the Fed’s target, policymakers will be forced to hold back. If the Fed signals restraint, crypto could face a sharp reversal, with Bitcoin potentially slipping back toward $110,000.
BTC upsides, with caveats
In the short term, momentum favors the bulls. A confirmed Fed cut could propel Bitcoin toward $115,000, while Ethereum could retest $4,500. You can follow live BTC price prediction updates and track crypto prices directly on Toobit.
But traders should temper their expectations. If markets have already priced in the Fed’s generosity, any delayor even a smaller-than-hoped cut could trigger a “sell the news” correction.
A lesson in connection
For years, crypto advocates argued digital assets were insulated from central banks. Yet the events of this week prove otherwise. From Washington to Wall Street, Fed policy decisions ripple outward, shaping sentiment in every corner of the market. Crypto may promise a financial system outside of fiat, but in practice, it still dances to the beat of monetary policy.
That’s the paradox and the opportunity. The Fed’s next move is not just Wall Street’s concern. It’s crypto’s, too.