Bitcoin slips below $18,000 as Federal Reserve raises interest rates by 50 basis points

Markets•December 14, 2022, 2:12PM EST
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Bitcoin slips below $18,000 as Federal Reserve raises interest rates by 50 basis points

Quick Take

  • The U.S. Federal Reserve increased interest rates by 50 basis points, bringing the target rate to 4.25-4.50%.
  • Bitcoin slipped below $18,000 following the announcement.

The U.S. Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by 50 basis points, increasing it to a range of 4.25% to 4.5%, the highest since 2007.

Today's interest rate decision was largely expected, with traders pricing in such a rise ahead of time. The price of bitcoin dipped below $18,000 following the news.

The central bank said it remains "highly attentive" to inflation risks. Policymakers projected rates would peak next year at 5.1% before being cut to 4.1% in 2024. That’s higher than previously predicted.

Source: federalreserve.org & bls.gov.org

Bitcoin immediately fell on the news. The leading crypto by market cap dipped below $18,000 briefly, from $18,355 before the announcement. The move appears to be a classic example of "buy the rumor, sell the news."

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