Fed hikes 25 basis points; Bitcoin holds near $75,700
The vote was unanimous. The hike was the first since 2023. Bitcoin barely moved for either.
At 18:00 UTC the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 3.75%–4.00%, its first increase since 2023.[1][2][3]
The vote was unanimous.[4]
Chair Kevin Warsh gave the reason: “The plain fact is that inflation is too high, and has been for too long.”[5]
Bitcoin traded near $75,900 shortly before the decision, in a range where leveraged longs were seen as vulnerable.[6] After the hike it stayed near $75,700.[7]
A leveraged long pays for the decision in the hour he cannot trade it, and the record files that hour afterward.
The price of money rose 0.25 points, and Bitcoin’s one-hour change was effectively flat.[1][8]
Who gains, who loses
Receipts
The Federal Reserve’s September 16, 2026 decision lifted the federal funds target range from 3.50%–3.75% to 3.75%–4.00% via a 25 basis point rate hike.
“The Federal Reserve voted to raise interest rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday to a range of 3.75%-4% amid persistently high inflation.”
The Federal Reserve scheduled the September 16, 2026 FOMC rate decision for 18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. EDT), with Kevin Warsh’s press conference starting at 18:30 UTC (2:30 p.m. EDT).
“The Federal Reserve has scheduled the September policy announcement for 18:00 UTC / 2:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 16.”
On September 16, 2026, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points to a target range between 3.75% and 4%, its first interest rate increase since 2023.
“The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2023 on Wednesday, reversing course as the Iran war drives up global energy prices and fuels inflation.”
The Federal Reserve’s 25 basis point rate hike to a 3.75%–4.00% target range on September 16, 2026 was decided unanimously by the Federal Open Market Committee.
“The decision was unanimous.”
In the September 16, 2026 press conference, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said, "The plain fact is that inflation is too high and has been for too long," describing the rationale behind the rate hike.
“The plain fact is that inflation is too high, and has been for too long,” Warsh said during the press conference.”
Shortly before the Federal Reserve’s September 16, 2026 decision, Bitcoin traded near $75,900, inside a $75,000–$76,000 range that Crypto Times described as vulnerable for leveraged long positions.
“Bitcoin traded near $75,900 shortly before the Fed decision, placing BTC inside a range where leveraged long positions were seen as vulnerable if the market repriced toward a more hawkish policy path.”
Altcoin Buzz reported that after the Federal Reserve raised rates by 25 basis points to 3.75%–4% in its first hike since July 2023, Bitcoin remained near $75,700 following a volatile reaction.
“The Federal Reserve raised rates by 25 basis points to 3.75% - 4%, its first hike since July 2023, while Bitcoin remained near $75,700 after a volatile reaction.”
Around the time of the September 16, 2026 FOMC rate hike, Crypto Times reported that Bitcoin traded near $75,389, with its one-hour change effectively flat, while the Federal Reserve raised rates by 25 basis points.
“Bitcoin (BTC) traded near $75,389, with its one-hour change effectively flat, while Ethereum (ETH) held around $2,386.”
Cabal Desk is reporting, written with AI under human oversight. Every bracketed number opens its receipt: the source, the quoted span, the hash. Headlines and characterisations are commentary; the sourced facts are the receipts. Not investment advice. Corrections log. Editorial & legal.