Bitcoin Slips to $84K as Post-Fed Optimism Wanes

Bitcoin Pulls Back as Post-Fed Optimism Fades; Ether ETFs See Extended Outflows

Bitcoin retreated Thursday as market optimism following the Federal Reserve’s decision lost steam. The cryptocurrency fell 1.4% to $84,253.5 by 10:01 ET (14:01 GMT), mirroring broader risk asset movements.

The Fed kept interest rates unchanged as expected but projected higher inflation and slower growth. Policymakers foresee a 50-basis-point rate cut by year-end, yet Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized ongoing economic uncertainty, especially amid President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade tariffs. Despite these concerns, Wall Street rebounded from recent lows, briefly lifting crypto markets before gains faded.

Meanwhile, U.S. spot Ether ETFs saw their 11th straight day of net outflows, shedding $358.1 million. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) lost $12.9 million Tuesday, pushing its total outflows to $137.6 million. Fidelity’s FETH and Grayscale’s ETHE also saw declines, bringing total ETF holdings to approximately $7 billion, with net inflows of $2.45 billion since their July launch, according to SoSoValue data.

Altcoins followed Bitcoin’s downturn. XRP hovered around $2.44, holding recent gains after the SEC dropped its case against Ripple. The regulator, reshaped under Trump’s administration, had previously dismissed cases against Coinbase and Kraken. Trump also appointed pro-crypto lawyer Paul Atkins as SEC Chair, signaling a shift in regulatory stance.

Ether dipped 2.5% to $1,978.94, while Cardano and Solana remained flat. Polygon lost 1.7%, and meme tokens like Dogecoin and $TRUMP fell 2.6% and 2.7%, respectively.

As crypto markets react to evolving macroeconomic conditions, traders remain cautious about volatility and regulatory shifts shaping the industry.