--- title: "Bitcoin Holds $76,000 After Fed Hike: Why Is BTC Strong While Equities Fall?" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/299320891.md" description: "Bitcoin maintained support above $76,000 following the Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike since 2023. While the market absorbed the move, persistent inflation and expectations of further tightening pose liquidity risks to crypto assets. Santiment Intelligence highlights that higher Treasury yields and a strong dollar remain headwinds, with future price action dependent on upcoming economic data and regulatory developments like the CLARITY Act." datetime: "2026-09-17T12:22:03.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/299320891.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/299320891.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/299320891.md) generator: "portal-rs" --- # Bitcoin Holds $76,000 After Fed Hike: Why Is BTC Strong While Equities Fall? **Bitcoin** (CRYPTO: BTC) trades above $76,000 on Thursday as crypto markets absorbed the Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate hike since 2023. The muted move puts the focus on what comes next—whether Wednesday’s hike was a one-off adjustment or the start of a longer tightening cycle that could pressure liquidity across crypto markets. ### **Why BTC Isn’t Selling Off?** Santiment Intelligence data noted on Thursday that Bitcoin’s ability to stay above $76,000 could reflect how heavily markets had positioned for tighter policy before the announcement. Instead of reacting to the 25-basis-point hike itself, traders are now assessing whether inflation forces the Fed into a more aggressive tightening cycle. The Fed raised its 2026 PCE inflation forecast to 3.7% from 3.6%, with core inflation seen at 3.4%. Inflation is not expected to return to the Fed’s 2% target until 2029. For crypto, inflation remains key: - Cooling inflation and stable Treasury yields could ease pressure on Bitcoin. - But persistent inflation, higher energy prices or rising yields could increase expectations for more Fed tightening. ### **Why Next Fed Hike Matters More For BTC** Santiment cautioned that the bigger risk for crypto could be what happens after September. The Fed’s latest projections show a median federal funds rate of 4.1% at the end of 2026, effectively pointing to another quarter-point increase from the current range. 16 of 18 policymakers expect at least one more hike this year. That leaves Bitcoin facing a liquidity test even as it absorbs Wednesday’s widely anticipated decision. Higher rates increase the appeal of cash and government bonds while raising financing costs and tightening financial conditions, potentially create a tougher backdrop for Bitcoin and higher-risk altcoins like **Ethereum** (CRYPTO: ETH), **Solana** (CRYPTO: SOL) and **XRP** (CRYPTO: XRP) ### **What’s Next For Crypto** Santiment Intelligence sees the near-term crypto outlook as "uncomfortable." The strong dollar, high Treasury yields and prospect of another Fed hike remain headwinds for crypto. But September’s hike removed some uncertainty, shifting focus to upcoming inflation, energy and economic data for clues on whether further tightening is needed. Crypto-specific catalysts can also outweigh macro pressures. Bitcoin’s next major move may depend on both Fed policy and U.S. crypto regulation. The CLARITY Act setback highlighted BTC’s strength in responding to regulatory developments. "The September hike is therefore neither automatically catastrophic nor secretly bullish," noted Santiment. *Image: Shutterstock* **Read Also: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRPHit by CLARITY Act 'Setback,' Fed Hike: What's Next?** ### Related Stocks - [BTC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BTC.US.md) - [GBTC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GBTC.US.md) - [ARKB.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ARKB.US.md) - [IBIT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/IBIT.US.md) - [FBTC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/FBTC.US.md) - [BITB.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BITB.US.md) - [BITO.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BITO.US.md) - [BRRR.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BRRR.US.md) - [BTCO.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BTCO.US.md) - [BTCW.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BTCW.US.md) - [HODL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/HODL.US.md) - [EZBC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/EZBC.US.md) - [BITU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BITU.US.md) - [BITX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BITX.US.md) - [BTCL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BTCL.US.md) - [SBIT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SBIT.US.md) - [BTCZ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BTCZ.US.md) - [YBIT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/YBIT.US.md) - [YBTC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/YBTC.US.md) - [03008.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/03008.HK.md) - [03042.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/03042.HK.md) - [03430.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/03430.HK.md) - [BTCE.DE](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BTCE.DE.md) - [SSTK.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SSTK.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [Crypto Rally To Be Tested By Fed Rate Decision](https://longbridge.com/en/news/298932988.md) - [Osmosis Took 74 Days To Discover A 40-BTC Nomic Exploit That Left Its Bitcoin-Backed Asset 36% Unbacked](https://longbridge.com/en/news/298903281.md) - [Hong Kong-based crypto exchange CoinEx to cease operations amid prolonged market downturn](https://longbridge.com/en/news/299010660.md) - [ViaBTC Partners with Mempool to Expand Access to BTC Transaction Acceleration Services](https://longbridge.com/en/news/299126618.md) - [Symbiosis says it recovered 15 BTC after Bitcoin bridge exploit, offers attacker 20% bounty](https://longbridge.com/en/news/298840279.md) --- > **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**