Bitcoin Teeters Near $93K as U.S. FOMC Meeting Looms: Key Economic Events to Watch This Week
Markets hold their breath as Bitcoin flirts with $93K—just days before the Fed's pivotal rate decision.
Will the FOMC crush crypto's momentum or serve up a surprise? Traders are hedging bets ahead of what could be a volatility bloodbath.
Meanwhile, Wall Street analysts are busy revising their 'this time it's different' PowerPoint decks—classic.
Bitcoin has slipped to its lowest point in six months, trading near $93,000 as hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut in December continue to fade. The crypto market fell sharply last week, with Bitcoin losing 7% and marking its third straight weekly decline. Earlier this month, traders were almost certain the Fed would cut rates in December, but that confidence has now dropped to around 40%. Several Fed officials have recently expressed hesitation about easing policy, pointing to sticky inflation and a still-strong job market. This shift has taken away the momentum that helped crypto rally earlier in the year, leading to outflows from Bitcoin spot ETFs and cooling overall demand.
Adding to the pressure, the recent U.S. government shutdown delayed major economic reports, including the key payrolls data now expected on Thursday. This lack of information left markets uneasy and encouraged a more cautious approach from investors who are already on edge.
At the same time, the crypto community is preparing for what many see as a crucial week. An X post from CryptoChatter points to a series of major U.S. events landing back-to-back, each carrying the potential to influence financial markets. With so much happening at once, traders believe this week could set the direction for the next major trend, especially if conditions tilt in favor of risk assets.
The week starts with the U.S. government reopening, ending a period of uncertainty and delayed data. This return to normal operations is expected to calm some of the recent fear in the market. Analysts say a stable backdrop makes it easier for investors to refocus on fundamentals instead of worrying about missing economic information.
On Tuesday, attention turns to the Federal Reserve, which is expected to add between $10–20 billion into the financial system. More liquidity often encourages investors to take on risk, and crypto tends to benefit when financial conditions loosen. If the Fed leans toward stronger support, it could help Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies regain short-term strength.
The biggest moment arrives on Wednesday with the FOMC meeting. Investors will be watching closely for clues about future rate decisions. Crypto analyst Joe Carlasare says the market is split on whether the December meeting will bring a cut or no change, but he sees this uncertainty as a positive sign, arguing that assets have already absorbed the shock of fading rate-cut expectations.
Manufacturing numbers arrive Thursday, followed by inflation expectations on Friday. Both reports play a big role in shaping how the Fed thinks about the economy. Softer data may increase pressure for rate cuts, while stronger numbers could keep the central bank cautious.
Analyst says the “jigsaw pieces are lining up,” suggesting traders believe the right mix of liquidity, data, and policy signals could spark the next big trend. Whether that leads to a new bull run now depends on how this unusually packed week unfolds.
