The FED has finally shared the interest rate decision that all markets, including the cryptocurrency market, have been eagerly awaiting.
The FED kept interest rates steady at its target range of 5.25% to 5.5%. The expectation was that interest rates would be kept constant.
Investors will now focus on Chairman Jerome Powell's comments at his press conference at 21:30 ET.
Bitcoin reacted as follows after the interest rate decision:
“Economic activity expanded at a strong pace in the third quarter,” the Fed said in its policy statement after a two-day meeting in which officials unanimously decided to leave the benchmark interest rate in the 5.5%-5.50% range where it has been since July.
This statement, which means a further increase in the “strong activity pace” that the FED has seen since its September meeting, came after the latest data showing that the US gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 4.9% in the third quarter.
The Fed's latest statement noted that, with employment gains still “strong” and inflation still “high,” the central bank continues to evaluate “the extent of additional policy tightening that may be appropriate to return inflation to 2% over time.”
In the statement, it was stated that the FED continues to monitor the developments created by past interest rate increases while considering taking further steps, being aware of the “delays in monetary policy's impact on economic activity and inflation, as well as economic and financial developments.”
In comments before the decision, former Richmond FED chairman Jeffrey Lacker said that although policymakers are not expected to raise interest rates on Wednesday, investors should not take risks that the FED will end its policy tightening campaign.
Speaking on CNBC's “Squawk on the Street” program, Lacker said, “There is no reason for Chairman Jerome Powell to take interest rate hikes off the table and signal a definitive pause for an extended period of time.”
The Fed's interest rate decision came about a week after a report showed that US gross domestic product grew by 4.9% annually, above expectations. At the same time, Treasury yields remain elevated, with the 10-year bond yield rising above 5% in October.
These developments make Powell's press conference at 21:30 CET even more important. Investors will want to get additional context on the Fed's latest decision, as well as insight into the path forward for interest rate policy.
*This is not investment advice.