The cryptocurrency market has rallied after the Federal Reserve announced a 0.25 bps rate cut, as Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies trade in positive territory. However, altcoins have outperformed BTC over the past 24 hours, registering significantly larger gains. BTC rallied following the FOMC meeting, rising from $114,928 to an intraday high of $117,849 before moving to its current level of $117,010.
Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) crossed the $4,600 level, reaching an intraday high of $4,639 before dropping to its current level. The altcoin is up nearly 1% over the past 24 hours, trading around $4,566. Ripple (XRP) maintained its position above $3, with the price up 1.50%, trading around $3.06. Solana (SOL) is up over 3%, trading around $243, with buyers eying the $250 mark. Dogecoin (DOGE) is up over 3%, trading around $0.277, while Cardano (ADA) is up 2.56%, trading around $0.904. Chainlink (LINK), Stellar (XLM), Hedera (HBAR), Litecoin (LTC), Toncoin (TON), and Polkadot (DOT) also registered notable increases.
Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by 25 basis points and left the door open for more cuts. The first rate cut of 2025 takes interest rates down from a range of 4.25%-4.50% to 4%-4.25%. The Fed also stated that markets could expect further rate cuts. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell did not outline a clear path forward, saying that the Fed would retain its flexibility and act according to the prevailing macroeconomic situation. Despite the rate cut, Powell highlighted rising concerns around employment and economic growth. According to reports, one member of the FOMC, Trump appointee Stephen Miran, dissented, arguing for a more aggressive 50 bps rate cut.
Many view Miran’s appointment as part of a broader attempt by President Trump to influence and compromise the independence of the Federal Reserve. With Miran on the board of governors, Trump appointees make up three of the seven Federal Reserve governors.
Interest rates have a significant impact on asset prices, with lower interest rates reducing yield from fixed-income assets, including bonds and treasuries. However, they reduce the cost of borrowing, making riskier assets attractive to investors.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Bullish About Major Crypto Bill
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong believes critical legislation to advance crypto in the US has a “good chance of getting done” thanks to strong bipartisan support. The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act aims to clarify the roles of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Exchange Commission (CFTC), and other federal agencies that regulate the cryptocurrency market. Armstrong stated after meeting both Republican and Democratic lawmakers,
“This is how we ensure the crypto industry can be built here in America, driving innovation and protecting consumers, and making sure we never have another Gary Gensler trying to take your rights. The Senate is strongly supportive of getting this done; the members I met with on both sides of the aisle are ready to get this legislation passed. I think this has a good chance of getting done, I’ve actually never been more bullish on the market structure [bill] getting passed, it’s a freight train leaving the station.”
Senator Cynthia Lummis had stated earlier this month that the CLARITY Act would reach President Trump’s desk before the end of the year. Several other representatives also met with lawmakers. These included representatives from Ripple, Cardano, Circle, Kraken, and tech-focused VC firms like Paradigm and a16z. Kraken CEO Arjun Sethi stated that the market structure bill can support crypto products and services in a way that benefits builders.
“Thank you to everyone in DC fighting for crypto’s future. But the real fight is bigger: protecting the right to build protocols, chains, memes, tokenized equities, commodities, utilities, etc., and ensuring incentives stay with the builders, not just incumbents.”
SEC Approves Generic Listing Standards
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved generic listing standards to speed up crypto ETF approvals. Generic listing standards mean each application would not be assessed independently. The decision was listed in SEC filings on stock exchanges, including Nasdaq, NYSE Arca, and Cboe BZX, and would help streamline the approval process under Rule 6c-11. It would also significantly reduce approval timelines, which have generally taken several months in the past. SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated,
“By approving these generic listing standards, we are ensuring that our capital markets remain the best place in the world to engage in the cutting-edge innovation of digital assets. This approval helps to maximize investor choice and foster innovation by streamlining the listing process and reducing barriers to access digital asset products within America’s trusted capital markets.”
The SEC is facing deadlines to decide on several ETFs from Solana, XRP, and Litecoin. Other applications include Chainlink, Avalanche, Polkadot, and BNB. The decision has been hailed by many in the crypto ecosystem, with ETF analyst James Seyffart stating,
“WOW. The SEC has approved Generic Listing Standards for "Commodity Based Trust Shares," aka include crypto ETPs. This is the crypto ETP framework we've been waiting for. Get ready for a wave of spot crypto ETP launches in the coming weeks and months.”
Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis
Bitcoin (BTC) has rebounded after the Federal Reserve announced a 25 bps rate cut following the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The flagship cryptocurrency has faced volatility this week, reaching an intraday high of $116,802 on Monday before settling at $115,381. The price rose 1.26% on Tuesday but fell to a low of $114,724 on Wednesday before settling at $116,484. The current session sees BTC up nearly 1%, trading around $117,322.
BTC registered a sharp drop on Wednesday despite the announcement of a rate cut as it struggled to stay above the $115,000 mark. The cryptocurrency market’s immediate reaction to the rate cut was relatively muted, with traders and market investors digesting the bank’s cautious stance. The FOMC stated that job gains had slowed, unemployment had moved higher, and inflation remained at elevated levels. The Fed also acknowledged that the downside risk to employment had risen, leading to a dovish policy stance.
Market experts expect the Fed to cut rates by an additional 50 bps in the remainder of 2025. The expectations highlight the Fed’s growing concerns about the balance of risks. The FOMC emphasized its commitment to a 2% inflation target. However, the tone leaned more towards supporting growth and employment as markets grapple with slowing momentum. Despite a dovish stance and favorable market conditions, BTC’s response has been muted. The flagship cryptocurrency continues consolidating, with traders taking a cautious stance, keeping the Fed’s longer-term easing strategy in mind.
Several analysts believe the muted response is because the markets had already priced in a 0.25 bps rate cut. This raises the chance of a short-term sell-the-news reaction. While the rate cut is favorable for risk assets, investors have warned that initial optimism could fade quickly. This stance suggests traders expect near-term volatility even as the long-term outlook remains positive. Bitcoin open interest surged immediately after the FOMC meeting, suggesting that traders were positioning themselves for heightened volatility. However, spot market trading remained muted.
BTC faced volatility over the past weekend as it reached an intraday high of $113,390 on Friday (September 5). However, it failed to stay at this level and settled at $110,670, ultimately registering a marginal decline. Sellers retained control on Saturday as the price fell 0.41%. BTC recovered on Sunday, rising nearly 1% to end the weekend at $111,129. The price continued pushing higher on Monday, rising 0.85% to cross $112,000 and settle at $112,072. However, it lost momentum on Tuesday, dropping 0.47% to $111,547. Positive sentiment returned on Wednesday as BTC rallied, rising over 2% to cross $113,000 and settle at $113,983.
Source: TradingView
Buyers retained control on Thursday as BTC rose 1.37%, crossing $115,000 and settling at $115,540. The price continued pushing higher on Friday, rising 0.49% to cross $116,000 and settle at $116,106. Despite the positive sentiment, price action turned negative over the weekend as BTC registered a marginal decline on Saturday and fell 0.56% on Sunday, ending the day at $115,314. BTC faced volatility on Monday as buyers and sellers struggled to establish control. Buyers ultimately gained the upper hand as the price registered a marginal increase. BTC registered a sharp increase on Tuesday, rising over 1% to cross $116,000 and settle at $116,382. The price fell to an intraday low of $114,724 on Wednesday. However, it rebounded from this level to reclaim $116,000 and settle at $116,484, ultimately dropping 0.30%. The current session sees BTC up nearly 1%, trading around $117,204.
Ethereum (ETH) Price Analysis
Ethereum (ETH) is marginally up during the ongoing session after a muted reaction to the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a 0.25 bps rate cut. The altcoin’s price action has been mixed this week, dropping 1.77% on Monday and 0.55% on Tuesday, settling at $4,502. The price recovered on Wednesday, rising 1.99% to $4,591. The current session sees ETH marginally up, trading around $4,602.
Meanwhile, an Ethereum whale has purchased 18,000 ETH at $80.77 million, at an average cost of $4,487 per coin. ETH rallied to $4,600 shortly after the purchase, giving the whale unrealized gains of around $2 million almost immediately.
On the other hand, Citigroup has set a year-end price target of $4,300 for ETH, citing investor demand and growing interest in Ethereum-based use cases, including tokenization and stablecoins. Citigroup’s target for ETH is significantly lower than the altcoin’s record high of $4,955. The banking giant stated in a note on Thursday,
“Current prices are above activity estimates, potentially driven by recent buying pressure and excitement over use-cases.”
ETH has become the preferred choice for companies targeting active returns. Unlike BTC, which relies primarily on price speculation, ETH can be staked, allowing holders to earn yield while supporting the network.
ETH reached an intraday high of $4,493 on Friday (September 5). However, it could not stay at this level and settled at $4,307, ultimately registering a marginal increase. The price registered a marginal drop on Saturday before rising 0.74% on Sunday and settling at $4,306. ETH was muted on Monday and Tuesday as price action remained subdued. However, positive sentiment returned on Wednesday as the price reached an intraday high of $4,487 before settling at $4,348, ultimately rising 0.89%.
Source: TradingView
Buyers retained control on Thursday as ETH rose 2.57% and settled at $4,460. Bullish sentiment intensified on Friday as the price rallied, rising nearly 6% to cross $4,700 and settle at $4,315. However, it lost momentum over the weekend, dropping 1.01% on Saturday and 1.25% on Sunday to settle at $4,609. Sellers retained control on Monday as ETH fell nearly 2% and settled at $4,527. ETH continued falling on Tuesday, registering a marginal decline and settling at $4,502. Despite the overwhelming selling pressure, ETH rebounded on Wednesday, rising 1.99% to $4,591. The current session sees the price marginally up, trading around $4,599.
Solana (SOL) Price Analysis
Solana (SOL) is marginally up during the ongoing session, as it continues its march towards the $250 mark. SOL started the week in the red after failing to cross $250 over the weekend, dropping 2.31% to $234. The price recovered on Tuesday, rising 1.06% and settling at $236. Bullish sentiment intensified on Wednesday as the price rose over 3% to $244. The current session sees SOL up almost 1%, trading around $246.
Analysts believe a new all-time high for SOL could be imminent. The altcoin is up nearly 5% over the past 24 hours, and has risen almost 10% over the week. SOL’s latest rally is largely due to the Federal Reserve announcing a 0.25 bps rate cut following the latest FOMC meeting. Rate cuts make risk assets like SOL attractive to investors due to the lowered cost of borrowing. Additionally, institutional interest in the asset has persisted, with Helius Medical Technology revealing a $500 million SOL treasury strategy. The company revealed its strategy will be financed through a private equity offering. Pantera Capital also revealed that it had allocated as much as $1.1 billion to SOL. Dan Morehead, founder of Pantera Capital, explained that SOL is the firm’s biggest bet, calling it one of the most promising blockchain networks. The Solana blockchain is also witnessing a dramatic upswing in DeFi activity as popular memecoins rally.
SOL started the previous weekend in positive territory, rising 0.48% and settling at $203 on Friday. The altcoin fell 1.55% on Saturday but recovered on Sunday, rising over 3% to end the weekend at $206. Buyers retained control on Monday as the price rose 3.69% to $214. SOL continued pushing higher on Tuesday, rising 1.48% and settling at $217. Positive sentiment persisted on Wednesday as the price rose over 3% to cross $220 and settle at $223.
Source: TradingView
SOL rose over 2% on Thursday and settled at $228. Bullish sentiment intensified on Friday as the price rallied, rising nearly 6% to cross $240 and settle at $242. SOL faced selling pressure on Saturday, falling to an intraday low of $236. However, it rallied from this level to reclaim $240, ultimately registering a marginal increase. SOL reached an intraday high of $249 on Sunday but lost momentum after failing to cross $250. As a result, it fell nearly 1% to $240. Sellers retained control on Monday as SOL fell over 2% and settled at $234. Despite the selling pressure, SOL recovered on Tuesday, rising 1.06% to $236. Bullish sentiment intensified on Wednesday as the price rallied, rising over 3% to cross $240 and settle at $244. The current session sees SOL up almost 1%, trading around $246. Buyers will look to retain momentum and push the price beyond $250.
Injective (INJ) Price Analysis
Injective (INJ) started the previous week on a bullish note, rising over 4% to $13.58. The price reached an intraday high of $14.55 on Tuesday. However, it could not stay at this level and settled at $14.02, ultimately rising 3.18%. INJ was back in the red on Wednesday, dropping 0.91%, but recovered on Thursday, rising 2.32% to reclaim $14 and settle at $14.21. Buyers retained control on Friday as the price rose 0.52% and settled at $14.46.
Source: TradingView
Price action was mixed over the weekend as INJ rose 0.52% on Saturday, settling at $14.53 after reaching an intraday high of $14.89. However, it lost momentum on Sunday, dropping 3.02% to $14.10. Selling pressure intensified on Monday as INJ fell over 4%, slipping below $14 and settling at $13.53. Despite the bearish sentiment, the price recovered on Tuesday, rising 1.95% and settling at $13.79. Bullish sentiment intensified on Wednesday, rising 4.51% and settling at $14.41. The current session sees the price marginally up, trading around $14.42.
Filecoin (FIL) Price Analysis
Filecoin (FIL) rose 2.19% on Monday (September 8) and settled at $2.44. It faced volatility on Tuesday as buyers and sellers struggled to establish control. Buyers ultimately gained the upper hand as the price rose 0.46% to $2.49. Buyers retained control on Wednesday as FIL rose nearly 2% and settled at $2.49. The price crossed $2.50 on Thursday, rising 1.74% and settling at $2.53. FIL fell to an intraday low of $2.47 on Friday. However, it recovered from this level to reclaim $2.50 and settle at $2.56, ultimately rising over 2%.
Source: TradingView
Price action was mixed over the weekend as FIL rose over 2% on Saturday and settled at $2.62. However, it lost momentum on Sunday, dropping over 4% to $2.50. Selling pressure persisted on Monday as FIL dropped nearly 4% and settled at $2.41. The price rallied on Tuesday, reaching an intraday high of $2.66. It failed to remain at this level and settled at $2.55, ultimately rising 6%. FIL faced volatility on Wednesday, falling to an intraday low of $2.46. It rebounded from this level and settled at $2.56 after a marginal increase. The price is down over 1% during the current session, trading around $2.53.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.