FOMC, BTC News: BTC at $104K as Fed Leaves Rates Steady, Expects Weaker Growth, Higher Inf

June 18, 2025

As it was near-universally expected, the U.S. Federal Reserve left benchmark interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.50% on Wednesday at the June meeting.

“Although swings in net exports have affected the data, recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace,” the press release said. “The unemployment rate remains low, and labor market conditions remain solid. Inflation remains somewhat elevated.”

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The Fed’s quarterly economic projections—which include the “dot plot” that indicates where the central bank expects the Fed funds rate over time — showed that policymakers see rates at 3.9% by year-end 2025, translating to 50 basis point cuts this year, the same as they expected in March. However, Fed members see rates decline to 3.6% next year and 3.4% in 2027, indicating fewer rate cuts than their previous projection.

Policymakers also cut their economic growth projections, with the GDP increase this year now seen at 1.4% versus 1.7% at the March forecast. They also projected higher inflation for this year, with Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) and core PCE inflation landing at 3% and 3.1%, versus 2.7% and 2.8% in March. Fed members also see the unemployment rate rising to 4.5% this year and during 2026, up from 4.4% and 4.3% March projections.

Bitcoin (BTC), hovering around $104,000 earlier during the session, was little changed at $104,200 minutes following the Fed decision. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq indexes were up.

Traders will now turn their attention to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time (18:30 UTC) for further clues of policymakers’ outlook on monetary policy.

 

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