Fed Delivers 25 Basis Point Cut, Rates Now at 4% – BTC to $150k?

Core Points - The Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75%-4%, marking the second consecutive rate cut to support a softening labor market amid economic uncertainty [1] - The decision faced significant division within the FOMC, with one governor advocating for a larger cut and another opposing any reduction [1] - The rate cut occurred despite a federal government shutdown that limited access to critical economic data [2] - Markets experienced immediate volatility, with $300 million liquidated from crypto markets shortly after the Fed's announcement [2] - Bitcoin recovered to hold above $112,000 as traders assessed the implications of the rate cut and the end of quantitative tightening on December 1 [3] - The Fed acknowledged that job gains have slowed and risks to employment have risen, while inflation remains elevated [4] - The central bank's decision to halt balance sheet reduction indicates growing concern about liquidity conditions, with the balance sheet now below $6.6 trillion for the first time since 2020 [4] - Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that a December rate cut is uncertain, dampening expectations for further easing [5] - The ongoing government shutdown is affecting the Fed's policy deliberations and could impact the economy if it continues [5] - The shutdown has frozen most economic data releases, forcing reliance on outdated figures [6] - MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor predicts Bitcoin will reach $150,000 by year-end, reflecting a consensus among equity analysts in the Bitcoin industry [7]