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How the Fed’s latest decision could affect crypto markets in 2025

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Bitcoin may have kicked off 2025 with a rebound back to $100,000, but since the release of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s December 2024 Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Jan. 8, the BTC/USD exchange rate dropped to as low as $91,220.84.

Bitcoin has stabilized at around $95,000 since then, but concerns run high whether further news about the future direction of interest rates and monetary policy will result in an additional negative impact to the performance of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

As cryptocurrencies have entered the financial mainstream, they have become increasingly sensitive to policy changes from the Federal Reserve. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the latest news from the Fed, and see what it could mean for the performance of both Bitcoins and altcoins in the months ahead.

Why Cryptos Fell on The Latest Fed News

As revealed in the aforementioned Fed meeting minutes, the central bank once again cut interest rates by 0.25%, or 25 basis points. This was in line with expectations. However, while the latest rate cuts arrived as expected, other takeaways from the meeting minutes caught investors off-guard.

Namely, the Fed’s signaling of its plans to reduce the number of 25-basis point rate cuts in 2025. Before the meeting minutes hit the street, the market was still expecting four such cuts throughout the year. The latest remarks from Fed officials regarding quantitative tightening also suggested that the “Fed pivot” this year will not be as rapid of a shift from hawkish to dovish as previously anticipated.

Taking this into account, it’s not completely surprising that Bitcoin has once again encountered negative volatility. Nor is it surprising that more volatile altcoins, like Ethereum, Solana, and Dogecoin, have all experienced double-digit declines over the past week. As “risk-on” assets, cryptocurrencies, especially altcoins, perform better during times of accommodative fiscal policy.

Yet while the Fed may be not turning as dovish as previously expected, and is in fact continuing to engage in monetary tightening, the impact of these policy decisions on cryptocurrency prices in 2025 may not be as dire as it seems at first glance.

What This Means for Bitcoin and Altcoin Prices in 2025

Although the cryptocurrency market reacted negatively to the Fed’s current policy gameplan, said plans could still result in further upside for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. For one, the planned implementation of fewer 25 basis-point rates still means a further loosening of monetary policy, helping to justify additional upside for this “risk-on” asset class.

Second, with regards to Bitcoin, other positive factors are at play that could drive further upside for the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. These include increased institutional and retail investor allocation, as well as the specter of a more favorable crypto regulatory environment from the incoming Trump administration.

Binance CEO Richard Teng commented on what we can expect in the crypto industry in 2025, “We expect to see development across all aspects. Crypto regulation saw great growth across the world in 2024 and we expect to see more in 2025. Given the recent U.S. presidential election and expected crypto regulation from its new government, we expect to see other countries follow the lead from the U.S. and enact more legislation across the world.”

Teng continues, “In terms of institutional interest, financial giants like BlackRock and Fidelity entered the crypto business in 2024, and we expect to see more new players next year. More companies are learning about crypto and integrating crypto features like tokenization into their business. This is a trend that has grown for years and we expect to see more development in.”

Admittedly, the recently-announced changes to the Fed’s rate cut plans could still negatively impact the performance of altcoins in the short-term. Altcoins are much more sensitive to changes in fiscal policy. Nevertheless, if a bull market continues in Bitcoin, chances are it will spill over into the altcoin space as well. Investors profiting from a continued run up in the price of Bitcoin could cycle their gains into Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and other major and emerging altcoins.

The Bottom Line

Over a longer timeframe, the Fed’s decision to more cautiously lower interest rates and loosen fiscal policy may do little to threaten the long-term bull case for cryptocurrencies. Due to a variety of trends, including the proliferation of exchange-traded cryptocurrency investment products, institutional and retail capital inflows into cryptocurrencies are poised to continue.

Of course, nothing’s for certain. For instance, following the latest jobs report, there is growing doubt whether the Fed will further walk back its 2025 rate cut plans. Even if the Fed sticks to its current plan, this asset class is likely to stay highly volatile. Caution and patience remain key.

Nevertheless, taking into account not just the Fed news,but the other positive trends at play as well, the opportunity for long-term price appreciation with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is still on the table.



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US Senators Question Trump’s Involvement in USD1 Stablecoin

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A coalition of US Senators is raising serious concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving President Donald Trump and an upcoming stablecoin project called USD1.

The digital asset, backed by World Liberty Financial (WLF), has drawn scrutiny due to Trump’s reported ties to the company behind it.

Warren-Led Group Flags Risks of Presidential Involvement in USD1 Approval

On March 28, a group of lawmakers led by Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

They asked both agencies to clarify how they plan to uphold regulatory integrity regarding the impending USD1 stablecoin.

The request comes as Congress considers the GENIUS Act, a bill that would grant the Fed and OCC broad authority over stablecoin regulation.

“The President of the United States could sign legislation that would facilitate his own product launch and then retain authority to regulate his own financial company,” they noted.

The Senators warned that allowing a sitting president to profit from a digital currency regulated by federal agencies under his influence poses a major threat to financial stability. They argue that such a situation is without precedent and could erode public trust in the regulatory process.

“The launch of a stablecoin directly tied to a sitting President who stands to benefit financially from the stablecoin’s success presents unprecedented risks to our financial system,” They argued.

The letter outlines scenarios where Trump could directly or indirectly influence decisions involving USD1.

For instance, the President could interfere with the OCC’s evaluation of the stablecoin’s application or discourage enforcement actions against WLF.

They also suggested that Trump could pressure the Federal Reserve to provide emergency financial support for USD1 during market volatility—support that may not extend to competing stablecoins.

“[Trump] could also attempt to direct the Fed to establish a master account at the central bank for WLF. He could intervene to deny such assistance to USD1’s competitors,” the lawmakers stressed.

In addition, the Senators noted that the GENIUS Act contains no conflict-of-interest provisions that would prevent Trump from using his office to benefit financially from the stablecoin’s success.

This absence of guardrails, they say, opens the door to regulatory favoritism and economic manipulation.

Considering this, the lawmakers demanded clarification on how the Fed and OCC would handle key issues. These include the approval process for USD1, the potential creation of liquidity support during crises, and WLF’s oversight of potentially unsafe business practices.

The agencies must submit their responses by April 11, 2025. The letter was signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Chris Van Hollen, Jack Reed, and Cory Booker.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Ethereum Drops As Two Whales Face $235 Million Liquidation Risk

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Ethereum (ETH) is under pressure once again, dropping around 3% in the last 24 hours and falling below the $1,800 level. This decline is putting several large leveraged positions at risk, including two massive whale vaults on Maker that collectively hold over $235 million worth of ETH.

With on-chain indicators flashing warning signs and technical levels being tested, the stakes are rising for both bulls and bears. As ETH hovers near critical support, the coming days could prove pivotal for its short-term price trajectory.

Ethereum Whales Could Get Liquidated

Ethereum has dropped around 3% in the past 24 hours, slipping below the $1,900 mark once again. This decline is putting pressure on large leveraged positions within the DeFi ecosystem.

According to on-chain data from Lookonchain, two major whale vaults on Maker—one of the leading decentralized lending protocols—are now approaching critical levels.

Whale data on DeBank.
First Whale data on DeBank. Source: Lookonchain on X.

Together, these vaults hold 125,603 ETH, valued at approximately $235 million. With ETH’s price nearing their liquidation thresholds, both vaults are at risk of being forcibly closed if the downward trend continues.

In Maker’s system, users can deposit ETH into vaults as collateral to borrow the DAI stablecoin. To avoid liquidation, the collateral must stay above a certain health ratio—essentially a safety buffer.

Whale data on DeBank.
Second Whale data on DeBank. Source: Lookonchain on X.

When that buffer gets too low, the protocol automatically sells off the collateral to cover the debt. In this case, the health ratio of the whale positions has fallen to just 1.07, dangerously close to the minimum threshold.

One vault faces liquidation at an ETH price of $1,805, and the other at $1,787. If ETH continues to dip, these vaults could trigger significant sell pressure, potentially accelerating the downward move.

Indicators Suggest The Downtrend Could Continue

Ethereum’s recent price drop has pushed its Relative Strength Index (RSI) back into oversold territory, currently sitting at 24.37. Just three days ago, the RSI was at 58.92, indicating how quickly sentiment has shifted.

The RSI is a momentum indicator that measures the speed and change of price movements, with readings below 30 typically signaling that an asset is oversold.

ETH RSI.
ETH RSI. Source: TradingView.

While this suggests that Ethereum may be due for a short-term bounce or relief rally, historical data shows that RSI can remain oversold for extended periods—or even drop further—if bearish momentum stays strong.

Ethereum’s Directional Movement Index (DMI), which signals a strong downtrend, adds to the bearish outlook. The Average Directional Index (ADX), which measures the strength of a trend, surged to 38.6 from 23.47 just a day ago, indicating growing momentum behind the current move.

ETH DMI.
ETH DMI. Source: TradingView.

Meanwhile, the +DI (positive directional indicator) has fallen to 10.6, while the -DI (negative directional indicator) has spiked to 40.23, showing that sellers are firmly in control.

This combination—rising ADX, high -DI, and falling +DI—typically suggests an intensifying bearish trend, meaning Ethereum’s price could remain under pressure in the near term despite already being technically oversold.

Will Ethereum Fall Below $1,800 Soon?

If Ethereum’s downtrend continues, the next key level to watch is the support at $1,823. A break below this level could quickly push the price down toward $1,759—a move that would trigger the liquidation of two major whale vaults on Maker, which are already hovering near their thresholds.

These potential liquidations could amplify sell pressure, making it even harder for Ethereum price to stabilize in the short term. Given the current bearish momentum and weak technical indicators, this scenario remains a real risk if bulls fail to step in.

ETH Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

However, if sentiment shifts and the trend reverses, Ethereum could regain ground and test the resistance level at $1,938.

Breaking above that could open the path toward $2,104, a level that has previously acted as both resistance and support. Should buying momentum strengthen further, ETH might continue climbing toward $2,320 and potentially even $2,546.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Dark Web Criminals Are Selling Binance and Gemini User Data

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More than 100,000 users of popular crypto exchanges Binance and Gemini may be at risk after a trove of sensitive information appeared for sale on the dark web.

The leaked data reportedly includes full names, email addresses, phone numbers, and location details—raising alarms over growing cyber threats in the crypto sector.

Dark Web Actors Are Targeting Crypto Users

On March 27, a dark web user operating under the alias AKM69 listed a large database allegedly tied to Gemini, one of the largest crypto trading platforms in the US.

According to Dark Web Informer, the dataset mainly includes information about users from the United States, with a few entries from Singapore and the United Kingdom. The attacker claims the data could be used for marketing, fraud, or crypto recovery scams.

“The database for sale reportedly includes 100,000 records, each containing full names, emails, phone numbers, and location data of individuals from the United States and a few entries from Singapore and the UK,” the report stated.

It is unclear whether the leak resulted from a direct breach of Gemini’s systems or from other vulnerabilities, such as compromised user accounts or phishing campaigns.

Meanwhile, this incident followed another alarming listing on March 26.

According to the report, a separate dark web actor, kiki88888, allegedly offered a trove of Binance user data for sale. The database is said to hold over 132,000 entries, including the exchange users’ login information.

Threat Actor Selling Binance Users' Data.
Threat Actor Selling Binance Users’ Data. Source: X/Dark Web Informer

The Dark Web Informer suggests phishing attacks likely caused the breach rather than a compromise of the exchange’s systems.

“Some of you really need to stop clicking random stuff,” the Informer stated.

Binance and Gemini have yet to publicly comment on these incidents. However, phishing remains one of the most effective methods cybercriminals use to exploit crypto holders.

Scammers often impersonate official accounts or place misleading ads that redirect users to fake websites. Coinbase users are also being extensively targeted through phishing campaigns.

As BeInCrypto reported earlier, in March, Coinbase users lost over $46 million to social engineering scams.

Blockchain security firm Scam Sniffer revealed that phishing-related losses exceeded $15 million in the first two months of the year. This figure highlights the growing scale of the threat.

Given the rising threats, crypto users should stay vigilant and avoid unfamiliar links. They should also protect their accounts with two-factor authentication and hardware wallets whenever possible.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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