The Bitcoin price is under increasing pressure ahead of Wednesday&#8217;s Federal 
Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which has historically corresponded with 
big price movements in the market’s largest cryptocurrency. Rate Cut Odds Fade 
The Federal Reserve (Fed) is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged 
at this meeting. Economists surveyed by financial data provider FactSet 
anticipate the federal funds rate — the benchmark rate banks use for overnight 
lending — will remain in the 3.5% to 3.75% range. Such a pause would follow 
three consecutive rate cuts delivered by the Fed toward the end of last year, 
a shift that initially fueled optimism across risk assets, including the 
Bitcoin price. Related Reading: XRP Outlook For 2026: AI Model Signals New 
Record Ahead — Can Price Reach $6? Despite that earlier momentum, the Bitcoin 
price has struggled to maintain its footing. Ahead of the FOMC decision, the 
cryptocurrency is trading near $87,780, roughly 30% below the all‑time highs 
reached last year. Market analyst Ali Martinez has pointed to Bitcoin’s 
historical behavior around FOMC meetings as a reason for caution. In a recent 
post on X (previously Twitter) Martinez highlighted that expectations for a 
January rate cut are extremely low, estimated at just 2.8%, signaling that 
meaningful policy easing is unlikely in the near term. That backdrop, he 
argues, has often set the stage for increased volatility for the Bitcoin price 
rather than sustained upside. Looking back at 2025, Martinez noted that 
Bitcoin reacted negatively after the vast majority of the Fed’s policy 
meetings. Of the eight FOMC decisions held during the year, seven were 
followed by notable declines for the Bitcoin price. The January meeting was 
followed by a 27% drop, March saw a 14% decline, June was down 8%, July 
slipped 6%, September fell 7%, October recorded a 29% pullback, and December 
ended with a 9% loss. The analysts noted that the only exception seen in the 
year came in May, when the Bitcoin price briefly rallied about 15% after the 
decision. Bitcoin Price Approaches Key Decision Zone From a technical and 
on‑chain perspective, analyst BitBull also sees the Bitcoin price approaching 
a critical moment. BitBull noted on social media that the asset has entered 
what she describes as a key on‑chain decision zone. At current levels, the 
Bitcoin price is trading almost exactly at the Active Investor Mean, estimated 
near $87,500. This level represents the average cost basis for active buyers, 
placing much of that capital at breakeven. Related Reading: Tether Reveals 
Massive Gold Accumulation In Q4: Adds 27 Tons To Reserves BitBull explained 
that pressure is building on both sides of the price. Above current levels, 
the short‑term holder cost basis sits near $96,500, meaning many recent buyers 
are already underwater. As a result, any upward move toward that zone could 
face selling pressure as traders look to exit at reduced losses. On the 
downside, the True Market Mean at around $80,700 has historically marked the 
boundary between a “routine correction and deeper structural weakness.” 
Further below, the realized price near $56,000 suggests that long‑term holders 
remain firmly in profit and largely unshaken by recent volatility. BitBull 
argues if the Bitcoin price can maintain support above the $87,500 level, it 
would indicate that active capital is defending its position and that broader 
market strength remains intact. A sustained break below that level, however, 
could open the door for a move toward $80,700. Featured image from OpenArt, 
chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin Price Braces For FOMC Volatility As History Shows Major Post‑Fed Sell‑Offs

U.K.’s advertising watchdog has banned a Coinbase campaign that allegedly 
downplayed the risks of crypto investing and touted the exchange as a solution 
to the country’s cost-of-living crisis. According to the U.K. Advertising 
Standards Authority, the advertisements were deemed “irresponsible”…

UK ad watchdog bans Coinbase campaign for trivializing crypto investment risks

PYTH price shot up nearly over 17% shortly after securing a listing on 
Robinhood. It held the $0.05 support and appears to be shaping a double bottom 
pattern that suggests major upside this week. According to data from 
crypto.news, Pyth…

PYTH price forms support at $0.05 on Robinhood listing, potential 65% upside in play

Steak ‘n Shake increases its bitcoin exposure by $5 million, raising the 
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to $15 million. Steak ‘n Shake, a Biglari Holdings 
company, announces it has increased its bitcoin exposure by $5,000,000 in 
notional value, bringing the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) to $15,000,000; 
the update is presented as part of the chain’s ongoing […]

Steak ‘n Shake Increases Bitcoin Exposure to $15 Million, Expands Strategic Reserve

Steak ‘n Shake has added $5 million worth of Bitcoin to its reserves as it 
continues funneling all proceeds from Bitcoin payments directly into the fund. 
“Our self-sustaining system, improving food quality that grows same-store 
sales that then grow the…

Cryptocurrency price in SAR