Bitcoin Falls Below $79K as XRP Leads Crypto Losses on Fed Hike Bets

Bitcoin slipped below $79,000 as XRP led losses across major tokens, with traders starting to price in higher odds of a Federal Reserve rate hike and adding fresh risk-off pressure to crypto markets.

Bitcoin Breaks Below $79,000 as Risk Sentiment Weakens

The move below the $79,000 mark reads as a sentiment marker rather than a confirmed trend shift, with spot pricing visible on Bitcoin’s live market page. It comes as traders begin betting on a Fed hike, tilting positioning toward risk-off across the board. For related coverage, see Strive Raises $10M in ATM Proceeds to Buy 130+ Bitcoin.

To be clear, the story here is about market expectations of a tighter Fed, not a confirmed policy decision. The price break matters because it took out a round-number level that traders had been watching, echoing an earlier drop below $80,000 that pulled the market into a lower range. For related coverage, see CFTC Warns Consumers About Crypto ATM Risks.

XRP Leads the Downside Across Major Tokens

XRP was the standout loser as the sell-off widened, underperforming the broader market as major-cap prices tracked on market data pages turned red. Its relative weakness sharpened the bearish tone that Bitcoin’s slide had already set.

The rest of the majors softened in plain lockstep, but none fell as visibly as XRP. There is no confirmed token-specific catalyst behind the move; it tracked the same risk-off shift dragging the wider market lower. For related coverage, see StarkWare Enables Quantum-Safe Bitcoin Transaction on Mainnet.

Fed Hike Bets Put Fresh Pressure on Crypto Markets

Rising rate-hike expectations tend to weigh on risk assets, and cryptocurrencies are among the most sensitive. As traders repriced the odds of a hike, that pressure showed up first in the largest and most liquid names.

The move reflects positioning and sentiment, not a confirmed Fed action. Traders remain in wait-and-see mode ahead of any clearer policy signal.

What to watch next: incoming Fed signals, shifting rate expectations, and whether Bitcoin can stabilize after losing the round-number level. A near-term flashpoint is the market’s posture into the $6.4 billion options expiry, which could dictate whether the $75,000 to $80,000 band holds or gives way.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.