The crypto market has dropped 2.8% in the past 24 hours to $2.24 trillion, with major cryptocurrencies leading the decline. Bitcoin fell around 2.7% to $63,400, while Ethereum dropped more than 3.2% to $1,874.
It’s not just the crypto market. Stocks are also facing heavy selling. South Korea’s tech-heavy KOSPI index plunged 10%, while Nvidia shares dropped around 5%.
Here are the key reasons why the crypto and stock markets are falling today.
Surging Fed Rate Hike Expectations
One of the biggest reasons is the upcoming FOMC meeting. Traders are becoming more worried that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates instead of keeping them unchanged.
On the CME Fed Watch tool, the odds of a 25-basis-point hike have climbed to around 37%, compared with roughly 10% a week ago.
Higher rates can hurt crypto and growth stocks because investors may prefer safer assets that offer better returns.
AI and Chip Stocks Add More Pressure
The sell-off is also spreading through technology and semiconductor stocks. South Korea’s KOSPI plunged more than 10%, while major chipmakers such as Samsung and SK Hynix faced heavy selling. The weakness has raised fresh concerns about whether the global AI investment boom is moving too fast.
Investors have poured huge amounts of money into AI infrastructure, but the market is now questioning how quickly those investments will generate returns.
That pressure has also reached U.S. markets, with Nvidia falling around 5% and other AI-linked stocks coming under pressure.
As technology stocks fall, investors are becoming more cautious across the wider market.
CLARITY Act Delay Adds to Crypto Uncertainty
Crypto has also faced a separate setback after the U.S. Senate postponed work on the CLARITY Act.
The bill is designed to create clearer rules for the digital asset market. Its delay has reduced hopes for quick regulatory progress and added another concern for institutional investors.
However, the CLARITY Act delay is only one part of the current sell-off. The bigger pressure is coming from Fed uncertainty and the broader decline in technology and risk assets.
What’s Next for Bitcoin and Crypto?
The market is now waiting for the Fed’s decision, with investors watching closely for any signal about future interest rates.
A surprise hike or a strongly hawkish message could put more pressure on Bitcoin and high-risk stocks. On the other hand, a rate hold with a softer outlook could ease selling pressure and trigger a relief rally.
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