Bitcoin Falls Below $76K Ahead of Fed Rate Decision

Bitcoin slipped below the $76,000 mark on September 15, 2026, erasing gains made earlier in the week and reaching a four‑week low of $75,560 after breaching the $77,000 support level.

Market Context

The decline came amid a deadlock in the Senate over the CLARITY Act and growing concerns about a possible Federal Reserve rate hike. Traders were also watching the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, where a quarter‑percentage‑point increase is widely expected.

Price Movement

After rallying past $78,000 earlier in the session and hitting a high of $79,579, Bitcoin lost momentum and fell below $77,000. The downward pressure continued, pushing the price to a daily low of $75,560, the lowest level since August 21. By mid‑morning (10:41 a.m. EDT) the price remained under $76,000, down about 3.5 % over the previous 24 hours.

Market Sentiment

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index dropped from an extreme‑greed reading of 81 on August 21 to a more cautious 67 by September 15, reflecting reduced conviction among investors.

Impact on Traders

Volatility triggered liquidations of more than $98 million in long positions on Bitcoin, along with roughly $45 million in leveraged short bets. Across the broader crypto market, nearly $300 million in long positions were wiped out, compared with $190 million in short positions.

Industry Perspectives

Vik Sharma, CEO of Cake Wallet, said a Fed rate hike is unlikely to alter Bitcoin’s long‑term case, noting that higher rates affect equities more directly. Lea Thompson, marketing manager at Cake Wallet, emphasized that the Fed’s guidance on real yields, dollar strength, and liquidity will be more consequential for the macro environment than the immediate price reaction.