Bitcoin is trading below $79,000, and traders are starting to bet the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. Over the past 24 hours, nearly every major token is flat or lower, with XRP leading the losses. Solana and BNB are the exceptions.
The Fed factor
The shift in rate expectations is weighing on risk assets. A hike would tighten liquidity, and crypto tends to feel that first. Bitcoin's 14% weekly gain shows the move lower is recent, not a trend reversal. The market is pricing in a higher chance of a rate increase, and that's enough to knock the top coin off its perch.
XRP's slide
XRP is down the most among majors over the last 24 hours, even though it still holds a 28% weekly gain. That suggests profit-taking after a strong run rather than a fundamental break. The token had been on a tear, and now some of that momentum is fading.
Solana and BNB hold up
Solana and BNB are the only major tokens in the green. The facts don't say why, but they're bucking the broader trend. That's a small sign of resilience in a market that's otherwise taking a breather.
The next test is whether Bitcoin can hold above $79,000 if the Fed signals a hike at its next policy meeting. Traders will be watching the central bank's language for confirmation.
