NewsTradingSentimentCalendarCommunityBriefing
Markets

Bitcoin Holds $78,000 Despite Fed Hike and Legislative Failure

By Markets Desk · 2026-09-18 · 2 min read
A digital coin resting on a stack of physical currency
Illustration: Tradingbird

Bitcoin remains stable at $78,000 following a Federal Reserve rate hike and the Senate's rejection of the Clarity Act.

Bitcoin is trading at $78,000. The asset is down 1.5% for September. This performance defies the historical seasonal average of a 3% loss. The price has recovered from a dip below $74,887. This occurred after the Senate failed to pass the Clarity Act.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points. This marks the first hike in over three years. The move was expected to pressure risk assets. Instead, Bitcoin maintained its level. It is on track for a 32% quarterly gain.

Market resilience defies seasonal trends

Bitcoin rallied 25% in August. It reached approximately $81,000 during that period. Analysts expected a significant correction in September. Historical data since 2013 shows an average monthly decline of 3%. The current 1.5% drop is significantly lower than the norm.

Mitchell Askew of Blockware notes the lack of price movement. He states that bad news usually triggers selling. In this case, the market absorbed the shocks. The stability suggests a change in market dynamics. Traders are not reacting to negative headlines as they typically would.

Seller exhaustion signals bottoming process

Askew describes the current state as seller fatigue. She argues that potential sellers have already exited positions. There are fewer coins available to sell on bad news. This exhaustion is a positive indicator. It often appears in the later stages of a market bottom.

The Clarity Act failed to secure the required 60 votes. It received only 49 supporters in the Senate. Bitcoin briefly fell below $74,887 before stabilizing. The limited sell-off indicates the market had priced in the risk. The legislative setback did not cause a panic reaction.

Macro pressures remain manageable

West Texas Intermediate crude oil exceeded $106 per barrel. This is a five-month high. The Dollar Index topped 100. These factors usually weigh on risk assets. However, Bitcoin has outperformed despite these headwinds. The Bank of Japan also raised rates to a 31-year high.

Fabian Dori of Sygnum Bank offers a different perspective. He suggests rising rates can benefit store-of-value assets. If rates signal sovereign risk, Bitcoin may act as a hedge. This view contrasts with traditional risk-on/risk-off logic. The asset is outperforming gold and other alternatives.

Joel Kruger of LMAX Group sees the resilience as a positive sign. He believes the path of least resistance is upward. A modest improvement in macro conditions could trigger a rally. The market has shown strength despite challenging news. This creates a setup for potential growth. The digital asset market remains stable according to GN auto markets/crypto: digital asset.

Based on reporting by CoinDesk, compiled by the Tradingbird desk.

More from the Markets desk

All desk stories
  • A modern city skyline with skyscrapers reflecting the morning light
    Illustration: Tradingbird

    Nikkei Gains 1.4% After BoJ Rate Hike to 31-Year High

    Asian equities closed higher on Friday, driven by a 1.4% jump in the Nikkei 225 and a 2.7% surge in the Kospi. European benchmarks, however, traded lower in early sessions. The divergence reflects mixed reactions to recent central bank actions and shifting oil prices.

    2026-09-18
  • A stack of long, rectangular paper bonds with perforated edges
    Illustration: Tradingbird

    Ten-Year Treasury Yield Holds Steady at 4.951 Percent

    The 10-year US Treasury yield remained flat at 4.951% on September 18, 2026. This stability followed the Federal Reserve's first rate hike in three years. The 2-year yield rose slightly in the same session.

    2026-09-18
  • A polished gold bar resting on a dark surface
    Illustration: Tradingbird

    Gold Rebounds to $4,380 After Weekly Low of $4,235

    Gold recovers from a one-month low as oil prices fall, though Fed hawkishness caps gains.

    2026-09-18