The FOMC kept rates unchanged for a fifth straight meeting, but three regional presidents dissented in favor of a hike — the first triple dissent since 2016. Chair Walsh rejected the “pause” framing and signaled readiness to hike if inflation stays sticky, while swaps have since trimmed September hike odds.
Matters because: The Fed’s hawkish tilt could pressure crypto and other risk assets near term, since tighter-for-longer policy usually reduces liquidity for speculative markets.