Bitcoin Holds Near $76.5K as US Stocks Rebound After Fed Rate Hike

Bitcoin (BTC) consolidated around $76,500 on Thursday after Wall Street opened higher, with US equities snapping back from recent losses triggered by the Federal Reserve's first interest-rate hike since July 2023. The central bank voted on Wednesday to raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing the target range to 3.75–4.0% and ending three years of easing cycles. Despite the tightening signal, investors moved into risk assets, pushing the S&P 500 Index up 0.9% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index up 1.5% on the day.

BTC/USD volatility cooled over the prior 24 hours, according to TradingView data, with the price recovering modestly after dipping below $76,000. Onchain analytics platform CryptoQuant reported a Bull Score Index reading near 60/100, suggesting that bullish momentum remained intact despite the macro headwinds. Liquidation heatmap data from CoinGlass showed both bid and ask liquidity thickening around the current spot price — a classic feature of rangebound trading conditions following major policy announcements. The Kobeissi Letter noted that the "asset owner economy just keeps getting better," citing the day's gains across equities and crypto markets.

The Fed's move signals a broader global pivot toward tighter monetary policy. The European Central Bank hiked by 0.25% last week, and the Bank of Japan is expected to follow suit on Friday. Analysts at Cointelegraph noted that central-bank rates are notching higher across major economies, though crypto markets have so far absorbed the news without significant sell-offs. Bitcoin treasuries added just 5,900 BTC over the past three months, reflecting cautious accumulation amid paper losses that continue to weigh on corporate holders. Traders are now watching whether BTC can reclaim the $77,000 resistance level or slip toward deeper support near $74,500 if liquidity conditions tighten further.