Fed Chair Slams Brakes on Bitcoin Reserve Despite Trump’s Pledge

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Reserve announced a 25-basis-point rate cut at the final FOMC meeting of 2024.
• Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated the central bank is not permitted to hold Bitcoin.
• Powell’s comments triggered a sharp crypto market downturn, erasing $800 million in leveraged positions.

The Federal Reserve concluded its final Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting of 2024 with a widely-anticipated 25-basis-point rate cut, signaling a shift in monetary policy.

However, the real shock came from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who revealed that the central bank is legally barred from owning Bitcoin.

Powell’s remarks dampened hopes for a strategic Bitcoin reserve—a prospect widely anticipated since President Donald Trump’s election victory—and sparked a sell-off that wiped out over $800 million in leveraged positions.

Crypto Markets Plunge Despite Rate Cut Optimism

Historically, Federal Reserve rate cuts have been bullish for crypto markets, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Optimism was high leading into the FOMC meeting, with many anticipating a rally after weeks of subdued trading. Instead, Powell’s Bitcoin remarks overshadowed the dovish policy shift, igniting a market-wide sell-off.

Bitcoin dropped over 5% in the aftermath, with altcoins suffering double-digit losses.

The crypto market bleeds red. Source: Coinglass

“We’re not allowed to own Bitcoin,” Powell stated during the post-meeting press conference . “The Federal Reserve Bank says what we can own, and we’re not looking for a law change. That’s the kind of thing for Congress to consider, but we are not looking for a law change at the Fed.”

National Bitcoin Reserve: A Waning Dream?

The idea of a national Bitcoin reserve gained traction during the 2024 presidential campaign, with President-elect Donald Trump championing the proposal as part of his pro-crypto platform.

His campaign promises galvanized state-level initiatives, with lawmakers in Ohio , Texas, and Pennsylvania introducing bills to establish state Bitcoin reserves.

However, Powell’s comments have cast doubt on the feasibility of a national Bitcoin reserve.

While the Fed cannot own Bitcoin under current regulations, Powell suggested that any changes would require legislative action—a significant hurdle given the partisan divide in Congress.

Proponents argue that Bitcoin reserves could act as a hedge against the declining value of the U.S. dollar.

Critics, however, highlight Bitcoin’s volatility and the geopolitical leverage provided by the dollar’s dominance in global trade.