What happened?
October’s early “Uptober” rally quickly fizzled after President Trump announced a sweeping 100% tariff on imports from China, which sent crypto prices tumbling within days. Market focus has shifted to today’s Fed FOMC meeting as investors look for signs of future interest rate cuts. Despite the pullback, many crypto supporters see the drop as a healthy reset that removes excess leverage ahead of the next bull cycle.
Who does this affect?
Traders and anyone using leverage were hit hardest by the sudden sell-off, while institutional investors are now watching macro moves and Fed signals closely. Projects like XRP, Solana, and Ethereum are directly affected because ETF approvals, partnerships, and network upgrades influence how much institutional and retail capital flows into each token. Early-stage investors and presale participants, like those in the Bitcoin Hyper offering, could see big swings in sentiment and value depending on whether momentum returns.
Why does this matter?
The market impact could be substantial: clear Fed guidance or favorable US crypto rules and ETF launches would likely attract large institutional inflows and drive prices higher. If Solana ETF listings and XRP catalysts materialize, top tokens could retest previous highs and spark broader market rallies. On the flip side, continued geopolitical shocks or slower rate cuts could extend consolidation and keep volatility elevated, meaning big, fast moves remain likely in either direction.