The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting scheduled for today, June 18, 2025, has captured the attention of both traditional and cryptocurrency markets as investors brace for the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates. This pivotal event, highlighted by Crypto Rover on social media, could see the Fed opt to hike, hold, or cut rates, each with significant implications for risk assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and altcoins. Historically, FOMC announcements have triggered volatility across markets, with crypto often reacting sharply to shifts in monetary policy. For context, during the last FOMC meeting on May 1, 2024, Bitcoin dropped 3.2 percent within 24 hours of the announcement to around 56,500 USD as the Fed signaled a hawkish stance, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Today’s decision, expected to be revealed at 2:00 PM EDT (18:00 UTC), could similarly sway market sentiment. Stock markets are also on edge, with the S&P 500 showing a muted 0.1 percent gain as of 9:30 AM EDT (13:30 UTC) on June 18, 2025, per Yahoo Finance, reflecting cautious investor behavior ahead of the announcement. The correlation between stock indices and crypto remains strong, as both are sensitive to changes in risk appetite driven by Fed policy. A rate hike could dampen enthusiasm for speculative assets, while a cut might fuel a rally in both equities and digital currencies. This event’s outcome will likely dictate short-term trading strategies for crypto investors looking to capitalize on volatility.

From a trading perspective, the FOMC decision presents multiple opportunities and risks across crypto markets. If the Fed opts for a rate hike at 2:00 PM EDT (18:00 UTC) today, we could see immediate selling pressure on Bitcoin, potentially driving it below the critical support level of 60,000 USD, a threshold it has hovered around since June 10, 2025, based on TradingView charts. Conversely, a rate cut could propel BTC toward resistance at 65,000 USD, a level last tested on June 5, 2025. Trading volumes on major pairs like BTC/USD and ETH/USD have already spiked by 12 percent in the past 24 hours as of 10:00 AM EDT (14:00 UTC) on June 18, per Binance data, indicating heightened trader activity in anticipation. Altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) could also see amplified moves, with ETH trading at 3,400 USD and SOL at 135 USD as of the same timestamp, both showing tight correlation with BTC’s price action. Cross-market analysis suggests that a risk-off sentiment in stocks—potentially triggered by a hawkish Fed—could lead to outflows from crypto, as institutional investors reallocate capital to safer assets. On the flip side, a dovish outcome might encourage money flow into both crypto and growth stocks, creating a bullish setup for tokens tied to decentralized finance (DeFi) and layer-1 protocols.

Technical indicators further underscore the importance of today’s FOMC decision for crypto traders. Bitcoin’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 52 as of 11:00 AM EDT (15:00 UTC) on June 18, 2025, per CoinGecko, indicating a neutral stance but with room for momentum in either direction post-announcement. The 50-day moving average for BTC, currently at 61,200 USD, acts as a near-term pivot point, with a break below signaling bearish momentum and a push above suggesting bullish continuation. On-chain metrics reveal a 15 percent increase in BTC transactions over 100,000 USD in the last 48 hours as of 9:00 AM EDT (13:00 UTC), according to Glassnode, hinting at institutional positioning ahead of the Fed’s move. In terms of stock-crypto correlation, the S&P 500 and Bitcoin have shown a 0.7 correlation coefficient over the past 30 days, per CoinMetrics data accessed on June 17, 2025, meaning a sharp move in equities post-FOMC could directly impact BTC and major altcoins. Trading volume for crypto-related stocks like Coinbase (COIN) also rose by 8 percent as of market open at 9:30 AM EDT (13:30 UTC) today, based on Nasdaq data, reflecting heightened interest in crypto exposure via traditional markets.

Institutional money flow between stocks and crypto will be a critical factor to monitor post-FOMC. A hawkish Fed stance could see capital rotate out of risk assets, with Bitcoin ETF outflows potentially accelerating—Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) saw net outflows of 50 million USD on June 17, 2025, per Bloomberg data. Conversely, a rate cut might drive inflows into spot BTC ETFs, further boosting crypto prices. For traders, key levels to watch include BTC support at 59,500 USD and resistance at 64,000 USD as of 12:00 PM EDT (16:00 UTC) on June 18. The interplay between stock market reactions and crypto sentiment will shape the next 24-48 hours, offering scalping opportunities on pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, especially during the volatile window immediately following the 2:00 PM EDT (18:00 UTC) announcement. Staying agile with stop-loss orders around key levels will be essential to manage risk in this high-stakes environment.

FAQ Section:
What time is the FOMC announcement on June 18, 2025?
The FOMC announcement is scheduled for 2:00 PM EDT (18:00 UTC) on June 18, 2025, and traders should prepare for immediate market reactions in both crypto and stock markets.

How might a rate hike impact Bitcoin’s price?
A rate hike could trigger selling pressure on Bitcoin, potentially pushing it below the 60,000 USD support level, as seen in past hawkish Fed decisions like the one on May 1, 2024, when BTC dropped 3.2 percent within 24 hours.

What are the key trading levels for Bitcoin post-FOMC?
Key levels to watch include support at 59,500 USD and resistance at 64,000 USD as of 12:00 PM EDT (16:00 UTC) on June 18, 2025, with potential breakout or breakdown depending on the Fed’s decision.