Bitcoin below $79,000, XRP leads losses as traders start betting on a Fed hike

Bitcoin traded below $79,000 as the broader crypto market came under pressure, while XRP led losses among major digital assets, according to CoinDesk. The move reflected a shift in trader positioning around U.S. monetary policy expectations.

Market participants have begun betting on the possibility of a Federal Reserve interest-rate hike. Expectations for tighter monetary policy can weigh on risk-sensitive assets because higher rates generally raise borrowing costs and can make safer yield-bearing investments relatively more attractive.

Bitcoin is the largest cryptocurrency by market value and is often viewed as a barometer for broader digital-asset sentiment. XRP is a token associated with the XRP Ledger ecosystem and has historically seen sharp price movements during periods of heightened market volatility.

Crypto markets can react quickly to changes in expectations for central-bank policy, inflation, economic growth and liquidity. The reported decline in bitcoin and XRP highlights how macroeconomic expectations continue to influence trading across digital assets.