The Fed Raised Interest Rates for the First Time Since 2023. Bitcoin Held Near $76,000

• The Fed raised the interest rate by 25 basis points — to 3.75%–4%.
• The decision marked the first hike since July 2023.
• Bitcoin barely reacted and stayed around $76,000.

On September 16, 2026, the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) held a meeting. The regulator raised the interest rate by 25 basis points — from 3.5%–3.75% to 3.75%–4%. This is the first increase in the benchmark since July 2023.

The decision was unanimous — 12 votes to 0. The Fed noted that economic activity in the US is growing at a steady pace, consumer spending remains stable, and productivity growth and capital investment are high. At the same time, inflation remains above the target level.

The Fed also said the rate hike should help bring inflation back to the 2% target faster.

At the same time, the Fed released an updated forecast. The median estimate for US real GDP growth in 2026 was raised from 2.2% to 2.3%, while the unemployment forecast was lowered from 4.3% to 4.1%.

The PCE inflation estimate for end-2026 was raised from 3.6% to 3.7%, and the core measure from 3.3% to 3.4%. In 2027, the Fed expects PCE inflation to slow to 2.3%.

The median rate forecast is 4.1% for the end of 2026 and 2027. According to the dot plot, 16 of 18 participants expect at least one more 25-basis-point hike by the end of this year.