The October 28 Fed statement was scheduled for 7 p.m. in Germany, an hour earlier than the previous meeting’s German-time schedule. That timing matters if you follow crypto markets in Europe and want to match a U.S. policy announcement with a Bitcoin quote. The Federal Reserve can influence rates and risk appetite, but its statement does not set Bitcoin’s price.
This update separates the scheduled release from the market response. It also uses dated price figures rather than treating a closing price as a live quote. The FOMC statement is the committee’s written announcement of its policy decision and its view of the economic outlook.
The schedule alone does not confirm what the committee decided. Nor does a release time show how traders will read its words or respond to the news. The timing is fixed, while the price response depends on the decision, the statement’s wording, and the market’s starting position.
Key Takeaways
- The October 28 statement was set for 7 p.m. CET and 2 p.m. EDT.
- Germany and the United States had a temporary five-hour time difference.
- Bitcoin closed at $80,630.39 on October 28, 2026.
- A dated close is different from a live quote on a trading venue.
- Policy wording can shape market expectations even when a rate decision is expected.
- Bitcoin trades around the clock, including outside U.S. stock-market hours.
Bitcoin Price Fed Statement 7 PM German Time 2026: What Was the Exact Release Time?
Germany’s 7 p.m. release time corresponded to 2 p.m. in New York on October 28. Europe changed clocks first, briefly narrowing the usual Berlin-New York gap from six hours to five.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the Federal Reserve group that sets U.S. monetary policy. The FOMC statement is the committee’s written announcement of its policy decision and its view of the economic outlook. The statement was scheduled for 14:00 EDT and 19:00 CET.
On October 28, use a five-hour Berlin-New York difference, not the usual six-hour gap.
Why the German and U.S. clocks differed
Germany moved its clocks back from 03:00 to 02:00 on October 25, 2026. The United States was not due to change clocks until November 1, leaving the cities five hours apart through October 31.
The two-day FOMC meeting ran October 27-28. The Federal Reserve’s October calendar lists the meeting and the 2 p.m. event on October 28.
The statement and press conference schedule
The chair’s press conference followed the statement by 30 minutes. The schedule below shows the German and New York times, including the clock change that created the temporary difference.
| Event | New York time | Germany time |
|---|---|---|
| October 25 clock change | No U.S. clock change | 03:00 to 02:00 |
| October 28 statement | 14:00 EDT | 19:00 CET |
| October 28 press conference | 14:30 EDT | 19:30 CET |
The U.S. clock change on November 1 restored the usual six-hour difference between Berlin and New York.
Where Bitcoin Stood Before the Fed Update
Bitcoin’s October 28, 2026 closing price was $80,630.39. That figure is a daily close, not a live quote guaranteed at every exchange or time zone.
Bitcoin had closed at $82,546.32 on October 9. On October 18, it traded near $82,000, about 35% below its early October 2025 all-time high of approximately $126,080.
The 2026 range ran from $60,074.20 to $97,860.60. Those figures show the year’s low and high, while the October 28 number records that day’s close.
The table keeps the different measures separate. October 28’s “today” price in this dated update means the documented closing price, not a current quote.
| Date or period | Measure | Price | Unit or context |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 9 | Close | $82,546.32 | USD |
| October 18 | Trading level | Near $82,000 | USD, approximate |
| 2026 | High | $97,860.60 | USD |
| 2026 | Low | $60,074.20 | USD |
| October 28 | Close | $80,630.39 | USD |
BTC/USD is quoted in U.S. dollars. BTC/USDT uses Tether, a dollar-linked stablecoin, and its quote can differ slightly because of venue pricing, spreads, and fees.
The October 28 close is the recorded Bitcoin price for that date, not a single live market price shared by all exchanges. Check the timestamp and trading venue before comparing a live BTC/USD or BTC/USDT quote with a closing price.
What Does an FOMC Statement Tell Bitcoin Traders?
The FOMC statement gives the committee’s policy decision and its current assessment of economic conditions. Its words matter because traders look for changes in the Fed’s view of inflation, jobs, and growth.
The Federal Reserve has two central goals: price stability and maximum employment. The FOMC sets monetary policy and holds eight regularly scheduled meetings each year. The statement shares both the decision and the committee’s economic outlook.
The statement is not the only communication traders read. At the press conference, the chair can explain the decision and answer questions about the economy or future policy.
The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy explanation describes the committee’s goals and how rate choices shape financial conditions.
Meeting minutes are different from the statement. The minutes come later and record the discussion in greater detail, while the statement presents the decision and the committee’s public view.
A headline rate change can look clear, yet a single word about future policy may shift market expectations. A decision that matches expectations can still be followed by a market move if the committee’s language changes expectations about future policy.
Why Federal Reserve Rate Decisions Move Crypto
A Fed decision can affect Bitcoin even when the committee says nothing about cryptocurrencies. The link is indirect: rates can alter investors’ appetite for risk, the appeal of cash, and the value of the dollar.
The Federal Reserve sets the federal funds rate, which helps guide borrowing costs across the economy. Bitcoin does not pay interest, so its appeal can change when safer interest-bearing choices become more attractive. A rate move can influence Bitcoin, but it does not dictate its direction.
Liquidity and appetite for risk
Tighter policy can make credit more costly and reduce money available for risk assets. Some investors may then become less willing to hold volatile crypto assets.
Easier policy can support liquidity and raise willingness to take risk. That can help demand for Bitcoin, though other market forces can still push its price down.
The dollar and the opportunity cost of holding Bitcoin
When market rates are elevated, U.S. dollar cash and Treasury securities can offer interest. Holding Bitcoin means giving up that possible return, since Bitcoin itself has no yield.
A stronger U.S. dollar can also weigh on assets priced in dollars. The relationship is not automatic, and the reasons behind a rate change can matter as much as the change itself.
Broader crypto market news can add another influence alongside Fed policy. A crypto market update on Monero and Remittix covers other token and market factors, not a direct signal for Bitcoin.
The reason for a rate move and the guidance around it matter alongside the rate itself.
What Were Markets Expecting From the October 2026 Decision?
Before the meeting, the strongest market expectation was that the Fed would leave rates unchanged. Those odds were a snapshot, not a record of what the committee ultimately decided.
On October 22, market-implied odds put the chance of no change at about 90.6%. The chance of a 25-basis-point increase was about 9.4%, with the target range at 3.75%-4.00% before the meeting.
The target range followed a 25-basis-point increase in September. A basis point equals one-hundredth of a percentage point, so 25 basis points equal 0.25 percentage point.
Inflation and fund flows offered separate clues about the mood around risk. U.S. consumer prices rose 3.7% year over year in September, above the Fed’s 2% target.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs had $909.7 million in net outflows over the two weeks through October 16. Their cumulative net inflows since January 2024 were still about $57.3 billion.
Before a decision, market odds describe expectations rather than certainty. Three points could shape how traders read the statement:
- The existing target range of 3.75%-4.00%.
- The chance of a 25-basis-point hike.
- The wording about the Fed’s future policy path.
A high probability of a hold does not eliminate volatility if the statement differs from what traders anticipated.
Which Months Have Been Weakest for Bitcoin?
September has had Bitcoin’s weakest average monthly return since 2010. Its average was -4.16%, while August also had a negative average return, at -0.54%.
October and November have shown stronger historical averages. Since 2010, Bitcoin’s average monthly return was 29.88% in October and 37.51% in November.
September is Bitcoin’s weakest month by average return since 2010, at -4.16%. That answers the seasonal comparison, but it does not tell you what Bitcoin will do in a particular week.
Monthly averages blend many years of very different market conditions. A strong average can include sharp declines, just as a weak average can include periods of gains.
Bitcoin’s past returns also do not isolate the effect of interest rates, inflation, or market news. A seasonal pattern is one piece of context, not a reliable forecast for the next trading session.
A specific Fed announcement can bring news that is not reflected in a long-term calendar average. Do not use a seasonal average alone to time a trade around a specific Fed announcement.
What the 2024 Halving Can and Cannot Tell Investors
A Bitcoin halving reduces the number of new coins paid to miners for each block. The reward changes by rule after every 210,000 blocks, or about every four years.
Bitcoin’s maximum supply is 21 million coins. On April 20, 2024, the block reward fell from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC, cutting the rate of new issuance.
How the block reward changes
After the 2024 halving, miners could earn 450 new bitcoins each day through block rewards. The next reduction is expected around April 2028, when the reward is set to fall from 3.125 BTC to 1.5625 BTC.
Nearly 94% of all bitcoins had been issued by the 2024 halving. Bitcoin’s 21-million-coin cap and scheduled reward cuts make future issuance predictable.
What happened after the 2024 halving
Bitcoin’s price was $64,994.44 on halving day and $60,252.95 150 days later. That comparison does not show that the halving caused the price to fall. It does show that a supply cut does not ensure an immediate rise.
More than 96% of all bitcoins are expected to have been issued by the 2028 halving. As most coins already exist, the direct supply effect of later halvings may be limited.
More than 96% of bitcoin’s supply is expected to have been issued by 2028, which may limit the direct impact of later reward cuts.
Bitcoin can rise after a halving, but the 2024 price comparison shows that the event alone does not ensure an increase.
Could Bitcoin Reach $150,000 or Fall to $10,000?
The available price scenarios range from a conditional $150,000 target to a severe-stress case near $10,000. Neither is certain; each depends on conditions beyond one Fed statement.
A Motley Fool contributor set a $150,000 Bitcoin target before the end of 2026. The case depends on continued positive ETF demand, institutional and sovereign interest, and a permissive macroeconomic environment.
The conditional $150,000 target
The target is a contributor’s conditional view, not a guaranteed forecast. A supportive policy setting could help, but ETF demand and large investors’ interest would also need to hold up.
The $10,000 stress scenario
A Bloomberg Intelligence strategist said Bitcoin could fall toward $10,000 if U.S. stocks fell 20% and central-bank policy tightened. This is a stress scenario, not the base case.
The two figures describe very different conditions, not a fixed range for Bitcoin. The October 28 close gives a recorded point of comparison, while the other figures depend on future events.
| Case | Price marker | Condition or status |
|---|---|---|
| October 28 close | $80,630.39 | Recorded closing price |
| Upside target | $150,000 | ETF demand, institutional and sovereign interest, permissive macro conditions |
| Downside stress scenario | Near $10,000 | U.S. stocks fall 20% and central-bank policy tightens |
Neither scenario should be treated as a price promise or as a substitute for assessing personal risk.
How to Handle Bitcoin Trading Around the Fed Announcement
A useful Fed-week plan starts with knowing what could force a position to close, not with guessing the first price move. Leverage can raise the stakes when crypto prices move quickly.
The statement and the chair’s press conference are separate scheduled events. A new comment during the press conference can move the market after traders have already reacted to the statement.
Leveraged positions can be liquidated when the account no longer meets margin requirements. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission warns that virtual currency trading can carry substantial risk.
Check the risks tied to your own position before the event. A short checklist can help you prepare without picking a direction:
- Verify the event time in the calendar you use.
- Check whether an existing position uses leverage.
- Review the account’s liquidation and margin terms.
- Decide in advance what amount of loss you can afford.
Fast price changes can affect orders and account balances before you have time to react. A stop or alert cannot prevent every loss during a fast market.
What Time of Day Is Bitcoin Most Active During Fed Week?
Bitcoin trades 24/7, but that does not mean its trading activity is equally strong at every hour. Activity can rise when major markets overlap or new economic news arrives.
Bitcoin spot trading runs around the clock, seven days a week. Regular U.S. stock-market trading generally runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays.
No clock time guarantees the best liquidity. Activity and spreads can shift as European and U.S. sessions overlap, or when a central bank releases news.
These cues can help explain why a market feels busier at one moment than another:
- The overlap between European and U.S. sessions.
- The U.S. equity-market session.
- Scheduled economic or central-bank announcements.
Crypto trading does not close when stock exchanges shut for the day. Each venue can still have its own trading volume and spread pattern after U.S. market hours.
Compare activity and spreads on the venue you actually use rather than assuming that a clock time guarantees liquidity.
Should You Buy Bitcoin Now or Wait for More Fed Clarity?
A Fed decision by itself cannot tell you whether Bitcoin suits your finances or time horizon. There is no reliable perfect entry based on one announcement.
Buying now versus waiting depends on how long you can hold, how much loss you can tolerate, and whether you need the money soon. Spot Bitcoin ownership does not have the same liquidation mechanism as a leveraged position.
Federal Reserve policy can change the relative appeal of cash, bonds, and volatile assets. It cannot answer whether a Bitcoin position fits your own budget or plans.
Use a plan that does not depend on borrowed money. Consider these three checks before choosing an approach:
- Define your holding horizon.
- Set a position size that does not depend on borrowed money.
- Decide whether scheduled purchases fit your circumstances.
Spreading purchases over time can reduce dependence on one entry price. It does not prevent losses if Bitcoin’s price falls, so the approach still carries market risk.
For broader crypto risk context, recent token and market developments show why news outside Bitcoin can also shape sentiment.
Do not invest money you may need for near-term expenses in a volatile asset.
Conclusion
The key update is the clock: the October 28 statement was scheduled for 7 p.m. German time. That schedule fixes when the announcement was due, not what Bitcoin would do in response.
A time conversion is not a price signal. The market’s starting point and its reading of the decision still matter.
Before making a trade, compare the actual FOMC statement with the same BTC/USD or BTC/USDT quote and timestamp you use to follow the market.
FAQ
Should I keep my Bitcoin or sell?
Whether to keep or sell Bitcoin depends on your time horizon, cash needs, and ability to tolerate a loss. A Fed announcement alone does not decide which choice is right. Think about how a sharp price decline would affect your plans and whether you need the money soon. Avoid treating a single market headline as a personal financial plan.
What if you put $10,000 in Bitcoin 5 years ago?
Calculate the result by multiplying $10,000 by Bitcoin’s price on your chosen end date, then dividing by its price on the exact purchase date. The exact dates matter because Bitcoin’s price can change sharply within a day. Fees reduce the amount left, and applicable taxes can affect what you keep after selling. Use matching dates and quote units.
Will Bitcoin fall to $10,000?
Bitcoin falling toward $10,000 is a conditional stress scenario, not a certainty. The scenario depends on U.S. stocks falling 20% and central-bank policy tightening. Those events could weaken demand for risky assets, but they do not guarantee that specific Bitcoin price. Treat the figure as one possible outcome under severe conditions, not as a forecast of the usual path.
Will Bitcoin go up after halving?
Bitcoin can rise after a halving, but the event does not ensure a gain. The April 2024 halving cut the block reward, yet Bitcoin’s price was $64,994.44 that day and $60,252.95 150 days later. That comparison does not prove the halving caused the decline. Other market forces can shape prices before and after a reward change.
Will Bitcoin hit $150,000 in 2026?
Bitcoin could reach $150,000 in 2026 under one contributor’s conditional target, but the figure is not guaranteed. The case depends on positive ETF demand, institutional and sovereign interest, and a permissive macro environment. A change in any of those conditions could weaken the case. A Fed statement by itself cannot confirm that the target will be reached.
What is the best time to buy Bitcoin?
No hour guarantees a favorable Bitcoin price. A planned purchase schedule can reduce your dependence on one entry point, but it cannot remove the risk of loss. Bitcoin trades around the clock, and activity changes across venues and market sessions. Choose a schedule that fits your budget and time horizon instead of relying on one ideal moment.
Should I buy Bitcoin right now or wait?
Base the choice on your time horizon, cash needs, and tolerance for losses, not on an assumed Fed-driven move. Buying now gives you exposure to the current price, while waiting leaves you exposed to the risk of a later price change. Neither choice guarantees a better result. Keep money needed for near-term costs out of volatile investments.
What time of day is Bitcoin most active?
Bitcoin trades 24/7, and activity can rise when European and U.S. market sessions overlap. Scheduled economic news can also bring more trading, but no specific hour guarantees the best liquidity or price. Trading volume and spreads vary by venue. Check the market conditions where you trade rather than assuming every exchange follows the same activity pattern.
