NEW YORK, Jan 27, 2026, 10:23 (EST) — Regular session
Bitcoin slipped roughly 1% to $87,701 on Tuesday, after hitting a high of $88,797 and falling to a low near $87,065 earlier in the session. Ether dipped about 0.5%, settling around $2,921.
Bitcoin remained under $90,000 amid a slide, with traders cautious ahead of remarks from the U.S. Federal Reserve. Chair Jerome Powell is set to address a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday. 1
The timing is crucial since crypto often moves with changes in liquidity and rate outlooks, despite technical factors seeming to dominate daily action. The Fed’s policy rate currently rests between 3.5% and 3.75%, following three consecutive quarter-point cuts. Traders are mostly braced for no change this week, according to 7 .
U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs, which hold bitcoin and trade like stocks, have drawn some attention as a near-term indicator. According to Farside Investors data, these funds saw a net inflow of $6.8 million on Monday. BlackRock’s IBIT led the gains, adding $15.9 million, while Bitwise’s BITB dropped $11.0 million and Ark’s ARKB fell by $2.9 million. 2
Beyond crypto, money shifted toward safety. Gold pushed past $5,000 an ounce, while silver climbed to a new high this week amid tariff worries and the approaching U.S. government funding deadline, boosting demand for safe havens, according to a Reuters report. 3
Product issuance held firm in Europe despite a drifting underlying price. On Tuesday, iShares Digital Assets AG finalized terms for a fresh 500,000-security tranche of its iShares Bitcoin ETP, according to a Refinitiv notice. 4
Traders remain focused on ranges rather than clear trends. “Bitcoin bounced back from just under $86,000,” said Riya Sehgal, a research analyst at Delta Exchange, citing buying activity visible in blockchain data — what she called “on-chain accumulation” — alongside “improving global liquidity signals.” 5
Bitcoin tends to hit crowded trades hard, and the Fed’s announcement can shift sentiment in an instant. A tougher stance on inflation or a signal that rate cuts are off the table might drag prices back toward the mid-$80,000 range. Conversely, a more dovish tone could push $90,000 back into view.
Investors are waiting to see if ETF flows pick up. A calm session can turn volatile quickly when liquidity dries up and negative macro news hits.
The Fed’s two-day meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27-28, according to its calendar, making Wednesday the next key event for crypto and wider risk markets. 6
