Fed FOMC Minutes Release: What to Expect for Crypto Post 2 PM ET Today

The countdown is on. At 2 PM ET, the Fed FOMC Minutes Release will hit the market and both crypto and traditional industries are on edge. With Bitcoin price dipping, Ethereum price crashing, and total market cap pulling back from record highs, this release could decide the next major trend.

In this article, we break down what to expect from the event, how traders are positioning ahead of time, and three likely market scenarios that could unfold once it drops.

Why the Fed FOMC Minutes Release Matters for Markets

The FED FOMC minutes release today is far more than a regular update — it’s a market-moving event. Traders across the globe monitor it for policy clues that can spark immediate crypto market volatility.

Source: Wise Advice X Account

Here’s what matters most now:

• Federal Reserve Tone: Hawkish or dovish language will shape fed rate rate cut october prediction .

• Powell Speech Signals: Any timeline hints for the October 29 meeting is important to watch.

• Inflation Outlook: Updates may guide the Federal Reserve's next policy move.

• Crypto Liquidation Heatmap: Sudden price swings across multiple asset classes.

For crypto enthusiasts specifically, the Fed FOMC Minutes Release often acts as a short-term catalyst, triggering BTC price drops, Ethereum corrections, and liquidation spikes on leveraged positions.

Liquidation Heatmap: Traders Brace for Impact

Ahead of the release, crypto liquidation data from Coinglass shows aggressive positioning.

Over the past 24 hours:

• $621.04M total liquidations

• $489.72M in longs wiped out vs $131.32M in shorts

• 1-hour: $5.63M liquidated — balanced between longs and shorts

• 12-hour: $144.86M liquidated — majority longs

• Top liquidations: DOGE ($1.1M), COAI ($973K), ETH ($412K), BNB ($362K)

Takeaway: Traders are de-risking and getting squeezed ahead of the monetay policy outcome, setting the stage for a high volatility.

Markets Fully Price in an October Rate Cut Expectations

The CME FedWatch Tool shows the market’s expectations for the upcoming October 29 meeting are overwhelmingly dovish:

• 94.6% probability of a Federal Reserve rate cut October to 3.75%–4.00% (from 4.00%–4.25%)

• 5.4% expect no change

• 0% expect a hike

This heavy expectation is driving ETF inflows for Bitcoin and Ethereum , this is why this report is critical: it will either confirm the soft narrative or trigger a short-term correction.

Three Scenarios That Every Investor Should Watch Now

The upcoming report could shape one of three market reactions for different digital assets, so people asking does fomc minutes affect the industry have the clear answer.

1. Positive Confirmation

If today’s report aligns with the expected rate cut outlook, markets could rebound quickly. BTC and ETH may recover sharply from recent dips and total crypto market cap could reclaim and push above $4.2 trillion.

As per the history is concerned, positive FED FOMC minutes release have triggered strong rebounds within 24–48 hours.

2. Neutral Case

If they adopt a cautious stance or signals slower easing, volatility is likely to linger. Prices may consolidate or dip slightly further as traders could unwind leveraged positions and book quick profits.

3. Hawkish Surprise

Any unexpected hawkish tone, despite 0% hike expectations, could shock the markets which could result in turning the industry sentiment from 60% greed to shocking fear. Crypto market Liquidation heatmap could spike, mirroring pre-FOMC volatility

Final Take: All Eyes on 2 PM ET Today

The Fed FOMC Minutes Release isn’t just another macro headline — it’s a real-time volatility trigger that can set short-term direction for cryptocurrecy markets.

As per my analysis being a cryptocurrency expert, the first move after the report can be noisy. Often, the real trend emerges after the dust settles — so traders and investors should stay focused beyond the initial reaction.