Powell to Speak at Stanford During Fed Blackout as Markets Expect 25-Basis-Point Rate Cut and Examine 2026 Dot Plot

In a light macro backdrop, crypto markets are parsing cues as Fed Chair Jerome Powell attends a Stanford ceremony honoring the late George Shultz. With a policy blackout in place, Powell will not discuss policy. Markets price about a 90% probability of a 25 basis-point rate cut next week, which would influence liquidity for digital assets.

Should the cut materialize, focus shifts to the Fed’s updated dot plot, offering clues on the 2026 trajectory for policy. Crypto traders will monitor liquidity and risk appetite as the path becomes clearer, with potential implications for Bitcoin and other digital assets.

Markets stay disciplined in this data-quiet window, pricing scenarios that balance macro uncertainty with liquidity dynamics. The outcome could reinforce a shift toward a constructive risk-on stance for cryptocurrencies, underscoring the value of credible central-bank signals for ongoing market stability.