Fed Rate Hike Doesn’t Stop Crypto: $3.55 Billion Inflows
Bitcoin and Ethereum funds attracted the most capital, while spot Bitcoin ETFs on Wall Street drove the inflows. MicroStrategy also bought more, despite the higher Fed rate.
Key Takeaways
- The crypto market saw $3.55 billion in inflows into crypto funds last week, the biggest week of 2026, despite a Fed rate hike.
- Bitcoin funds pulled in $2.52 billion, followed by Ethereum with $702 million, Solana with $193 million, and XRP with $92.3 million.
- MicroStrategy bought 1,666 Bitcoin and now holds 847,666 BTC, while upcoming U.S. inflation and labor market data could affect new rate expectations.
The crypto market saw a strong $3.55 billion (€3.1 billion) inflow into crypto funds last week, the biggest week of 2026, despite a rate hike from the Federal Reserve on September 16. That shows big investors sent money back into crypto, even though higher rates usually weigh more heavily on risky assets.
Fed Sets the Tone
The Fed raised its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%. The market had already seen that move coming. According to CoinShares, that removed a period of waiting and quickly brought back buying interest.
CoinShares said the broad demand suggests institutional conviction returned once the rate decision removed a major source of uncertainty. The asset manager also pointed out that crypto itself does not generate yield, while government bonds become more attractive when rates are higher.
Bitcoin and Ethereum Pull in the Most Money
Bitcoin funds were by far the biggest draw, with $2.52 billion (€2.2 billion) in inflows. Ethereum funds followed with $702 million (€618 million). Solana added $193 million (€170 million), and XRP brought in $92.3 million (€81.3 million). In total, $3.43 billion (€3 billion) came from U.S. products, with spot Bitcoin ETFs attracting money on all five trading days.
The inflows came after a weaker stretch for the sector. A week earlier, the crypto market had already lost ground after the CLARITY Act stalled in the U.S. Senate. Bitcoin then fell below $75,000 (€66,100). Later, the price climbed back to nearly $84,236 (€74,200), according to BeInCrypto data.
Why This Matters
For European crypto readers, the key point is that the inflows do not seem to be coming only from retail trading, but mainly from institutional products like funds and ETFs. That makes the reaction to the rate decision broader than just a short-term trading move. At the same time, it shows that U.S. rate expectations still ripple through the crypto market quickly, even outside the U.S.
MicroStrategy also bought another 1,666 Bitcoin during the same period and financed part of that purchase through the sale of new shares. The company now holds 847,666 BTC. CoinShares noted that share sales like this dilute existing shareholders. Upcoming U.S. inflation and labor market data will remain important, because new rate expectations could once again affect demand for crypto. Even cooler U.S. inflation could quickly shift rate expectations and, in turn, affect demand for bitcoin and other digital assets.
