Blog · Halloween special · Crypto news today · 31 Oct 2026
Trick or treat? The Fed spooked Bitcoin. Long or short?
Happy Halloween, traders. The scariest chart this week? The Fed rate decision is in: the FOMC meeting kept US interest rates at 3.75%–4.00%, and the next day Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP slipped. Here's why crypto is down, what the Ethereum upgrade means, a simple Bitcoin price prediction for both sides, and how traders call the short (or the bounce) with leverage on Moon.com.
Fed decision
Held at 3.75%–4.00%
FOMC meeting, 28 Oct 2026
Crypto reaction
BTC, ETH & XRP lower
Market reports, 29 Oct 2026
Big tech news
Ethereum upgrade
Rolling out this week
FOMC meeting explained in 30 seconds
The Federal Reserve sets the cost of borrowing dollars. Cheaper money pushes investors toward riskier bets like crypto and tech stocks. When the Fed holds rates instead of cutting, the "easy money" party gets pushed back, and risk assets often cool off. That's the fed interest rate effect in one line.
Why is crypto down today?
Bitcoin
Weakened on 29 Oct as traders priced in rates staying higher for longer.
Ethereum
Fell alongside Bitcoin, even with a major network upgrade rolling out.
XRP
Dropped with the wider market as risk appetite faded.
Is this a crypto crash? Not by itself. A dip after a Fed hold is a mood shift, not a collapse. Watch whether the selling continues over the next few sessions.
The Ethereum upgrade: why it matters
Ethereum is rolling out a major upgrade aimed at making the network faster and cheaper to use. Upgrades like this tend to matter more over months than days, which is why ETH can still fall in the short term when the macro mood is weak.
Bitcoin price prediction: bull vs bear
Bear case · current mood
Rates stay high, risk appetite stays low, and Bitcoin drifts lower. Traders who read it this way open shorts.
Bull case
Softer US data revives rate-cut hopes and Bitcoin bounces. Traders who see this coming go long.
Scenarios, not forecasts. Nobody knows the next move for sure.
Call the short: Bitcoin leverage trading
Shorting Bitcoin means you make money if the price falls. Leverage multiplies the move. Here's a $100 short on a 1% drop:
| Leverage | Position | BTC -1% (you win) | BTC +1% (you lose) | Wiped out at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1x | $100.00 | +$1.00 | -$1.00 | +100.0% |
| 2x | $200.00 | +$2.00 | -$2.00 | +50.0% |
| 5x | $500.00 | +$5.00 | -$5.00 | +20.0% |
| 10x | $1,000.00 | +$10.00 | -$10.00 | +10.0% |
| 25x | $2,500.00 | +$25.00 | -$25.00 | +4.0% |
| 50x | $5,000.00 | +$50.00 | -$50.00 | +2.0% |
| 100x | $10,000.00 | +$100.00 | -$100.00 | +1.0% |
| 500x | $50,000.00 | +$500.00 | -$100.00 | +0.20% |
| 1,000x | $100,000.00 | +$1,000.00 | -$100.00 | +0.10% |
Switch between long and short and try your own numbers:
Bitcoin leverage calculator
Position size
$10.00
Profit / loss
$0.10
Final balance
$1.10
Wiped out at
+10.0% move
Fees, funding and slippage not included. Example only, not financial advice.
Short or long Bitcoin on Moon.com
Moon.com lets you go long or short on Bitcoin and other markets with up to 1,000x leverage, funded with crypto such as USDT. Whatever your read on the Fed, you can trade it. Sign up with code PAISA for 3.5% lifetime rakeback on your fees.
Get live calls from the community
Traders in Paisa on Moon talk Fed moves, Bitcoin and setups every day.
Risk warning
High leverage can wipe out a position in seconds, long or short. Never trade money you can't afford to lose. This is not financial advice. We are a Moon.com affiliate and may earn a commission when you sign up through our links.
People also ask
What did the Fed decide at the October 2026 FOMC meeting?
The US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 3.75%–4.00% on 28 October 2026.
Why is crypto down today?
After the Fed held rates, Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP all fell on 29 October in market reports. When rate cuts look further away, investors often take less risk, and crypto is one of the first places that shows.
How do interest rates affect Bitcoin price?
Lower rates make borrowing cheaper and push investors toward riskier assets like crypto. Higher or steady rates for longer can cool that appetite. It's one big driver, not the only one.
Can I short Bitcoin?
Yes. Shorting means you profit if the price falls. On Moon.com you can open a short (or a long) with leverage up to 1,000x, funded with crypto such as USDT. If the price rises instead, you lose.
Is Bitcoin leverage trading risky?
Very. Leverage multiplies both gains and losses. At 100x a 1% move against you wipes out your stake; at 1,000x it takes only 0.1%.
How do I get 3.5% rakeback on Moon.com?
Enter code PAISA when you sign up. Forgot? Add it within 24 hours from your profile's Offer section to get 3.5% of your fees back for life.