#PowellRemarks

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced that interest rates will remain unchanged for the fourth consecutive time, holding steady at 4.25%–4.50%—the same level they were when Donald Trump took office as President.

Powell emphasized that the global economic landscape is evolving rapidly, and this is “not the right time” for a rate cut. He also noted that interest rate adjustments don’t always have a direct impact on borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, or business financing.

A key concern remains the U.S. government’s mounting $5.1 trillion debt burden. Powell warned that lowering rates could lead to substantial fiscal losses for the government, stating: "In this global environment, we simply can’t afford that kind of risk. A premature cut could worsen the situation."

Looking ahead, Powell said the Fed is still assessing whether future cuts are appropriate, depending on incoming data and global stability.

Meanwhile, in the crypto markets, investors are watching how this monetary stance affects digital assets. $WCT Coin, a recent breakout in DeFi circles, and $WIF , a memecoin with growing trading volume, have seen renewed interest as rate uncertainty fuels speculative bets. $XRP , often touted as a bridge currency for cross-border payments, could benefit from increased attention if traditional financial systems remain under pressure.

With no clear rate cuts on the horizon, crypto could continue acting as both a hedge and a high-volatility trade—especially as markets adjust to Powell’s cautious tone.