According to a recent Santiment report, U.S. economic policy continues to cast a long shadow over the crypto landscape in 2025.
From Federal Reserve decisions to Congressional spending battles, nearly every move from Washington now holds the potential to ripple through digital asset markets. But it’s not just the decisions themselves — investor sentiment and confidence around these events are playing an equally critical role.
On June 18, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell confirmed that the central bank would keep interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.50%, signaling a continued wait-and-see stance on inflation and broader economic conditions. While many crypto investors had priced in this outcome, the lack of a clear path toward rate cuts left markets wanting more.
The immediate market reaction was subdued. Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) held relatively stable, reflecting expectations already baked in. However, the absence of dovish language offered little for bulls hoping for a spark. According to Santiment, even this type of “non-event” carries weight — it reinforces the narrative of policy stagnation, with traders growing increasingly sensitive to hints of change.
While BTC and ETH remain comparatively resilient, Santiment notes that altcoins such as Solana (SOL) and Tron (TRX) — often buoyed by speculative activity and meme coin sentiment — are more likely to react sharply to shifts in macroeconomic expectations. These tokens could benefit most from any dovish pivot later in the year, especially if inflation continues to ease and Powell signals flexibility.
Santiment describes the current climate as one driven by low expectations and muted reactions. Powell’s neutral tone avoided triggering a sell-off, and with political pressure — including criticism from President Trump — mounting, traders are watching for cracks in the Fed’s resolve.
If monetary tightening persists without a clear exit timeline, the report warns, market fatigue could set in. However, any credible signal of a future rate cut could catalyze a rally — especially in risk-on assets across the crypto spectrum.
