Bitcoin and ethereum prices fell in early Tuesday trading as market expectations for a Federal Reserve rate increase surged ahead of the central bank's two-day meeting. The slide comes after both assets opened higher on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, but failed to sustain those gains amid rising pressure from interest rate forecasts.
Bitcoin (BTC-USD) opened at $78,181.33, a 1.8% increase over Monday's opening price. By 7:24 a.m. ET, however, the price had dropped to $76,931.56. Ethereum (ETH-USD) followed a similar pattern, opening at $2,515.17, up 1.6% from Monday, before sliding to $2,480.37 at the same time.
The recent decline contrasts with a broader rally that had lifted crypto prices as fears surrounding artificial intelligence swept through other market sectors. That momentum has now reversed in early trading due to the imminent Fed decision. The CME Group's FedWatch tool indicates a 92.5% probability that the Fed will raise rates following tomorrow's meeting. This figure has climbed sharply from 86.5% on Monday and 69.4% on Friday.
Investors are also weighing external economic factors that complicate the price outlook. Ongoing conflict with Iran continues to drive energy prices higher, which in turn has elevated expectations for a rate increase tomorrow. These combined pressures have made it difficult for cryptocurrencies like bitcoin to sustain their recent upward trajectory.
Despite the morning slide, the longer-term performance metrics for both assets remain mixed. Bitcoin's opening price this Tuesday is 1.2% lower than it was one week ago, but it stands 24.1% higher than one month ago and 32.3% lower than one year ago. The asset remains well below its all-time high of $128,198.07, recorded on October 6, 2025.
Ethereum shows a similar volatility profile relative to its historical highs and lows. Its Tuesday opening price is 1% higher than a week ago and 33.7% higher than a month ago, though it is down 45.4% from a year prior. Ethereum's all-time high stands at $4,953.73, set on August 24, 2025.
For investors, the distinction between the Ethereum blockchain and its native currency, ether (ETH), remains a practical consideration. While ether is significantly more volatile than the S&P 500 for many holders, it is increasingly viewed as a foundational component of digital portfolios rather than a speculative outlier. Strategies range from short-term trading to staking, where users lock up ETH to help run the network in exchange for yield.