Federal Reserve officials are signaling they won't be shifting gears anytime soon. The reasoning is straightforward: inflation remains stubbornly elevated. This matters more than you'd think for anyone holding crypto or watching the markets. When central banks maintain a restrictive stance, it keeps downward pressure on risk assets. Higher rates and tighter liquidity mean less capital flowing into speculative plays. Expect this narrative to persist as long as price pressures don't cool off meaningfully. For traders and investors tracking macro trends, the Fed's hawkish posture is a critical backdrop.