Bitcoin Price Hits $81,432 Ahead of Fed Rate Decision
Bitcoin reached $81,432 (USD) on 28 October 2026, a 2.20% jump in one day, just before the US Federal Reserve reveals its rate decision. Wallet holders should pay attention, since rate moves and election-season patterns can both shift crypto prices quickly.
What actually happened
Bitcoin traded at $81,432 (USD), up 2.20% in 24 hours. It hit a high of $81,636 and a low of $79,732, according to CoinGecko data cited by CoinDesk. Trading volume reached $24.03 billion (USD). Market value stood at $1.64 trillion (USD). After the last three US midterm elections, bitcoin gained an average of 53.7% over the next year. The S&P 500 averaged 15.17% gains over similar periods since 1950. Galaxy's head of research, Alex Thorn, said the bear market 'likely ended in June.' Separately, treasury firm Datavault AI said it cannot withdraw $92.2 million (USD) in bitcoin held at exchange Biconomy since June.
How we got here
Bitcoin tends to move in four-year cycles tied to its halving, which cuts new coin supply by half. Past slow periods matched midterm years in 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. Bitcoin dropped below $60,000 (USD) in June 2026, then rose over 35% before this week. That overlap makes it unclear whether elections or the halving cycle drive the pattern. Miners are hedging regardless. Luxor Technology raised $16 million (USD) for its AI division. It plans to hire about 12 people by year end, Chief Operating Officer Ethan Vera told The Block.
Why this matters for you
For everyday wallet users, this is a reminder to know where coins actually sit. Datavault AI's locked funds show exchange balances differ from coins held in a personal wallet, the kind bonuz.market users control directly. A Fed rate hike often pulls money from risk assets like bitcoin, which could touch anyone holding crypto through a linked wallet or card. Builders in the bonuz ecosystem should weigh custody risk before adding any treasury-linked product.
The bigger question
Bitcoin has risen after each of the last three US midterm elections, but those years also matched halving-driven cycle lows. If bitcoin rallies again after 3 November 2026, can anyone separate the effect of politics from the effect of the mining cycle? For wallet users tracking price charts, that distinction may never become clear, no matter how convincing the next rally looks.
What to watch
US midterm elections take place on 3 November 2026. The Federal Reserve's rate decision and Chair Kevin Warsh's press conference follow shortly after, with markets watching for hints of a December move. Datavault AI is expected to publish restated financial results after this week's disclosure. Luxor Technology aims to finish its hiring plan by the end of 2026.
