Bitcoin and Ethereum are heading into a week where macro data could matter as much as the charts. Markets are pricing an 86.5% chance of a 25-basis-point Federal Reserve rate hike on September 16, a move that would take the target range from 3.50%-3.75% to 3.75%-4.00%.
August CPI held at 3.4% year over year, but core inflation rose 0.3% in the month, keeping pressure on policymakers. For crypto, higher rates can reduce appetite for risk assets, yet both BTC and ETH still have technical levels that could trigger a recovery.
The Bitcoin price is trying to rebuild above $76,000 after failing to hold $80,000, whereas Ethereum remains near $2,520 after testing $2,667 this week. Here is where both prices could go next.
What you'll learn 👉
Bitcoin Price Outlook: Can BTC Reclaim $80,000?
We had a look at the chart, and the immediate picture is mixed. Bitcoin is trading around $76,762, after falling from the $80,000 area and failing to hold the $78,000 level. The chart shows a series of lower highs since the early-September peak above $81,000, keeping sellers in control for now.
The key area is around $76,500-$77,000. That zone has acted as short-term support, and the Stochastic indicator is down near 19, which puts BTC close to oversold territory. The Ultimate Oscillator is also only around 40, showing that bullish momentum remains limited.
For the Bitcoin price to reclaim $80,000, BTC first needs to recover $78,000, then clear the $79,400-$80,500 resistance area. A move above $80,500 would open the door toward $82,000. If $76,500 fails, the next downside areas are around $75,500 and $74,500.
Ethereum Price Outlook: Can ETH Break Toward $3,000?
The chart shows a similar struggle. The ETH price briefly climbed above $2,510 before reversing lower, and subsequent rebounds failed to hold above $2,480 . The immediate resistance sits at $2,530, and reclaiming that level would put $2,600 and eventually the $2,800 zone in play .
For a push toward $3,000, Ethereum needs a decisive weekly close above $2,550, which has contained price for weeks . A failure to hold the $2,440-$2,460 support area would shift the bias lower, with $2,400 as the critical downside reference . Losing that level would put the $2,200s back in focus.
For the Ethereum price to move toward $3,000 this week, the first hurdle is $2,667. A break above that level could put $2,750 and then $2,900 in view. A move through $3,000 would require strong follow-through. If $2,430 breaks, however, the bullish case weakens considerably.
Related Ethereum News: 3 AI Models Predict Ethereum Price at the Peak of the Next Bull Run
How Wednesday’s Fed Decision Could Affect BTC and ETH
The Federal Reserve meets on September 15-16, with the rate decision scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, followed by the press conference.
The market is preparing for a 25-basis-point hike after August CPI remained at 3.4% year over year and core inflation increased 0.3% month over month. Reuters reported that markets were pricing an 85% chance of a September hike after the inflation report.
The important point for the Bitcoin price and Ethereum price may therefore be what the Fed says after the hike. If the increase is delivered as expected and policymakers leave the door open to fewer future hikes, crypto could recover as traders had already priced much of the move.
A hike paired with hawkish projections could create another wave of selling, especially if the BTC price loses $76,500 and ETH falls below $2,430. A surprise decision to leave rates unchanged would likely create the strongest immediate bullish reaction because it would challenge the market’s current positioning.
Bitcoin and Ethereum Price Prediction for This Week
For Bitcoin, the bullish path is a recovery above $78,000, followed by a break through $80,000-$80,500. That would put $82,000 within reach.
The base path is consolidation between roughly $76,500 and $79,500 as traders wait for the Fed. In this scenario, the BTC price may remain trapped below $80,000 through the decision.
The bearish path begins with a clean break below $76,500. That could send the Bitcoin price toward $75,500 and $74,500 before buyers attempt another recovery.
For Ethereum, the bullish path is a break above $2,667, followed by $2,750 and $2,900, with $3,000 becoming reachable if momentum remains strong.
The base path keeps the ETH price between $2,430 and $2,670. The bearish path comes if $2,430 fails, opening room toward $2,350-$2,360, a level Reuters identified as important support.
Overall, $80,000 for Bitcoin and $3,000 for Ethereum remain possible this week, but both levels require clear technical breaks and a Fed outcome that does not strengthen selling pressure.
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