Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP Drop as CPI Hits 3.7%, Beats Forecasts

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP Drop After Higher-Than-Expected CPI Data

Crypto price talk took a new turn on Wednesday. Hotter US inflation data hit the market, and prices slid across the board.

Bitcoin fell from $83,000 into the low $81,000s. Ethereum dropped below $2,400. XRP slipped near $1.30.

Below is what caused the drop, plus the price levels traders watch next for each token.

Why Is Crypto Down Today After the CPI Report?

The trigger was the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Inflation rose from 3.4% to 3.7% year over year in September. Economists expected 3.6%.

Core CPI came in at 2.6%, which also beat forecasts. A popular crypto post said headline CPI hit a 4-month high and core CPI a 3-month high.

The same post pointed to a weak US job market. Rising prices and soft hiring leave the Fed in a tough spot. It named Kevin Warsh as the person under pressure.

Higher inflation makes rate cuts harder, so traders sell risky assets. Crypto is often one of them.

The global crypto market cap fell 3.38% in 24 hours to $2.71 trillion.

Will the Fed Raise Interest Rates in October 2026?

The Fed's current target range is 3.75% to 4.00%. CME FedWatch shows a 70.7% chance of no change at the October 28 meeting.

The chance of a hike is 29.3%. It was 22.1% a day ago and 17.7% a week ago. Hike bets grew after the CPI print.

Another report put a December quarter-point cut at 62.2%. These odds can shift with every new data release, and they shape any crypto price prediction.

How Many Crypto Traders Were Liquidated Today?

Total liquidations reached $972.51 million in 24 hours, per CoinGlass. A total of 182,596 traders were hit.

Longs took $891.76 million, or 91.7%. Shorts lost $80.75 million.

Ethereum led at $292.81 million, then Bitcoin at $203.01 million. Other coins added $149.91 million. Solana saw $32.94 million and XRP $14.55 million.

Binance made up 53.1% of the total. The largest single order was a $12.03 million BTCUSDT long at $80,208.96.

Is the Crypto Market Fearful or Greedy Right Now?

The Fear and Greed Index sits at 53, a Neutral reading. It was 62 yesterday, 64 last week, and 69 last month.

All three older readings were in the Greed zone. Mood has cooled fast, and traders look more careful. That matters for any price prediction.

Are Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs Seeing Outflows?

Yes. On October 14, Bitcoin ETFs lost $261.46 million, and Ethereum ETFs lost $129.51 million.

XRP and Zcash ETFs saw small inflows, which helps the XRP price prediction. Weak ETH flows weigh on the Ethereum price prediction. Bitcoin ETFs still hold $104.83 billion in assets, with $56.98 billion in total net inflows.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Will BTC Go Up or Down Next?

Some analysts compare the 2026 chart with 2023. In 2023, BTC broke out of a range and rallied from about $24,000 to above $30,000.

The analysis says 2026 shows a similar breakout from the $82,000 to $87,000 zone, with $100,000 as the big target. One Ali Charts post marks BTC at $83,836 and tracks the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Today's price sits just under that zone.

If support holds, the next targets are $92,000, then $100,000 to $105,000. If BTC loses $77,000, a drop toward $69,000 is possible.

This Bitcoin price prediction is a chart view, not a promise. Inflation data and ETF flows can change it fast.

Ethereum Price Prediction: Can ETH Reach $3,000?

ETH bounced from the $1,500 to $1,600 zone, near its old 2017 high. A chart from Merlijn The Trader shows four past bounces from that level.

They gained about 44%, 176%, 229%, and 236%. Past results do not guarantee the next one.

In this Ethereum price prediction, the first targets are $3,000 to $3,500. Then comes $4,000 to $4,800. A strong bull run could point to $5,500 to $5,800 by 2027 or 2028.

ETH must hold $1,500, or this Ethereum price prediction weakens. With ETF outflows and $292.81 million in liquidations, buyers still have work to do.

XRP Price Prediction: Will XRP Rebound From $1.25?

On the hourly chart, XRP trades inside a parallel channel, per Ali Charts. The lower edge is near $1.25.

The analyst says XRP could dip there first. That is where the analyst watches for a buy.

A bounce could target $1.42 at mid-range, then $1.60 at the top of the channel. This XRP price prediction has one bright spot: XRP ETFs saw inflows while others bled. A break under $1.25 would weaken this XRP price prediction.

What Should Crypto Traders Watch Next?

The October 28 Fed meeting is the key date for any direction. Changes in hike odds can move prices again.

ETF flows come next. Steady outflows hint at weak demand. A return to inflows could ease the pressure.

Disclaimer

This article is for information only and is not financial, investment, or trading advice. Crypto assets are very volatile, and you can lose all your money. Price predictions are opinions based on charts and past data, not guarantees. Do your own research and speak with a licensed financial advisor before you invest.