What Is the FOMC? FOMC Meeting Schedule 2026–2027
Author: Crypffalo Research · 22:49 23/10/2026
The FOMC sets US interest rates. Who sits on it, when it meets, what the dot plot is, the 2026–2027 meeting schedule, and how Bitcoin and altcoins tend to react.
The FOMC is the committee of the US Federal Reserve that sets the policy interest rate. It meets 8 times a year, and decision night is often when Bitcoin and altcoins make their biggest intraday moves.
At its 16 September 2026 meeting, the Fed raised rates by 0.25 percentage point to 3.75–4%, its first hike since July 2023. The next meeting ends on 28 October 2026, with the decision at 2:00 pm ET.
Quick summary
- Who: 12 voting members: 7 Fed governors, the New York Fed president and 4 rotating regional Fed presidents.
- How often: 8 meetings a year, 4 of them with economic projections and a dot plot.
- Announcement time: 2:00 pm US Eastern time, press conference at 2:30 pm.
- Why crypto cares: rates move the US dollar and money flowing into risk assets.
- What matters: the result versus expectations, not the number alone.
What is the FOMC?
The FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) is the part of the Fed that sets the target for the federal funds rate, the rate banks charge each other overnight.
That rate feeds into mortgage rates, bond yields and the value of the dollar. So every FOMC decision touches stocks, gold and crypto.
See the short definition in the crypto glossary: FOMC.
Who votes on the FOMC?
- 7 governors of the Fed Board, including the Fed Chair. The current Chair is Kevin Warsh, who took office in May 2026.
- The New York Fed president, who always votes.
- 4 regional Fed presidents, rotating each year among the other 11 regional banks.
Non-voting presidents still attend and speak. Their speeches appear in the economic calendar because they can move markets.
How an FOMC meeting works
- Two days: usually Tuesday and Wednesday.
- 2:00 pm ET on day two: rate decision and policy statement.
- 2:30 pm ET: the Chair's press conference.
- About 3 weeks later: the minutes, showing what members debated.
At 4 meetings a year (March, June, September, December), the Fed also publishes its Summary of Economic Projections and the dot plot. Each dot is one member's expected rate for a given year.
FOMC meeting schedule 2026 and 2027
| Year | Meeting dates | Decision | Dot plot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27–28 Oct | 28 Oct, 2:00 pm ET | No |
| 2026 | 8–9 Dec | 9 Dec, 2:00 pm ET | Yes |
| 2027 | 26–27 Jan | 27 Jan | No |
| 2027 | 16–17 Mar | 17 Mar | Yes |
| 2027 | 27–28 Apr | 28 Apr | No |
| 2027 | 8–9 Jun | 9 Jun | Yes |
| 2027 | 27–28 Jul | 28 Jul | No |
| 2027 | 14–15 Sep | 15 Sep | Yes |
| 2027 | 26–27 Oct | 27 Oct | No |
| 2027 | 7–8 Dec | 8 Dec | Yes |
The 2027 dates are tentative. The economic calendar counts down to every meeting.
Why crypto moves on FOMC night
- Higher rates: cash and bonds pay more and the dollar tends to strengthen. Risk assets like crypto often come under pressure.
- Lower rates: cheaper money tends to flow toward risk assets.
- Expectations beat numbers: if markets already expect a 0.25 point hike, getting exactly that may barely move price. Surprises cause the swings.
- Two waves: at 2:00 pm when the statement drops, and at 2:30 pm during the press conference. Price can reverse between them.
- Leverage: many traders add leverage before the decision, so a sharp move can trigger a liquidation cascade. Watch it live on crypto liquidations.
What to read in the statement and dot plot
- The decision: hike, cut or hold, and how many members dissented.
- The wording: phrases about "further adjustments" or "patience" hint at the next meetings.
- The dot plot: the median shows how many moves the Fed expects. In September 2026 the median pointed to one more 0.25 point hike before year-end.
- The press conference: answers on inflation and jobs often flip price direction quickly.
FAQ
What time is the FOMC decision?
2:00 pm US Eastern time on the second meeting day, with the press conference at 2:30 pm.
Does Bitcoin always fall when the Fed hikes?
No. If the hike was expected, price may move sideways or even rise. What matters is the decision and the Chair's tone versus expectations.
Is there a dot plot at every meeting?
No. Only at the March, June, September and December meetings.
For information only, not financial advice.
Tags: FOMC, Fed, Interest rates, Macro, Bitcoin, Dot plot
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