Why Was Crypto Up on 14 January 2026? Trump's Fed Comments and What Followed

Update 26 September 2026: The bet behind this rally did not pay off. Powell was indeed replaced: President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh at the end of January, the Senate confirmed him on 13 May by 54 votes to 45, and Warsh was sworn in as Fed chair on 22 May 2026. But instead of the cheap money traders hoped for, the Federal Reserve raised its target range by a quarter point to 3.75% to 4% on 16 September 2026, according to the FOMC statement. The January report follows as a dated snapshot.

If you want to buy Bitcoin today, our comparison of Bitcoin providers shows where and at what cost.

What happened after the Trump rally of 14 January?

Bitcoin, quoted below at $95,064 and "nearing $100,000", peaked the next day at about $96,900 (CoinGecko daily data) and never reached the mark in 2026. The whole top five of the table is lower today:

How Warsh's appointment was read in the crypto market is covered in our article on Kevin Warsh as Fed chair and Bitcoin, and the reaction to the September hike in 3 reasons crypto is holding strong after the Fed hike. Current levels are in our Bitcoin price prediction.

The report from 14 January 2026

Trump’s Attack on "Jerk" Powell Triggers Market Frenzy

The digital asset market is seeing a sea of green today, January 14, 2026, as investors react to explosive comments made by President Donald Trump. Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, the President doubled down on his long-standing feud with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

In a move that has sent the crypto news cycle into overdrive, Trump referred to Powell as a "jerk" and explicitly stated that the Fed Chair "will be gone soon." This rhetoric, combined with ongoing reports of a DOJ probe into the central bank's leadership, has convinced traders that a more "dovish" Fed, one that prioritizes lower interest rates, is on the horizon.

The "Lower Rates" Catalyst: Why It Matters for Crypto

The connection between Trump’s speech and the current price action lies in the mechanics of monetary policy. Trump has consistently pressured the Fed to slash interest rates to stimulate economic growth.3 If Powell is replaced by a chair willing to "open the valve," the impact on $Bitcoin and other digital assets would be monumental.

• Cheap Capital: Lower rates reduce the cost of borrowing, injecting massive liquidity into the financial system.4 This "easy money" historically flows into high-beta assets like crypto.
• The Dollar Debasement Trade: Aggressive rate cuts often weaken the U.S. Dollar.6 Investors view Bitcoin as a "hard money" hedge against a devaluing fiat currency.
• Shift to Risk Assets: When yields on traditional bonds and savings accounts drop, institutional and retail investors shift their focus to riskier, higher-reward sectors like DeFi and Altcoins.

To stay ahead of this volatility, make sure you are using the right platform by checking our exchange comparison page.

Crypto Up Today: Top 10 Cryptos Performance (Jan 14)

The data from the last 24 hours shows a significant breakout across the board. The "Trump Bump" has pushed several tokens to multi-month highs.

Bitcoin (BTC) is leading the charge, nearing the elusive $100,000 mark as shorts are liquidated. Ethereum (ETH) is outperforming many of its peers with a 6% gain, driven by renewed interest in Layer 2 scaling and DeFi yields. Meanwhile, Solana (SOL) continues its dominance as the fastest-growing major ecosystem, holding strong above $140.

Don't Leave Your Gains on the Exchange

While the rally is exciting, the political uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve can lead to sharp, unexpected corrections. It is vital to manage your risk and secure your funds.

If you've seen a significant increase in your portfolio today, consider moving your assets to a secure offline environment. Our hardware wallets comparison can help you choose the best device to protect your crypto from exchange risks.