Officials of the Federal Reserve recently lost access to employment data from ADP, the Washington Post reported on Oct. 22.
Since the central bank is already unable to receive key economic data in the U.S. due to the ongoing government shutdown, the loss of ADP jobs data would make it even more difficult for it to make policy decisions regarding interest rates.
The uncertainty fuelled the crypto markets to slump even further. The total crypto market cap fell to $3.65 trillion at press time, down 4.79% in the last 24 hours.
Related: What is Crypto? Cryptocurrency explained
Bitcoin slipped to $108,174.81 as it declined 3.87% in a day.
Ethereum fell even more by 4.26% to trade at $3,837.67. Solana also fell 5.35% to $183.58.
XRP fell 3.99% in a day and was trading at $2.39 at press time.
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Why this matters
The Fed's interest rate policy is a major factor behind the liquidity in the markets and the crypto markets are no different.
If the Fed slashes rates, it injects more liquidity into the market and is considered a bullish move. On the other hand, if the Fed doesn't lower rates or hikes them, then liquidity goes thin and it's considered a bearish sign.
When the Fed last lowered rates by 25 basis points in mid-September, the crypto market had already factored in the much-expected cut and didn't rally at all.
Now, the central bank has lost access to another set of key economic data and could find it even more difficult to make rate policy decisions. The Fed Chair Jerome Powell has already been facing relentless criticism from President Donald Trump who keeps asking to cut rates. He recently said,
"We have a real stiff at the Federal Reserve, rates are too high."
The next FOMC meeting is expected to take place on Oct. 28-29 and the market participants are curious as to what the Fed's next step will be.
Though the crypto market has already factored in no change to rates, uncertainty around data is worse for the economy.
This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Oct 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Investing section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
