Bitcoin fell below $79,000 on Aug. 27, 2026, while XRP led losses among major tokens as traders repriced the odds of a Federal Reserve interest-rate hike and reduced exposure to risk assets. The move was a broad risk-off (market-wide move away from risky assets) episode, rather than a reaction to an isolated crypto catalyst, according to CoinDesk. XRP’s sharper decline highlighted stress in the altcoin (cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin) market, where higher-beta assets often amplify macro-driven moves. Traders are now watching whether Bitcoin can reclaim and hold $79,000, whether selling spreads across other altcoins, and whether incoming inflation data and Federal Reserve communication strengthen or weaken the rate-hike case. The market response remains tied to expectations and positioning, leaving room for reversal if the policy outlook changes.