Bitcoin and gold both fell after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell struck a hawkish tone, signaling that interest rate cuts may be delayed. His comments stressing the need to keep monetary policy restrictive to combat inflation sparked a sell-off in risk assets and precious metals, with Bitcoin slipping below key support levels and gold pulling back from recent highs as the U.S. dollar strengthened. The moves reflect investor concern that higher-for-longer rates will tighten liquidity and reduce demand for non-yielding assets. Both Bitcoin and gold have historically been sensitive to Federal Reserve policy shifts, with tighter conditions often producing short-term price weakness even though the assets are sometimes viewed as hedges against currency debasement. Traders face heightened volatility and are watching upcoming inflation and employment data for clues to the Fed’s next step, while analysts caution that further downside is possible if the central bank maintains its stance.