FED HOLDS RATES STEADY AS 3 OFFICIALS PUSH FOR HIKE
The FOMC voted 9-3 to hold rates at 3.5%-3.75% despite three officials favoring a hike, citing Middle East energy shocks keeping inflation above the 2% target even as the economy expands. Bitcoin and ether both ticked up about 1% (to roughly $64,250 and $1,915) with little reaction to the decision as analysts said geopolitical risk is limiting crypto's upside even as improving conditions support risk assets medium-term.