The "Money Printer" is officially under fire. In a move that has sent shockwaves through both Wall Street and the digital asset space, U.S. federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
This isn't just a headline—it's a fundamental challenge to the independence of the world's reserve currency.
THE ALPHA ON THE INVESTIGATION:
The Charge: U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro (D.C.) is investigating whether Powell misled Congress regarding the $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed’s headquarters.
The Subpoenas: Grand jury subpoenas were served on Friday, Jan 9, 2026.
The Defense: In a defiant video statement released Sunday (Jan 11), Powell called the probe a "pretext" and "intimidation" for the Fed's refusal to slash interest rates at the President's demand.
MARKET REACTIONS IN REAL-TIME:
Gold & BTC: Hard assets are catching a massive bid as trust in the Fed’s autonomy erodes. Gold has already hit new ATHs this week.
Prediction Markets: * Kalshi: Exit probability for Powell has spiked to 19%.
Polymarket: Massive volume on "Will Powell be charged before his term ends in May 2026?"
Volatility: The VIX is "loading," and bond markets are showing signs of deep uncertainty.
THE BOTTOM LINE FOR CRYPTO:
If the Fed Chair can be targeted with criminal charges over policy-adjacent decisions, the "Independence" of the USD is effectively over. This is the exact "institutional instability" narrative that fuels the bull case for decentralized assets.
"This is about whether monetary policy will be directed by evidence... or by political pressure." — Jerome Powell, Jan 11, 2026.
⚠️ Stay Hedged. The road to May 2026 just got a lot more volatile.
#powell #Fed #DOJ #CryptoNews #BTC
