The Federal Reserve's latest meeting minutes reveal that several policymakers are open to further interest rate hikes if inflation remains above the 2% target. While no immediate action was announced, the discussion highlights the Fed's readiness to tighten monetary policy if necessary. Officials noted that although inflation has cooled from previous highs, persistent price pressures in certain sectors could warrant additional measures to maintain price stability. The potential for renewed rate hikes introduces uncertainty for financial markets. Higher interest rates typically lead to tighter financial conditions, increasing borrowing costs and potentially slowing economic growth. This could impact equity markets negatively and lead to higher bond yields. Crypto markets, sensitive to monetary policy shifts, may also experience volatility as traders watch for upcoming inflation data to gauge the Fed's next move. The Fed emphasized that future decisions will be data-driven, focusing on inflation, labor market strength, and consumer spending trends.