Bitcoin has fallen below $81,000 amid renewed uncertainty over Federal Reserve interest rate policy following stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation data. September CPI rose to 3.7% annually, causing prediction markets to briefly price in a nearly 50% chance of an October rate hike before odds retreated to approximately 26% on the CME FedWatch tool. Institutional demand remains fragile as U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $150.5 million in net outflows on October 14, reversing the previous day's $175.7 million inflow. Market makers warn that ambiguity surrounding the next FOMC decision is damaging liquidity and dampening risk appetite across asset classes, with digital assets showing increased sensitivity to macro factors including fixed-income volatility and energy shocks.