Things are heating up around the Federal Reserve's leadership. US authorities have opened an investigation into Chair Jerome Powell, specifically tied to the Fed headquarters renovation project. But Powell isn't taking it quietly. In his response, he made it clear this whole probe is nothing more than an attempt to undermine the Fed's operational independence—particularly its power to set interest rates according to economic conditions. The core issue here is crucial for markets: if the Fed loses its ability to make unilateral decisions on monetary policy, it would reshape how financial markets operate. For those tracking crypto volatility, keep in mind that Fed rate decisions ripple through the entire asset landscape, including digital currencies. Powell's stance signals the Fed will fight tooth and nail to preserve its policy autonomy.