Haciyev Reşit 
The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown after the House of Representatives failed to pass a funding vote before the budget deadline. This development has disrupted operations at some federal agencies and temporarily furloughed public employees without pay. The uncertainty affects not only Washington’s political agenda but also global financial markets and cryptocurrency investors. In particular, with risk perception rising, markets are showing a cautious outlook.
Why Did the U.S. Government Enter a Partial Shutdown?
According to official statements, the U.S. Senate approved the H.R. 7148 spending bill with a 71–29 vote. The bill covers 11 out of 12 annual spending measures, providing funding for most federal agencies through September 2026. This step is intended as a temporary funding solution to allow the majority of government operations to continue without interruption. However, the House of Representatives went on recess without voting on the bill before the budget deadline. This caused some departments to miss necessary funding and led to a partial, rather than full, government shutdown. The situation is expected to remain uncertain until the House reconvenes.
At the center of the funding impasse are immigration policies. Democrats opposed giving the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlimited authority over deportations and did not approve full-year funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). To keep negotiations alive, Senate leaders and the White House agreed to remove DHS funding from the main package. The Office of Management and Budget announced that the House is not expected to reconvene until February 2, 2026, and the shutdown could last several days.
Which Agencies Are Affected by the Partial Shutdown?
Due to the funding delay, non-essential personnel at several departments—including Homeland Security, Labor, Education, State, and Justice—were furloughed or allowed to work only with limited responsibilities. This has slowed administrative processes, caused delays in approvals and applications, and temporarily disrupted some public services.
Critical functions such as national security, air traffic control, and emergency services continue to operate without interruption. Authorities emphasize that services directly affecting public safety are exempt from the shutdown. They warn that if the partial shutdown is prolonged, the impact on public services could become more pronounced and disruptions could increase.
Implications for Markets and Crypto
Historically, government shutdowns raise risk perception in markets. During the last full shutdown, Bitcoin lost approximately 10–12% of its value. In the current partial shutdown, Bitcoin has remained relatively stable around $83,000, with movement so far below 2%. However, historical data suggest that if the shutdown continues and political negotiations stall, Bitcoin volatility could increase by 5–10%. As a result, investors are closely monitoring the duration of the shutdown and the progress of negotiations in Washington.
Although the U.S. partial government shutdown has had a limited short-term impact on markets so far, uncertainty persists. If the shutdown is prolonged, volatility is likely to rise in both traditional and cryptocurrency markets. Bitcoin investors, in particular, are advised to remain cautious regarding political developments and macroeconomic risks.
You can also freely share your thoughts and comments about the topic in the comment section. Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on our Telegram, YouTube, and Twitter channels for the latest news and updates.