Markets Share Share this article Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail Federal Reserve holds policy steady as Iran Markets Share Share this article Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail Federal Reserve holds policy steady as Iran

Federal Reserve holds policy steady as Iran war adds to growth and inflation concerns

2026/03/19 01:59
4 min read
For feedback or concerns regarding this content, please contact us at [email protected]
Share
Share this article
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail

Federal Reserve holds policy steady as Iran war adds to growth and inflation concerns

Bitcoin remained sharply lower for the session following the expected decision by the U.S. central bank.

By James Van Straten|Edited by Stephen Alpher
Updated Mar 18, 2026, 6:12 p.m. Published Mar 18, 2026, 5:59 p.m.
Make us preferred on Google

What to know:

  • As expected, the Federal Reserve left its benchmark fed funds rate range unchanged at 3.50%-3.75%.
  • Bitcoin remained sharply lower on the session, trading at $71,600.
  • Chairman Jerome Powell's post-meeting press conference begins at 2:30 PM ET.

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark fed funds rate range steady at 3.50%-3.75% on Wednesday, as expected.

Down nearly 4% ahead of the anticipated decision following a surge in oil prices and poor inflation data earlier on Wednesday, bitcoin remained sharply lower at $71,600 in the moments following the news.

U.S. stocks remain lower for the day, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 each down by 0.55%. The 10-year Treasury yield remains higher by a tick at 4.21%.

"The implications of developments in the Middle East for the U.S. economy are uncertain," said the central bank in its accompanying statement.

The vote to hold policy steady was 11-1, with Stephen Miran voting to trim rates by 25 basis points.

The Fed also updated its economic projections. Of particular note was a sizable rise in inflation expectations — now seen at 2.7% for 2026 versus 2.4% previously. Inflation, however, is expected to drop to 2.2% in 2027 against 2.1% projected earlier.

The so-called "dot plot" continues to show expectations for one 25-basis-point rate cut in 2026 and one more in 2027.

The U.S. central bank must balance what appears to be a slowing employment market with inflation that remains well above its 2% target. Adding to that is the March attack against Iran, which has sent the price of oil to nearly $100 per barrel versus less than $60 earlier this year.

Investors will now turn their attention to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s post-meeting press conference at 2:30 pm ET for further insight into the central bank’s outlook.

Bitcoin NewsFederal Open Market Committee (FOMC)Breaking News

More For You

The era of cheap money is over as the Iran war creates a permanent 'inflation floor'

The Iran war is creating a permanent inflation floor that could end the era of cheap money and expose the fragility of global energy markets.

What to know:

  • The Iran war has exposed the fragility of global energy markets, raising the risk that oil shocks and supply disruptions will keep inflation structurally higher for years.
  • As countries pivot toward energy security and self-reliance, experts warn of de-globalized energy markets, higher costs, slower innovation and the use of energy as a geopolitical weapon.
  • Persistently higher inflation could limit central banks' ability to cut rates and inject liquidity, capping returns and increasing volatility across stocks, bonds, crypto and other assets.
Read full story
Latest Crypto News

Kalshi co-founder fights back against Arizona’s ‘overstep’ in what a lawyer calls a federal-state turf war

The era of cheap money is over as the Iran war creates a permanent 'inflation floor'

Crypto Long & Short: When price stops working, yield starts mattering

The Protocol: Ethereum community debates foundation’s new mandate document

Former Binance CEO CZ waves off accusations on Iran, terror ties

Trump-linked American Bitcoin's BTC holdings overtake Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital

Top Stories

Crypto exchange Kraken freezes multibillion-dollar IPO plan due to difficult market conditions

Key U.S. senator on crypto market structure bill negotiation: 'We think we've got it'

Traders can now bet on the S&P 500 around the clock without ever touching a traditional stock exchange

Bitcoin quickly pulls back to $71,000 as Iran fears team up with poor U.S. inflation data

U.S. SEC issues first-ever definitions for what crypto assets are securities

Powell's comments on oil, inflation are likely to guide bitcoin traders

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact [email protected] for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.
Tags:

You May Also Like

Ethereum spot ETFs had a total net outflow of $1.8898 million yesterday, with Fidelity FETH leading the way with a net outflow of $29.1892 million.

Ethereum spot ETFs had a total net outflow of $1.8898 million yesterday, with Fidelity FETH leading the way with a net outflow of $29.1892 million.

PANews reported on September 18 that according to SoSoValue data, the total net outflow of Ethereum spot ETF was US$1.8898 million yesterday (September 17, US Eastern Time). The Ethereum spot ETF with the largest single-day net inflow yesterday was Blackrock ETF ETHA, with a single-day net inflow of US$25.8636 million. The current historical total net inflow of ETHA has reached US$13.255 billion. The second is Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF ETH, with a single-day net inflow of US$6.382 million. The current historical total net inflow of ETH has reached US$1.431 billion. The Ethereum spot ETF with the largest single-day net outflow yesterday was the Fidelity ETF FETH, with a single-day net outflow of US$29.1892 million. The current historical total net inflow of FETH has reached US$2.768 billion. As of press time, the total net asset value of the Ethereum spot ETF was US$29.719 billion, the ETF net asset ratio (market value as a percentage of Ethereum's total market value) reached 5.47%, and the historical cumulative net inflow has reached US$13.659 billion.
Share
PANews2025/09/18 11:54
Michael Saylor Pushes Digital Capital Narrative At Bitcoin Treasuries Unconference

Michael Saylor Pushes Digital Capital Narrative At Bitcoin Treasuries Unconference

The post Michael Saylor Pushes Digital Capital Narrative At Bitcoin Treasuries Unconference appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The suitcoiners are in town.  From a low-key, circular podium in the middle of a lavish New York City event hall, Strategy executive chairman Michael Saylor took the mic and opened the Bitcoin Treasuries Unconference event. He joked awkwardly about the orange ties, dresses, caps and other merch to the (mostly male) audience of who’s-who in the bitcoin treasury company world.  Once he got onto the regular beat, it was much of the same: calm and relaxed, speaking freely and with confidence, his keynote was heavy on the metaphors and larger historical stories. Treasury companies are like Rockefeller’s Standard Oil in its early years, Michael Saylor said: We’ve just discovered crude oil and now we’re making sense of the myriad ways in which we can use it — the automobile revolution and jet fuel is still well ahead of us.  Established, trillion-dollar companies not using AI because of “security concerns” make them slow and stupid — just like companies and individuals rejecting digital assets now make them poor and weak.  “I’d like to think that we understood our business five years ago; we didn’t.”  We went from a defensive investment into bitcoin, Saylor said, to opportunistic, to strategic, and finally transformational; “only then did we realize that we were different.” Michael Saylor: You Come Into My Financial History House?! Jokes aside, Michael Saylor is very welcome to the warm waters of our financial past. He acquitted himself honorably by invoking the British Consol — though mispronouncing it, and misdating it to the 1780s; Pelham’s consolidation of debts happened in the 1750s and perpetual government debt existed well before then — and comparing it to the gold standard and the future of bitcoin. He’s right that Strategy’s STRC product in many ways imitates the consols; irredeemable, perpetual debt, issued at par, with…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 02:12
Trump White House Registers Aliens.gov—Is the UFO File Drop Imminent?

Trump White House Registers Aliens.gov—Is the UFO File Drop Imminent?

The post Trump White House Registers Aliens.gov—Is the UFO File Drop Imminent? appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. In brief The White House registered aliens.gov
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/03/19 05:33