Federal Reserve holds policy steady as it balances growth and inflation concerns

Markets Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Federal Reserve holds policy steady as it balances 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 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%. 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. Market participants are also not expecting the Fed to cut rates at its next meeting on April 29, with the CME FedWatch Tool indicating a 97% probability that rates will remain unchanged. Only one additional rate cut is currently priced in by the end of the year. 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 News Federal 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' By Omkar Godbole | Edited by Aoyon Ashraf 51 minutes ago 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 The era of cheap money is over as the Iran war creates a permanent 'inflation floor' 51 minutes ago Crypto Long & Short: When price stops working, yield starts mattering 1 hour ago The Protocol: Ethereum community debates foundation’s new mandate document 2 hours ago Former Binance CEO CZ waves off accusations on Iran, terror ties 2 hours ago Trump-linked American Bitcoin's BTC holdings overtake Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital 2 hours ago Crypto exchange Kraken freezes multibillion-dollar IPO plan due to difficult market conditions 2 hours ago Top Stories Key U.S. senator on crypto market structure bill negotiation: 'We think we've got it' 2 hours ago Traders can now bet on the S&P 500 around the clock without ever touching a traditional stock exchange 2 hours ago Bitcoin quickly pulls back to $71,000 as Iran fears team up with poor U.S. inflation data 5 hours ago U.S. SEC issues first-ever definitions for what crypto assets are securities 21 hours ago Powell's comments on oil, inflation are likely to guide bitcoin traders 6 hours ago UK lawmakers urge ‘immediate moratorium’ on crypto political donations 6 hours ago