{"id":23681,"date":"2026-03-24T02:09:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T02:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/24\/bitcoin-holds-74k-as-powell-prepares-to-speak-every-update-you-need\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T02:09:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T02:09:14","slug":"bitcoin-holds-74k-as-powell-prepares-to-speak-every-update-you-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/24\/bitcoin-holds-74k-as-powell-prepares-to-speak-every-update-you-need\/","title":{"rendered":"Bitcoin Holds $74K as Powell Prepares to Speak \u2014 Every Update You Need"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bitcoin (BTC) is trading around the $74,000 mark on March 18, as global financial markets tread cautiously ahead of Chairman Jerome Powell\u2019s speech at 2:30 PM ET, following the Federal Reserve\u2019s policy decision. Investors are closely monitoring Fed signals as macroeconomic factors continue to dominate the short-term trend of risk assets.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bitcoin_Range-Bound_Ahead_of_FOMC_Decision\"\/><b>Bitcoin Range-Bound Ahead of FOMC Decision<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bitcoin has been moving sideways within the <strong>$73,500\u2013$75,000 range<\/strong> after failing to sustain momentum above $75,000. The narrowing price range suggests the market is \u201cholding its breath\u201d for a clear macro catalyst.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_161567\" style=\"width: 2170px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-161567\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-161567\" src=\"https:\/\/nftevening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-18-at-14.54.00.jpg\" alt=\"BTC Price 1H Chart\" width=\"2160\" height=\"1394\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-161567\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">BTC Price 1H Chart. Source: Tradingview<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The focus is on the FOMC meeting taking place on March 17\u201318, 2026, with the interest rate decision announced at 2:00 PM ET on March 18, followed by <strong>Jerome Powell\u2019s press conference at 2:30 PM ET<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key events include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interest rate decision<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Economic projections (dot plot)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Policy guidance from Powell<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The market currently largely expects the Fed to hold rates steady, with the focus shifting to signals regarding the timing of future cuts. The FedWatch tool recorded a <strong>nearly<\/strong> <strong>99%<\/strong> probability of the Fed maintaining the current target rate (<strong>3.50% \u2013 3.75%<\/strong>), while the likelihood of a hike or cut remains negligible.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_161568\" style=\"width: 1738px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-161568\" class=\"size-full wp-image-161568\" src=\"https:\/\/nftevening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-18-at-19.32.58.png\" alt=\"About 99% odds Fed holds rates ahead of the Mar 18 meeting\" width=\"1728\" height=\"906\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-161568\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-161568\" src=\"https:\/\/nftevening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-18-at-19.32.58.png\" alt=\"About 99% odds Fed holds rates ahead of the Mar 18 meeting\" width=\"1728\" height=\"906\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-161568\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">About 99% odds Fed holds rates ahead of the Mar 18 meeting. Source: CME FedWatch Tool<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This indicates that the market is no longer focused on the rate decision itself but on the policy messaging. Any shift in Jerome Powell\u2019s tone \u2014 particularly regarding inflation, growth, or the timeline for easing \u2014 could serve as a catalyst for short-term Bitcoin volatility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Powells_Speech_Matters_for_Bitcoin\"\/><b>Why Powell\u2019s Speech Matters for Bitcoin<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Reserve policy directly impacts liquidity \u2014 a key factor for Bitcoin. When interest rates remain high, capital typically flows out of risk assets. Conversely, if signals of easing emerge, improved liquidity could drive demand for crypto.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Currently, the market is not just concerned with the rate decision, but specifically how Jerome Powell navigates:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Economic growth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potential for rate cuts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bitcoin often experiences high volatility immediately following Powell\u2019s press conference as macro expectations are rapidly adjusted.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Analyst_Market_Views_Ahead_of_Fed_Decision\"\/><b>Analyst &amp; Market Views Ahead of Fed Decision<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bitcoin is currently maintaining a sideways stance as the market has largely priced in the scenario of the Federal Reserve holding rates steady.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/us\/barclays-expects-fed-push-back-rate-cuts-inflation-worries-2026-03-13\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reuters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Barclays suggests that the start of <strong>rate cuts could be pushed back to September<\/strong> due to lingering inflationary pressures. This indicates that a high-interest-rate environment may last longer than expected, continuing to act as a headwind for risk assets like crypto in the short term.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/us\/barclays-expects-fed-push-back-rate-cuts-inflation-worries-2026-03-13\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Akshat Siddhant (Mudrex) also believes that since the \u201chold\u201d scenario is almost a certainty, the key factor lies in Jerome Powell\u2019s policy guidance. Should the Fed strike a more dovish tone, Bitcoin could have the opportunity to break above the <strong>key resistance level around $76,000<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, Riya Sehgal (Delta Exchange) noted that market sentiment has significantly improved, shifting from fear to neutral, reflecting a returning risk appetite. However, the current structure remains consolidative within an uptrend, with factors such as ETF inflows, macro signals, and technical breakouts playing a decisive role in the next direction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, the market is in a \u201ccompressed\u201d state ahead of a major macro catalyst, where the reaction following the Fed\u2019s message is likely to trigger the next big move for Bitcoin.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bullish_and_Bearish_Scenarios_Post-Fed_Decision\"\/><b>Bullish and Bearish Scenarios Post-Fed Decision<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bullish_Scenario\"\/><b>Bullish Scenario<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If Jerome Powell signals a more dovish stance than expected \u2014 such as acknowledging clear progress on inflation or leaving the door open for easing in upcoming meetings \u2014 Bitcoin could quickly regain its bullish momentum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <strong>$75,000\u2013$76,000 zone<\/strong> currently acts as the \u201cceiling\u201d of the short-term range. A strong breakout above this area could trigger new buying pressure and potentially a short-term FOMO effect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technically, the price structure continues to maintain a series of higher lows, indicating that underlying demand remains intact. If momentum is confirmed post-FOMC, Bitcoin could extend its rally toward the <strong>$80,000<\/strong> region or higher.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bearish_Scenario\"\/><b>Bearish Scenario<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conversely, the risk lies in the Federal Reserve maintaining a hawkish tone, especially if Jerome Powell emphasizes that it is too early to discuss rate cuts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of an immediate sharp drop, this scenario could lead to a gradual weakening of buying interest \u2014 something already reflected by repeated price rejections around $75,000\u2013$76,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If Bitcoin breaks its structure and <strong>falls below $72,000<\/strong>, the price could retreat to the $70,000 zone to find liquidity, with the risk of extending toward <strong>$68,000<\/strong> if risk-off sentiment intensifies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bitcoin is hovering near $74,000 just before the Federal Reserve\u2019s announcement, with the market entering a pivotal phase where Jerome Powell\u2019s remarks could define the short-term trend.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nftevening.com\/bitcoin-holds-74k-powell-speak-update-you-need\/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=bitcoin-holds-74k-powell-speak-update-you-need\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bitcoin (BTC) is trading around the $74,000 mark on March 18, as global financial markets tread cautiously ahead of Chairman Jerome Powell\u2019s speech at 2:30 PM ET, following the Federal Reserve\u2019s policy decision. Investors are closely monitoring Fed signals as macroeconomic factors continue to dominate the short-term trend of risk assets. Bitcoin Range-Bound Ahead of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23682,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[9],"tags":[21],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/nftevening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1803.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23681"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23681"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23681\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}