The market awaits the Fed's decision, Bitcoin trades sideways near its peak, while US stocks, gold, and oil experience low volatility fluctuations.

March 18th The Middle East situation remained deadlocked overnight and into Tuesday, with investors digesting the inflationary impact of elevated oil prices and shifting focus to the upcoming Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate decision. U.S. stocks, gold, and oil traded in narrow ranges, while U.S. Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar both declined. Bitcoin, however, failed to extend its strong momentum from Monday, trading sideways around $74,000. Per Bitget market data: - U.S. major indices closed slightly higher: S&P 500 up 0.25%, Nasdaq Composite up 0.47%, Dow Jones Industrial Average nearly unchanged. - Energy stocks gained across the board, with Exxon Mobil rising 1%. - Most crypto-related stocks advanced: MicroStrategy (MSTR) up 1.87%, Bitfarms (BMNR) down 0.68%, Circle (CRCL) adding 5.15% to break above $130. Per HTX market data: Bitcoin once again failed to breach $75,000, retreating to $73,980.53. The Fed will announce its interest rate decision at 2 a.m. Beijing time Wednesday. Market participants fully price in no rate change, with focus on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments at the post-decision press conference—especially his take on the Fed’s rate trajectory amid the Iran situation.