Bitcoin’s price experienced significant volatility ahead of and after the Federal Reserve’s March 2026 meeting. The cryptocurrency dropped by $5,000 in anticipation but recovered toward $72,000 after the Fed announced it would keep interest rates unchanged, citing heightened risks from Middle East conflict.
Bitcoin’s price tumbled before the news went out but staged a minor recovery. The United States Federal Reserve kept the key interest rates unchanged for the second consecutive time in 2026.
BTC already experienced some volatility in the hours leading up to the second FOMC meeting of the year. It dropped by $5,000 at one point but bounced toward $72,000 since the news went out.
America’s central bank maintained the federal funding rate in the current range between 3.50% and 3.75%. Experts noted before the announcement that the likely justification is the war that began in the Middle East, which has immediately impacted oil prices.
“The conflict with Iran has dramatically altered the backdrop to the March Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and significantly increases the risks to inflation and the economy,” commented Oxford Economics’ chief US economist, Michael Pearce. Bitcoin’s price reacted immediately to the news, even though it was expected.
The asset had lost $5,000 earlier today in the hours leading up to the second FOMC meeting of the year. It bounced to $72,000 after the Fed’s decision went live.
