Bitcoin began Monday trading 2% lower after failing to break $84,000, hovering around $83,300 in Asia. Major altcoins like XRP, SOL, ADA, and DOGE fell up to 5%, while BNB gained 3%. The crypto market has plateaued following last week’s sell-off triggered by U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty, fueling recession fears. Traders attribute the decline to the unwinding of multi-strategy hedge fund positions, yet bulls remain optimistic—viewing the dip as a buying opportunity amid anticipated altcoin volatility.

Changpeng Zhao (CZ) made headlines by purchasing $600 worth of MUBARAK Meme Coin—equivalent to 1 BNB. Following his investment and a Binance Alpha listing, MUBARAK’s market cap soared to $100 million, and one trader even netted $521K in profits. This move underscores how high-profile endorsements and exchange support can rapidly drive up the value of meme coins, reinforcing the influence of prominent figures like CZ in shaping market dynamics.

After 1.5 years of dormancy, a Bitcoin whale with $85.7M in profits has made a significant move. On August 18, 2023, the whale acquired 1,500 BTC from Cumberland at an average price of $26,353 (~$39.5M). Now, the whale is shifting its holdings: depositing 300 BTC ($25.1M) to FalconX at approximately $83,707, transferring 1,050 BTC ($87.2M) to two new wallets, while retaining 150 BTC ($12.5M) in the original wallet. Total profits on Bitcoin now stand at an overall staggering +219%.

The Fed is set to release its latest FOMC decision on March 19, with CME data indicating a 99% probability that interest rates will remain unchanged. Policymakers face the challenge of balancing slowing economic growth against persistent inflationary pressures. Additionally, they must factor in the uncertainties posed by potential tariff moves from President Trump. This cautious approach aims to maintain economic stability while keeping an eye on both domestic growth trends and external geopolitical risks.

In an economy rife with uncertainty, the Federal Reserve is expected to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 4.25%-4.5% during Tuesday and Wednesday’s policy meetings. With mixed economic signals—ranging from slowing inflation to tariff threats—the Fed has adopted a cautious, wait-and-see approach. This decision follows a recent rate pause after previous cuts, with officials hinting at limited guidance on future moves, leaving markets to ponder potential adjustments as economic conditions continue to evolve.

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s next meeting is set for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 02:00 PM UTC, and traders expect interest rates to remain unchanged at 4.25%-4.5%, with a 98% probability per the CME FedWatch Tool. This meeting follows a period of cooling inflation, which has contributed to market stability despite ongoing global uncertainties—including tariff-induced shocks. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference at 02:30 PM UTC is anticipated to provide further clarity on the bank’s stance. While no immediate rate cuts are expected, market watchers note that any future easing could fuel a bullish turnaround for crypto assets, with Bitcoin already showing signs of recovery.

Bitcoin (BTC) struggled to break above $84K early Monday, while popular altcoins like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), and Litecoin (LTC) experienced minor dips and gains. The overall Market Fear & Greed Index was at 22 (Fear) out of 100, indicating prevailing market pessimism. In 24 hours, BinaryX (BNX) led with a nearly 54% surge, whereas Movement (MOVE) suffered a 7% drop. At the time of writing, the global crypto market cap was $2.72 trillion, marking a 1.29% decline over the past day.

Driven by the recent surge in memecoins like Mubarak, BNB Chain’s DEX has recorded an impressive $1.64 billion in trading volume over the past 24 hours, overtaking Solana to claim the top spot. Simultaneously, PancakeSwap—BNB Chain’s flagship decentralized exchange—has also emerged as the highest volume DEX during the same period. These strong figures underscore BNB Chain’s growing influence in the DeFi space, as increased liquidity and active trading in memecoins continue to draw investor attention.