Bitcoin (BTC) has remained flat at $82,410 on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, maintaining a narrow range between $80,000 and $86,000 over the past week as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision. Analysts expect this range to continue, depending on the outcome of the Fed’s policy statement.
Investors are focused on signals of future rate cuts or improved measures, which could influence Bitcoin’s price movements. Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, institutional demand remains strong.
U.S.-based spot Bitcoin ETFs reported $275 million in net inflows on Monday—the highest since late February—following $41 million in inflows on Friday. This marks the first consecutive days of positive inflows since early February, indicating that institutional buying is helping to reduce selling pressure.
“Bitcoin’s ability to hold above $80,000 reflects strong buying activity from institutional investors,” said a market strategist at Glassnode. “We’re seeing a solid floor forming, which indicates that long-term holders are confident in Bitcoin’s outlook.”
Altcoins Gain Ground as CAKE and TKX Outperform
While Bitcoin continues to hold firm, several altcoins posted notable gains. PancakeSwap’s CAKE and Tokenize Exchange’s TKX were among the top performers, both registering double-digit increases over the past 24 hours.
CAKE surged by over 15%, supported by increased trading volumes and positive sentiment from recent protocol upgrades and improved liquidity incentives. TKX gained approximately 12%, driven by increased user adoption and token burning mechanisms that have reduced its circulating supply.
Other altcoins also recorded moderate gains. OKB rose about 4%, while Cosmos (ATOM) gained 3.5%. Ethereum (ETH) remained stable around $1,896, reflecting a cautious investor approach ahead of the Fed’s decision.
The strength in altcoins shows a growing risk appetite, particularly as speculation around potential rate cuts increases. “Altcoins are seeing increased demand as investors shift some capital away from Bitcoin into higher-risk assets,” saysa crypto analyst.
Fed Policy to Set Market Tone
The Federal Reserve rate decision on Wednesday remains the key driver of market mood. Most analysts expect the Fed to leave rates unchanged, but the policy statement and the tone of Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be closely scrutinized for any indications of imminent policy shifts.
A dovish note by Powell would trigger a fresh rally in both traditional and crypto markets, while a relatively hawkish note would weigh on Bitcoin and risk assets. The U.S. dollar index and bond yields have already priced in volatility ahead of the decision, so market participants are hedging against potential surprises.
In traditional markets, European equities advanced on Tuesday, while gold held above $3,000 per ounce, an indication of continued demand for safe-haven assets. The overall crypto market remains strong, with total market capitalization holding above $2.8 trillion.
Bitcoin’s ability to hold the $80,000 level and potential follow-through gains in leading altcoins like CAKE and TKX will serve as key indicators of market sentiment. If the Fed provides a hint to loosen policy later this year, Bitcoin as well as the crypto market could see a major price surge.