On Wednesday, Bitcoin traded around $74,000, approximately 2.6% below the recent six‑week peak of $76,000, as markets awaited the March 18 FOMC rate decision and Jerome Powell's press conference. Derivatives and prediction markets almost fully priced in no change to the current 3.5%–3.75% policy rate, while analysts highlighted $76,000–$80,000 on the upside and $65,000–$60,000 on the downside as critical BTC levels. Continued spot ETF inflows and Powell's tone were seen as potential catalysts for heightened volatility in the coming days.

Bitcoin has climbed about 6.5% over the past week to roughly $74,000, while Citigroup has revised its 12-month price target down to $112,000 from around $143,000. The bank links this more cautious outlook to slow progress on US crypto regulation and softer network activity, even as institutional and retail demand remain important drivers. Citi also sketches a wide scenario range between $58,000 and $165,000, underscoring both risk and potential upside for traders.

Bestselling Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has warned his followers that, in his view, the global financial system is an unsustainable bubble that could burst. He is calling on investors to immediately accumulate Bitcoin, Ethereum, gold and silver, arguing that hard assets may surge if fiat currencies fall in a crisis. Kiyosaki has floated a Bitcoin price target of $750,000 per coin in a severe downturn, while stressing that his own portfolio is hedged and that individuals should choose what is safest for their situation.

On 18 March 2026, Bitcoin held steady near recent levels despite macro headwinds such as Iran tensions and an FOMC meeting widely expected to keep rates unchanged. Spot net volume delta on Binance and Coinbase has turned positive after deep negatives in mid-February, while short-term holders are consistently selling whenever price moves above $70,000. At the same time, institutions like Strategy and Metaplanet are aggressively accumulating BTC, even as a 23-bar cycle theory draws attention to key levels at $77,000 and $65,000.

On March 16, hourly Bitcoin inflows to centralized exchanges surged to 6,100 BTC, the highest level since Feb. 20, while the asset’s price climbed toward resistance around $75,000. According to CryptoQuant’s Julio Moreno, large transfers made up 63% of total inflows, and such spikes in big deposits have previously coincided with stronger selling pressure.

Citigroup analysts on Tuesday reduced their 12‑month price forecasts for Bitcoin from $143,000 to $112,000 and for Ethereum from $4,304 to $3,175, citing slow legislative progress on crypto regulation in the United States. Based on current trading levels around $74,360 for Bitcoin and $2,314 for Ethereum, the bank still projects upside of nearly 50% and about 62% respectively, but does not expect new all‑time highs this year.

Bitcoin recently pushed higher, moving past $75,000 and reaching a peak near $75,998 before easing lower. The price is now consolidating above $73,500 and the 100-hour simple moving average, with a bullish trend line offering support around $72,000. If BTC clears resistance at $75,500–$76,200, further gains toward $77,500–$78,000 are possible, while failure to do so could trigger a drop toward supports at $73,800, $73,150 and $72,000.

A long-running on-chain metric that has aligned with each of Bitcoin's last three major bear market lows is once again closing in on its key zone. The Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) reading on the monthly chart has dropped to 22.9, while BTC trades around $74,220 after previously climbing above $70,000 into the mid-$70,000s. If the historical pattern holds, analysts suggest sentiment may still need a deeper reset before confirming whether the next full cycle uptrend can begin.