Bank of America economists have outlined a contingency path for a Federal Reserve rate hike, despite still viewing rate cuts as the most probable outcome. The report highlights surging energy costs and persistent inflation risks stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as primary catalysts for a policy shift. Analysts identified three specific conditions: an extended tenure for Chair Jerome Powell, unemployment remaining below...

The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand increased 0.7% in February, significantly outstripping the 0.3% consensus forecast. On an annual basis, headline wholesale inflation rose to 3.4%, the highest level recorded since February 2025. Bitcoin and major altcoins saw immediate selling pressure, with BTC dipping below $72,000 as traders recalibrated expectations for 2026 interest rate cuts. Wholesale prices in the United States rose...

Bitcoin has decoupled from gold, gaining approximately 7% to 9% since the start of the Iran conflict on Feb. 28, while gold fell nearly 3.7%. The Federal Reserve’s hawkish hold on March 18, which kept rates at 3.50%–3.75%, pressured traditional risk assets and bullion. Analysts cite spot demand from U.S. ETFs and 24/7 liquidity as structural reasons for Bitcoin’s relative strength during the energy shock. Bitcoin has displayed a rare...