Crypto prices were broadly higher in Asian trading over the past 24 hours, but traders are bracing for a volatile week as the Federal Reserve meets Wednesday and new US inflation data arrives. Oil rebounded to $100 per barrel after weekend strikes on Iran's Kharg Island, while CME futures imply a 99% chance the Fed leaves rates unchanged. Bitcoin tested $74,000 and Ether moved above $2,200 as total crypto market cap rose to $2.54 trillion on Monday morning.

On March 16, 2026, Bitcoin jumped about $1,800 in roughly 30 minutes to a ~40-day high near $74,300, triggering around $113 million in short liquidations within an hour. The same day, BTC was described as approaching a $74,000–$74,100 liquidity zone, with supports cited at $71,500, $70,300, and $69,000–$69,500. Elsewhere in market activity, Lookonchain-referenced data said Erik Voorhees bought 23,393 ETH worth about $49.08 million at an average of roughly $2,098.

Australia's corporate regulator ASIC said a Gen Z survey found 23% of respondents own crypto and warned that social media "finfluencers" and AI chatbots can contribute to riskier financial decisions. The poll of 1,127 Australians aged 18–28, conducted Nov. 28 to Dec. 10, found 63% use social media for financial guidance and 18% use AI platforms, while 64% said they trust AI.

On January 26, US President Donald Trump said on X he would raise tariffs on South Korean imports to around 25%, citing Seoul’s legislature for not honoring a trade deal. The plan, covering sectors like cars, lumber and pharmaceuticals, contrasts with a current 15% rate and, analysts warned, could hit major firms.

On January 23, 2026, ARK Invest executed its first crypto-linked equity trades of the year, purchasing Coinbase (COIN), Circle (CRCL), and Bullish (BLSH) shares for a total of $21.88 million. The firm acquired 42,179 COIN, 129,446 CRCL, and 88,533 BLSH, signaling continued conviction in crypto-exposed equities amid market volatility.

On January 26, 2026, silver plunged about 12% in under four hours, wiping out an estimated $800 billion in market capitalization and marking one of its steepest short-term declines in recent years. The leveraged unwind and spike in trading volume raised questions over whether some capital could eventually rotate toward crypto assets such as Bitcoin. While the move underscored how fragile momentum trades can be, any potential shift into digital assets still appears dependent on broader liquidity and risk appetite.

US lawmakers and regulators are expected to revisit crypto market structure on Thursday, 29 January, after winter storms delayed federal activities. The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a 10:30 a.m. ET markup on the Digital Commodities Intermediary Act, while the SEC and CFTC plan a 2:00 p.m. ET harmonization session, with amendments ranging from ethics rules to national security and consumer protection likely to shape the bill's final scope.

As markets approach the January 28 FOMC meeting, futures pricing indicates around a 97% chance the Federal Reserve will keep the federal funds rate at 3.75%. Inflation near 3.0%, robust fourth-quarter growth and only modest labor market cooling support expectations for a pause, while rising political pressure and a 2026 leadership horizon add uncertainty to the longer-term rate path.