On 18 March, the Federal Reserve left the federal funds target range unchanged at 3.5%–3.75% and said inflation remains above its 2% goal, limiting the case for near-term cuts. Its updated projections still place 2026 PCE inflation at 2.7% and the policy rate around 3.4%, pointing to only gradual easing. The Fed also highlighted elevated uncertainty, including potential spillovers from Middle East developments.

On 17 March 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission released new guidance on how federal securities laws apply to crypto, stating that most crypto assets are not securities. The framework introduces a five-part taxonomy and explains how securities rules may apply to activities such as staking, airdrops, mining, and wrapping depending on how tokens are offered and used.

Bitrefill said a cyberattack on March 1, 2026 led to unauthorized hot-wallet transfers and disruption to parts of its internal infrastructure. The company reported that database logs indicate roughly 18,500 purchase records were accessed, with about 1,000 including encrypted customer names that it is treating as potentially exposed. Bitrefill said its investigation found operational similarities to activity linked to the Lazarus Group, but it did not make a definitive attribution.

On 17 March 2026, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued a no-action position for Phantom Technologies Inc. covering specified activities tied to its self-custodial wallet software. The relief lets Phantom market software that connects users to trading services offered by registered futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, and designated contract markets, without registering as an introducing broker or associated person if stated conditions are met.

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.