Articles
Crypto Market Analysis

Crypto traders eye ‘bullish relief rally’ after Fed holds rates steady

User Image

By Anonymous

Created March 19, 2026|2 mins read
Main Image

Expectation of a relief rally came despite a widely used crypto sentiment indicator falling back into “Extreme Fear” on Wednesday.

Crypto traders have become hopeful for a market rally after the US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday, according to crypto sentiment platform Santiment.

However, analysts are split on whether a near-term market surge is a reliable signal for traders.

“For now, traders are expecting a bullish relief rally in spite of no changes being made,” Santiment said in an X post on Wednesday, pointing to an increase in bullish sentiment among crypto market participants on social media who are linking the Fed’s steady rates to a potential crypto rally.

The social media discussion score surged from roughly 9 to 71 in the hours after the Fed’s “expected outcome” on Wednesday to hold rates steady at 3.5-3.75%. 

“This is likely due to the fact that the bearish price action related to the lack of cuts already occurred yesterday,” Santiment said.

Fed policy has historically been a major catalyst for optimism among crypto market participants, with traders eyeing rate cuts in 2025 as a signal for a possible bull year for Bitcoin. 

However, a pause in rates can increase expectations that cuts could come next.

Several analysts said they are expecting a crypto rally, but they are divided on how long it could last.

Bitcoin (BTC) onchain analyst Willy Woo recently warned that a potential “bull trap” may be forming, a false signal that Bitcoin is entering an uptrend before reversing lower.

Bitcoin has fallen 4.35% over the past 24 hours, trading at $70,790 at the time of publication, according to CoinMarketCap. 

Meanwhile, crypto analyst Matthew Hyland said that Bitcoin and the broader crypto market will “see a significant rally” once the stock market finds its low and rebounds. The S&P 500 has fallen 3.73% over the past 30 days, according to Google Finance.

Echoing a similar sentiment, crypto trader Moustache said in an X post on Monday, “What you’ll see in the coming months is a massive rally.”

Related: ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ author says ‘pin is near’ on TradFi ‘bubble burst:’ Predicts $750K Bitcoin

Other indicators suggest that crypto investors are still taking a cautious approach to the market.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which measures overall crypto market sentiment, fell back into “Extreme Fear” territory on Wednesday, after briefly moving up into “Fear” the day prior.

Magazine: Big Questions: Can Bitcoin save you from the dreaded Cantillon Effect?

Source: CoinTelegraph


Other articles published recently

Crypto projects shut down as token models fail under pressure
Crypto projects shut down as token models fail under pressure

Crypto Market Analysis

Crypto projects are shutting down as token funding weakens and fragmented structures leave them with...

Can Bitcoin hit $250K this year? Traders say it may be time to ‘sell in May’
Can Bitcoin hit $250K this year? Traders say it may be time to ‘sell in May’

Bitcoin

Veteran trader Peter Brandt and other analysts question the $250,000 Bitcoin target, warning the cur...

AML crackdown eclipses securities enforcement as crypto’s top regulatory risk: Report
AML crackdown eclipses securities enforcement as crypto’s top regulatory risk: Report

Crypto Market Analysis

US Anti-Money Laundering fines hit $900 million in the first half of 2025 as enforcement shifted fro...

Galaxy Digital posts $216M Q1 loss as crypto market slides 20%
Galaxy Digital posts $216M Q1 loss as crypto market slides 20%

Crypto Market Analysis

Mike Novogratz's Galaxy Digital posted a $216 million first-quarter loss as weaker crypto prices hit...

Bitcoin price drops below $76K as onchain data sends mixed signals
Bitcoin price drops below $76K as onchain data sends mixed signals

Bitcoin

Bitcoin failed to break $80,000 resistance amid weak onchain fundamentals, but rising spot CVD could...

BitMart x EAT Trade-to-Feed competition to pay out $4.4m USDT to traders in May 2026
BitMart x EAT Trade-to-Feed competition to pay out $4.4m USDT to traders in May 2026

Crypto Market Analysis

The 30-day Trade-to-Feed competition marks BitMart's 8th anniversary and the exchange's strategic li...