Crypto News Today, 17th March : Pi Network Price, XRP News, FOMC Meeting, Gold Price vs Bitcoin

Gold’s bull market is making history. Over the past 12 months, gold added approximately $5.0 trillion in market value, reaching a record $20.1 trillion. In the last six years, its market cap surged by nearly $12 trillion—an increase of 148%. In 2025 alone, gold prices have risen about 12%, marking multiple all-time highs. Additionally, the gold-to-CPI ratio hit a record 9.2x, surpassing previous peaks from 1980 and 2011. Gold is clearly making history.

Strategy recently acquired 130 BTC for approximately $10.7M at an average price of ~$82,981 per bitcoin, achieving an impressive BTC yield of 6.9% year-to-date in 2025. As of March 16, 2025, the firm holds 499,226 BTC, purchased for about $33.1B at an average price of ~$66,360 each. This substantial accumulation underscores Strategy’s unwavering long-term commitment to Bitcoin, reinforcing its status as a major institutional holder and cementing its strong position in the rapidly evolving crypto market with confidence.

Digital asset investment products experienced outflows for the fifth consecutive week, totaling $1.7 billion. The market has now seen outflows for 17 consecutive days, setting the longest streak since 2015. Bitcoin and Ethereum led the decline, with outflows of $978 million and $175 million respectively. This persistent sell-off reflects growing investor caution amid market volatility and economic uncertainty, prompting a reassessment of risk in digital asset investments.

Recent developments hint at a more constructive outlook for the SP500 and Bitcoin. Elon Musk’s DOGE push has lost some influence following public disputes, while the US CPI came in at 2.8% YoY, easing inflation worries. Fed Chair Powell indicated that the Fed will remain on hold amid ongoing uncertainty, and he downplayed the lasting impact of Trump’s tariffs, citing the 2019 scenario. These factors suggest conditions could soon favor future rate cuts and potentially signal a near-term bottom for crypto markets.

A major Bitcoin whale opened a $368M short position with 40x leverage at $84,043, currently up $2M in unrealized profits but facing liquidation if BTC exceeds $85,592. Analysts warn BTC must close above $81K this week to avoid further declines. Meanwhile, ECB official Villeroy cautions U.S. crypto risks, while Trump’s pro-crypto policies boost confidence. Additionally, James Howells lost his appeal to recover 8,000 lost BTC, reinforcing Bitcoin’s scarcity and fueling market uncertainty, trading, liquidity, and price volatility remain under scrutiny.

With crypto narratives running thin, equities have taken center stage. A softer-than-expected US CPI print last week brought temporary relief, but investors remain cautious as the Fed is unlikely to pivot dovish anytime soon. Ongoing tariff risks and persistent inflation concerns leave the possibility of rate cuts uncertain. Volatility is expected to stay elevated as the market scans for any clues on the Fed’s next move, particularly amid uncertainty surrounding Trump’s policy shifts. This environment is prompting a wait-and-see approach, with traders keeping a close eye on macroeconomic indicators and potential market catalysts.

A Hyperliquid insider has just increased their Bitcoin short position by an additional $60 million, bringing the total exposure to a staggering $400 million. The trader is currently sitting on $1.8 million in profits. This move comes as CBB attempted to force liquidations by pushing the price higher, yet the whale instead bolstered their collateral, intensifying the short position. This massive position, one of the largest ever by a single trader, signals potential for significant liquidation events if market conditions shift sharply.

Binance will offer zero-fee trading for all pairs in Binance Wallet from March 17 to September 17, 2025. Fee-free transactions include swaps, cross-chain bridge transfers, and Binance Alpha’s quick buy, though gas fees still apply. Note that this offer excludes third-party dApp transactions. The initiative is designed to lower trading costs and enhance user experience, potentially attracting more traders and liquidity to the platform during this promotional period.

Bitcoin began Monday trading 2% lower after failing to break $84,000, hovering around $83,300 in Asia. Major altcoins like XRP, SOL, ADA, and DOGE fell up to 5%, while BNB gained 3%. The crypto market has plateaued following last week’s sell-off triggered by U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty, fueling recession fears. Traders attribute the decline to the unwinding of multi-strategy hedge fund positions, yet bulls remain optimistic—viewing the dip as a buying opportunity amid anticipated altcoin volatility.

Changpeng Zhao (CZ) made headlines by purchasing $600 worth of MUBARAK Meme Coin—equivalent to 1 BNB. Following his investment and a Binance Alpha listing, MUBARAK’s market cap soared to $100 million, and one trader even netted $521K in profits. This move underscores how high-profile endorsements and exchange support can rapidly drive up the value of meme coins, reinforcing the influence of prominent figures like CZ in shaping market dynamics.

After 1.5 years of dormancy, a Bitcoin whale with $85.7M in profits has made a significant move. On August 18, 2023, the whale acquired 1,500 BTC from Cumberland at an average price of $26,353 (~$39.5M). Now, the whale is shifting its holdings: depositing 300 BTC ($25.1M) to FalconX at approximately $83,707, transferring 1,050 BTC ($87.2M) to two new wallets, while retaining 150 BTC ($12.5M) in the original wallet. Total profits on Bitcoin now stand at an overall staggering +219%.

The Fed is set to release its latest FOMC decision on March 19, with CME data indicating a 99% probability that interest rates will remain unchanged. Policymakers face the challenge of balancing slowing economic growth against persistent inflationary pressures. Additionally, they must factor in the uncertainties posed by potential tariff moves from President Trump. This cautious approach aims to maintain economic stability while keeping an eye on both domestic growth trends and external geopolitical risks.

In an economy rife with uncertainty, the Federal Reserve is expected to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 4.25%-4.5% during Tuesday and Wednesday’s policy meetings. With mixed economic signals—ranging from slowing inflation to tariff threats—the Fed has adopted a cautious, wait-and-see approach. This decision follows a recent rate pause after previous cuts, with officials hinting at limited guidance on future moves, leaving markets to ponder potential adjustments as economic conditions continue to evolve.

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s next meeting is set for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 02:00 PM UTC, and traders expect interest rates to remain unchanged at 4.25%-4.5%, with a 98% probability per the CME FedWatch Tool. This meeting follows a period of cooling inflation, which has contributed to market stability despite ongoing global uncertainties—including tariff-induced shocks. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference at 02:30 PM UTC is anticipated to provide further clarity on the bank’s stance. While no immediate rate cuts are expected, market watchers note that any future easing could fuel a bullish turnaround for crypto assets, with Bitcoin already showing signs of recovery.

Bitcoin (BTC) struggled to break above $84K early Monday, while popular altcoins like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), and Litecoin (LTC) experienced minor dips and gains. The overall Market Fear & Greed Index was at 22 (Fear) out of 100, indicating prevailing market pessimism. In 24 hours, BinaryX (BNX) led with a nearly 54% surge, whereas Movement (MOVE) suffered a 7% drop. At the time of writing, the global crypto market cap was $2.72 trillion, marking a 1.29% decline over the past day.

Driven by the recent surge in memecoins like Mubarak, BNB Chain’s DEX has recorded an impressive $1.64 billion in trading volume over the past 24 hours, overtaking Solana to claim the top spot. Simultaneously, PancakeSwap—BNB Chain’s flagship decentralized exchange—has also emerged as the highest volume DEX during the same period. These strong figures underscore BNB Chain’s growing influence in the DeFi space, as increased liquidity and active trading in memecoins continue to draw investor attention.