Economic Calendar, Crypto Summit and More

With just 10 days left until the Fed’s next rate decision, all eyes are on Jerome Powell. If Powell cuts rates, it could boost market sentiment and be seen as bullish for the economy. However, if he holds rates steady, critics argue that President Trump should consider a replacement who will take more decisive action to help American consumers. The decision is set to have significant implications for the nation’s economic outlook.

The Nasdaq 100 closed below its 200-day moving average for the first time since March 12, 2023, breaking a 497-day streak—the second-longest in history. Historical trends show that if the index drops over 3.5% within two weeks after such a run, a bear market may follow, while a lesser decline could lead to gains. The next two weeks will be critical for market direction, according to Sentimentrader.

The DXY Index, which measures the U.S. dollar’s strength, has seen one of its sharpest one-week drops since 2013—exceeding a -4 standard deviation move, a rarity linked to previous Bitcoin bottoms. Past occurrences, such as during the FTX collapse (November 2022), the COVID-19 plunge (March 2020), and the 2015 bear market, led to significant Bitcoin rebounds. Although the DXY remains strong at 103.8, its accelerated decline is a notable signal for risk assets.

Fold Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLD) has increased its Bitcoin treasury by 475 BTC, bringing total holdings to over 1,485 BTC. This move positions Fold among the top ten U.S. public companies with the largest Bitcoin reserves. The company acquired the additional Bitcoin through a convertible note at a 100% premium, reinforcing its strategy of bridging traditional finance with the Bitcoin economy. CEO Will Reeves emphasized Fold’s commitment to driving shareholder value and leading the charge in a new financial era powered by Bitcoin adoption.

US non-farm payrolls increased by 151,000 in February, missing the market expectation of 160,000. The unemployment rate in February climbed to 4.1%, up from both the expected rate of 4.0% and the previous 4.0% reading. This lower-than-anticipated job growth, along with a slight rise in unemployment, could signal underlying challenges in the labor market, potentially affecting economic outlook and policy decisions.

Markets now await Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks Friday morning to shed light on the Fed’s views regarding Trump’s tariffs and the risk of stagflation. His comments, one of the last before the March 18-19 policy meeting, come as trade-war worries continue despite Trump’s pause on tariffs from Mexico and Canada. Meanwhile, Bitcoin dipped below $90,000 after Trump’s move to create a strategic US Bitcoin reserve.

Nasdaq is seeking regulator approval to expand trading hours on its main exchange to 24 hours, Monday through Friday, targeting the second half of 2026. Announced by Nasdaq President Tal Cohen, the proposal faces challenges including liquidity, risk management, and handling corporate actions during extended sessions. Driven by growing investor demand and rising off-hour volumes, the move has sparked mixed reactions from companies concerned about potential disruptions, as per experts.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple pulled back on Friday as focus shifted to the upcoming US nonfarm payrolls data and Donald Trump’s crypto summit. Bitcoin dropped near $84K, while ETH and XRP fell by 4.2% and 1.32% respectively amid a declining US dollar index. Analysts expect heightened volatility as labor data unfolds. Technical levels indicate support around $85K for Bitcoin and key resistance zones, leaving traders cautious ahead of rate cuts.

Markets now expect three Fed rate cuts this year—up from earlier forecasts—following the February 7 jobs report. Wall Street worries that Trump’s tariffs and counter-tariffs could spark inflation, potentially triggering stagflation (low growth with rising prices). With the February 2025 CPI data due on March 12 and the next FOMC meeting scheduled for March 18–19, uncertainty mounts over the impact of aggressive rate cuts on the economy.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to speak today at 12:30 PM EST at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. He will address the economy, inflation risks, and the impact of Trump’s new tariffs, just hours after the February jobs report. This timely speech is expected to provide critical insights into current economic challenges and the Fed’s policy direction amid rising inflation and trade uncertainties.

Powell faces significant challenges as he prepares to speak at the U.S. Monetary Policy Forum. New risks—from global trade wars and Trump’s tariffs to government spending cuts and stricter immigration policies—threaten the soft landing from inflation. The tariffs, in particular, may be inflationary, forcing the Fed to choose between curbing inflation and supporting growth. With mixed economic signals, including falling consumer spending and rising job cuts among federal workers, concerns about stagflation and shifting inflation expectations are mounting.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is in the spotlight at the 18th annual U.S. Monetary Policy Forum in New York, where he will deliver the keynote. The event gathers experts who discuss critical issues facing the Federal Reserve. Powell’s policy independence is under scrutiny amid concerns that Trump’s tariff policies may trigger inflation, forcing the Fed to cut rates sooner than anticipated. Recent economic data indicates weakening consumer spending and stagnant housing, fueling market expectations of up to three rate cuts this year as debates over inflation and economic growth continue.