Crypto markets pulled back while stock market futures turned green on March 18.

Global markets are attempting to stabilize after recent volatility tied to the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, but macroeconomic uncertainty continues to dominate sentiment.

Related: Israel-Iran tension unlikely to sway Federal Reserve’s decision

U.S. stock futures climbed on Wednesday, signaling a continued rebound after earlier geopolitical shocks.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.5%, marking a second consecutive day of gains for Wall Street. S&P 500 futures advanced roughly 0.6%, while Nasdaq 100 futures led with a 0.7% increase.

Markets also reacted to fresh geopolitical rhetoric. Just a day earlier, President Donald Trump slammed NATO allies on Truth Social. He said the U.S. no longer needed their support in safeguarding shipping routes, following earlier pressure on allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, oil prices offered some relief. At press time, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was down at $95 per barrel after Iraq reached a deal to resume exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan port, easing supply concerns tied to the conflict.

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Despite the improving tone in equities, crypto markets turned lower after a brief recovery earlier in the week.

Bitcoin (BTC) dropped nearly 1.8% over the past 24 hours to trade around $72,700. Ether (ETH) fell more sharply, down over 3% to near $2,257.

XRP declined 1.64% to $1.49, while Solana (SOL) slid 2.31% to around $91.

The pullback follows a two-day rally that saw major tokens recover some of their losses from early March. However, momentum appears to have stalled as traders reposition ahead of macro catalysts.

Crypto-linked equities also reflected the cautious mood. Coinbase fell 2.34% in pre-market trading, Robinhood slipped 0.78% and Strategy declined 2.15%, reversing gains from the previous session.

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Attention now turns to the Federal Reserve, with markets bracing for its policy decision later on March 18.

Investors widely expect the central bank to hold interest rates steady in the 3.5% to 3.75% range. However, the focus will be on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments, particularly around inflation risks linked to rising energy prices.

The Fed’s Summary of Economic Projections will also be closely watched for insights into policymakers’ outlook on inflation, the labor market, and broader economic conditions.

For crypto markets, the outcome could prove decisive.

With digital assets increasingly tied to macro trends, any shift in rate expectations or inflation guidance may determine whether the recent pullback deepens or if risk appetite returns in the days ahead.

Related: Analyst warns Fed's major FOMC decision could make or break Bitcoin’s rally

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Trading News & Analysis section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.