U.S. CPI Rises to 2.9%, Meeting Expectations

U.S. inflation edged higher as the Consumer Price Index climbed to 2.9% year-over-year, matching economist forecasts. The reading marks a slight acceleration from February's 2.7% pace, signaling persistent but contained price pressures across the economy.

Market participants parsed the data for implications on Federal Reserve policy. The in-line print suggests policymakers face neither urgent need to tighten further nor clear justification for imminent rate cuts. Treasury yields held steady following the release as traders maintained existing bets on the central bank's trajectory.

Cryptocurrency markets showed muted reaction to the macroeconomic data, with Bitcoin and ethereum maintaining recent trading ranges. The inflation figures present a neutral backdrop for digital assets - neither stoking fears of aggressive monetary tightening nor bolstering arguments for rapid easing.