CryptoMedium18 September 2026
2 min read

Crypto Market Rallies as Layer-2 Tokens Lead Gains Amid Falling Treasury Yields

Key Facts

1Starknet and Arbitrum tokens gained over 17% as the 10-year Treasury yield slipped back below 5%.
298 out of 100 constituents in the CoinDesk 100 index advanced during the rally.

In a move reflecting a return to risk-on sentiment after the market digested recent Federal Reserve actions, cryptocurrency markets experienced a broad-based recovery. According to reports, Layer-2 protocols and DeFi tokens spearheaded the rally, with Starknet and Arbitrum posting significant gains exceeding 17%. This positive momentum emerged as initial nerves regarding the Fed's rate hike began to fade, leading to an almost unanimous advance where 98 out of 100 constituents in the CoinDesk 100 index moved higher.

The rally coincided with pivotal shifts in the macroeconomic landscape as the 10-year US Treasury yield slipped back below the 5% threshold, creating a more favorable environment for risk assets. Per market data, this strength extended beyond digital assets to US equity futures, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100, while gold and silver also advanced. Furthermore, Brent crude easing below $103 helped mitigate the inflation concerns that had intensified following the recent interest rate increase.

Based on data as of September 18, 2026, market sentiment remains bullish as capital rotates back into crypto-native innovations. In the absence of specific real-time pricing data for these instruments in this report, traders are closely monitoring sovereign yield stability as a primary catalyst for continued growth. According to the economic calendar, there are no major upcoming catalysts scheduled for the immediate days ahead, leaving price action dependent on current liquidity flows.