The U.S. December 2025 CPI release on January 13, 2026, has the entire financial and crypto world on edge — just as that viral screenshot predicted! Labeled a potential "big bomb," this key inflation data drop at 8:30 a.m. ET was expected to either spark an instant market explosion or trigger a sharp correction, depending on how it stacked up against forecasts.
Market expectations were pinned at a year-on-year unadjusted CPI of 2.70% (matching the previous reading) and a seasonally adjusted monthly rise of 0.30%. Traders knew the stakes were high: hotter-than-expected inflation could fuel hawkish Federal Reserve vibes, pushing bond yields up and pressuring risk assets like stocks and cryptocurrencies. Cooler numbers, on the other hand, would boost hopes for rate cuts, likely sending crypto soaring as liquidity flows back into "digital gold" like Bitcoin.
In the lead-up, hype was everywhere — analysts warned of volatility, with Bitcoin hovering around the $90,000+ level and the total crypto market cap near $3.1 trillion. The screenshot nailed the sentiment: everyone was bracing for fireworks, as this final 2025 inflation print (after data disruptions from the government shutdown) could reset expectations ahead of the late-January FOMC meeting.
This moment perfectly captures why macro events like CPI matter so much to crypto — inflation drives Fed policy, which directly influences investor risk appetite. A soft print often ignites rallies; a hot one can cool the party fast. As we await the full aftermath and any immediate price swings, one thing's clear: the "big bomb" has dropped, and markets are reacting in real time. Stay tuned — this could be the spark that defines early 2026 trends! 🚀
