Crypto Markets Brace for Volatility Amid Massive Week Ahead for Economic Data  

A massive backlog of inflation data is due this week, and Japan’s central bank is about to cut rates, so expect crypto market volatility. 

Bitcoin has tanked again in a typical and now repetitive late Sunday slump, sending the asset below $88,000 briefly.

“Mass amounts of economic data from the government shutdown have officially arrived,” said the Kobeissi Letter, highlighting key inflation reports out this week.

Meanwhile, US President Trump has touted the success of his trade tariffs, claiming that the country has taken in $18 trillion in revenue as a result.

Several major crypto firms received conditional approval last week to become national trust banks in a step that could make stablecoins more mainstream, but this wasn’t enough to prevent markets from falling again.

Economic Events Dec. 15 to 19

Tuesday will see the release of October retail sales data and the November jobs report, both of which will be eyed by policymakers. Strong employment data could validate the Fed’s cautious stance from last week. However, further labor market weakness could raise concerns about economic momentum and complicate its more hawkish 2026 projections.

Manufacturing and Services PMI releases are also due, providing forward-looking perspectives on business activity across both goods-producing and services sectors. The big hitters come on Thursday with November’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data, which will show whether prices are moderating yet or remaining stubbornly high.

Thursday’s Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index will provide additional economic context about regional industrial conditions and pricing pressures.

Friday is also a heavy hitter with the Core PCE Price Index, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure. There are also expected to be existing home sales data, inflation expectations data, and consumer sentiment reports released on Friday.

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Key Events This Week:

1. October Retail Sales data – Tuesday

2. November Jobs Report – Tuesday

3. November CPI Inflation data – Thursday

4. December Philly Fed Manufacturing Index – Thursday

5. October PCE Inflation data – Friday

6. November Existing Home Sales data -…

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) December 14, 2025

The CPI and PCE data create a comprehensive assessment of price pressures and consumer spending patterns that “will significantly influence early 2026 market expectations and Fed policy assumptions,” reported Barchart.

Crypto Market Outlook

As usual, crypto markets tanked late on Sunday, pulled under by Bitcoin, which fell below $88,000 briefly. BTC had recovered to reclaim $89,000 at the time of writing on Monday morning in Asia, but it was trading at a weekly low.

An impending rate cut by the Bank of Japan on Friday has been fingered by some analysts as the catalyst, while others think it has been priced in.

Ethereum had held up better than expected, remaining above $3,000, but most of the altcoins were in the red again. Expect more volatility in the week ahead.