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Crypto Market News: US August CPI Meets Expectations, But is the Coast Clear for the Bulls?

Key Insights:

  • Crypto market news shows U.S. August CPI matched expectations at 3.4%, with core inflation also coming in line with forecasts.
  • BTC, gold, and stocks initially crashed before recovering, as markets quickly absorbed the inflation data.
  • September rate-hike odds climbed to around 79%, keeping crypto bulls cautious ahead of the FOMC meeting.

The latest crypto market news shows that the CPI numbers dropped exactly as expected, and the market still lost its mind for a hot minute. US August CPI clocked in at 3.4% year over year, right in line with analyst consensus.

Core CPI also hit the expected 2.4% mark while the monthly reading printed +0.4%. Crypto market participants now wonder whether the coast is clear for the bulls, or whether a September rate hike still stands in the way.

Crypto Market News - CPI Data Assessment | Source: CryptosRus (X)
Crypto Market News – CPI Data Assessment | Source: CryptosRus (X)

Just one day earlier, Fundstrat’s Tom Lee had flagged the August Core CPI as key, stating he expected a soft print that would keep the Fed on hold. He called such an outcome “good”.

The results came in hotter than expected, raising concerns about persistent inflation and putting a hike under consideration.

Crypto Market News: Gold, Stocks, Bonds Flash Crash Then Rebound Hard

While assessing the markets for this crypto market news report, Gold and stocks delivered the clearest signal of temporary relief. Futures charts show both assets crashed at 8:30 a.m. ET release, only to erase the entire decline and turn positive within about 20 minutes.

Additionally, the 10-year yield surged as high as 4.99% before reversing and finishing red on the day. That sharp V-shaped recovery communicated to traders and investors that the initial panic faded fast.

U.S. Government Bonds Price Chart | Source: TradingView
U.S. Government Bonds Price Chart | Source: TradingView

Despite the stock market bounce, the Crypto market remained relatively nervous. Chances of a September interest rate hike have now jumped hard after the data. Polymarket odds climbed to around 79% while some futures pricing pushed even higher.

Assessing Fed Rate Hike Probability in September for Crypto Market News | Source: Polymarket
Assessing Fed Rate Hike Probability in September for Crypto Market News | Source: Polymarket

Crypto market news also reveals that investors are on edge because a fresh hike would raise the cost of capital and hit risk assets. BTC price felt that pressure first as the price dipped roughly $1,000 right after the print. The asset swept lower levels near $76,000 before buyers stepped back in.

Ethereum and altcoins followed the same pattern (quick dump, then a rapid recovery) that left many positions intact. The chart action across assets looked almost identical.

Gold Futures and S&P 500 Charts | Source: TradingView
Gold Futures and S&P 500 Charts | Source: TradingView

Gold futures printed a long red candle at the open, then also flipped green and climbed higher. S&P futures did the same vertical drop-and-reclaim move. That coordinated bounce gave the bulls a short-term win, but the rate-hike overhang has not disappeared.

Crypto Market News: Rate Hike Risk Keeps the Market on Edge

Today’s crypto market news had a mixed tone. The CPI number itself matched expectations and avoided a hot surprise that would have forced the Fed’s hand more aggressively.

Gold and stocks have already priced in temporary relief. BTC, Ethereum, and altcoins have absorbed the initial hit without breaking major supports. Still, the elevated probability of a September hike kept traders from going full degen.

Higher rates have historically pressured liquidity, and nobody wants to get “rekt” if the Fed delivers another 25 basis points next week. Market participants are already shifting focus to the upcoming FOMC meeting.

Is the Coast Clear for the Bulls?

The data has left the door open for either a hold or a hike, and that binary risk produced the choppy price action everyone witnessed. As covered in previous crypto market news, bulls have defended the key levels so far. Whether they can keep that defense intact once the rate decision lands remains the open question.

For now, the Crypto market has digested an in-line US CPI print, staged a rapid recovery across BTC, Ethereum, altcoins, gold, and stocks, and still faces the rate-hike hurdle. The coast is not fully clear yet.

Disclaimer

The contents of this page are intended for general informational purposes and do not constitute financial, investment, or any other form of advice. Investing in or trading crypto assets carries the risk of financial loss. The forecasted data (also called “price prediction”) on this page are subject to change without notice and are not guaranteed to be accurate.

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Michael Gachihi Nderitu
Michael Gachihi Nderitu
A passionate writer/blockchain analyst with over 5 years of experience at the blockchain and crypto frontline. Michael also likes to keep a close watch on developments on the bleeding edge of technology, with keen attention on global economics and geopolitics.