As 2025 Ends, Crypto Market Prepares for Major Economic Triggers This Week. Bitcoin price trades near $89,000, while Ethereum holds around $3,100 as the crypto market steadies above $3.01 trillion. The traders are keeping a close eye as most altcoins are trading the sideways amid the apprehensive mood. The volatility will increase because global macro data releases will dominate next week.
Let’s uncover the top crypto events to watch this week and how they could impact the crypto market event cycle going into 2026.
3 Crypto Events That Could Shape Year-End Sentiment
A number of the key crypto events will take place, and the U.S. labor and inflation statistics will dominate the week. Tuesday, December 16, is the day of Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report. It was postponed because of a 36-day government shutdown.
This report is crucial. It provides an increase in the number of jobs in the sectors (not including agriculture). It is also projected to generate a mere 50,000, compared with 119,000 last month.
A weak report can raise the possibility of the Federal Reserve rate cuts. The result of that might trigger new flows into Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies.
🚨 BIG WEEK AHEAD 🚨
– Tuesday, Dec 16: Unemployment Rate & Nonfarm Payrolls
– Thursday, Dec 18: CPI & Initial Jobless Claims
– Friday, Dec 19: Bank of Japan Interest Rate Decision
EXPECT VOLATILITY! ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/aqGdu8Q0Bo
— Crypto Rover (@cryptorover) December 14, 2025
CPI and Jobless Claims in Focus on Thursday
Thursday, December 18, is expected to receive the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and jobless claims information. It is one more important crypto market event that can move sentiment. The CPI of October was lower than expected, leading to a short-term increase in Bitcoin.
In case of further softening of inflation, then the markets can start to price in dovish Fed policy. That would reinvigorate action in risk products, such as crypto. First-time unemployment claims will be evaluated on weaknesses of labor, which will substantiate the same story.
Global Central Bank Moves Add Pressure
The interest rate ruling of the Central Bank of Japan will be made on Friday, December 19. Economists project an increase of 25 basis points by 0.75. This would be the highest rate in Japan in decades. This crypto market phenomenon could affirm the yen and burden the Bitcoin prices in case it is confirmed.
In the meantime, the central banks of the Bank of England and European Central Bank will announce the updates in their policies. Their actions can affect the risk appetite in the world. The markets are looking out on any change towards tightening.
Coinbase Update Signals Institutional Shift
Coinbase is launching a system update this week, and it will contain an in-house prediction market. This step is an indicator of increased institutional attachment to Web3 services. It is also a structural crypto market move since regulated exchanges are experimenting with new financial instruments.
Macro data, together with platform updates, can reform the short-term volatility. Different traders will be monitoring the market responses.
