The last 7 days of the New Year's countdown, the market schedule is already in front of you. On the surface, there are a bunch of lively events, but frankly, only two main focuses can truly stir the market: the upcoming December meeting minutes from the Federal Reserve and the market shutdown after the global holiday season.

Tuesday is the watershed of the week. The release of the Federal Reserve meeting minutes is the only major data point. Market traders are all watching one question — what is the central bank’s stance on the pace of interest rate cuts next year? This attitude directly determines the flow of funds.

Starting from Wednesday, the situation reverses. Many exchanges around the world gradually close early, and global financial markets enter the holiday rhythm step by step. You will notice trading activity significantly retreating, with trading volumes shrinking.

By Thursday and Friday, the entire market is basically frozen. U.S. stocks are closed, major domestic and international exchanges suspend trading, and crude oil, precious metals, and foreign exchange all enter hibernation. Liquidity drops to a freezing point. In this environment, market movements often show strange fluctuations or simply stagnate — with fewer traders, sudden events are easily amplified or overlooked.

For holders of cryptocurrencies, this time window is worth paying attention to. Volatility before the Fed minutes can be intense, but after that, the market entering the holiday period will feel somewhat 'hollow'.