Stock markets took another hit as treasury yields climbed higher. The real story here? Traders have dialed back their expectations—they're now pricing in just two Federal Reserve rate cuts throughout 2026. That's a significant shift from earlier forecasts. Despite some dovish signals in the Fed's latest meeting notes, year-end liquidity constraints are keeping investors cautious. When money dries up at the end of the year, risk appetite tends to shrivel up. The combination of elevated bond yields, tighter monetary expectations, and thin trading volumes is making it tough for equities to find any solid footing. This broader macro environment will likely shape crypto asset behavior in the coming weeks.