Recently, friends paying close attention to macroeconomic developments should have noticed a peculiar phenomenon—the scheduled release of U.S. economic data is now happening all at once. This is a chain reaction stemming from the U.S. government shutdown at the end of 2025, with a bunch of postponed major data releases now concentrated in mid to early January 2026. For the crypto market, this could be a significant variable.

**Data Bombardment Schedule**

On January 8th, the international trade data for October 2025 will be released first. Although this data is somewhat delayed, it helps everyone see the overall picture of the U.S. economy. The real key figures come later.

January 9th is a critical day—data for the December 2025 non-farm employment report will be released. This indicator is a barometer of the U.S. labor market, and its importance is self-evident. If employment data exceeds expectations and shows strong growth, market expectations for Fed rate cuts will be pushed back; conversely, if it’s weaker, the opposite applies. This will directly influence the direction of risk assets.

Even more crucial is the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on January 13th. Whether inflation has been contained depends entirely on this data. The Fed’s interest rate policy will also be influenced by CPI figures. If inflation remains sticky, the market’s hope for rate cuts in the first half of 2026 could be dashed.

By January 29th, the international trade data for November 2025 will also be released.

**What does this mean for cryptocurrencies?**

On the surface, these are just macroeconomic data points, but their impact on the crypto market is real. The reports on January 9th (non-farm payroll) and January 13th (CPI) will directly determine how the market assesses the likelihood of a "soft landing" for the U.S. economy and when the Fed might actually pivot.

Imagine this scenario: if both reports show strong employment and sticky inflation, it will undoubtedly dampen expectations for rate cuts in the first half of 2026. The Fed might hold steady or even continue to maintain high interest rates. In such an environment, cryptocurrencies, as risk assets, will face increased short-term pressure. Funds may flow back into traditional safe assets.

Conversely, if the data indicates signs of economic slowdown and inflation is truly under control, the market will reignite hopes for rate cuts. This would significantly boost risk appetite in the crypto market.

The key point is that these data releases are not scattered but concentrated in a bombardment, which could lead to more intense market reactions. An unexpected figure can quickly trigger a wave of sentiment. For traders, this presents both opportunities and risks.