4 Crypto Market Catalysts to Watch This Week

Bitcoin wobbles at $61K—here’s what could send it soaring or crashing next.

1. Fed whispers: Powell’s testimony could ignite volatility. Traders are hunting for rate-cut hints like degenerate gamblers at a roulette table.

2. ETF flows: BlackRock’s IBIT needs fresh blood. Last week’s $1.8B outflow stung—institutional ’hodl’ isn’t as strong as their marketing decks claim.

3. Macro madness: CPI drops Wednesday. A hot print might vaporize those ’inflation is dead’ hopium dreams.

4. Memecoin mania: Dogwifhat flips PEPE. Because nothing says ’healthy market’ like dog-themed tokens eating 20% daily swings.

Buckle up. This week either makes crypto heroes—or bagholders.

Economic Events May 12 to 16

April’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) excluding food and energy is due Tuesday. The CPI report is one of the two key measures of inflation, along with the Personal Consumption Expenditures index.

The CPI report reflects price trends across the economy and shapes consumer spending and business sentiment. However, figures are usually much lower than reality in terms of price increases for consumers.

April’s Producer Price Index (PPI) report is due Thursday, reflecting input costs for producers and manufacturers and measuring the cost of producing consumer goods. This leading inflation data also shapes policymakers’ decisions.

April’s Retail Sales report is also due Thursday. This data indicates how much consumers are spending on durable and non-durable goods and is a leading indicator of economic health.

Key Events This Week:

1. April CPI Inflation data – Tuesday

2. OPEC Monthly Report – Wednesday

3. April PPI Inflation data – Thursday

4. April Retail Sales data – Thursday

5. Fed Chair Powell Speaks – Thursday

6. MI Consumer Sentiment data – Friday

Markets also await the…

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) May 11, 2025

Friday will see May’s Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index and preliminary Consumer Inflation Expectations. These reports summarize the findings of a monthly survey measuring consumer confidence and long-term inflation expectations.

The WHITE House said that talks between the US and China regarding a trade deal have made “substantial progress,” on Sunday. “We will be giving details tomorrow, but I can tell you that the talks were productive,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Crypto Market Outlook

Crypto market capitalization had dipped slightly to $3.45 trillion during the Monday morning Asian trading session. However, it was still hovering around multi-month highs.

Bitcoin prices came just shy of $105,000 on Sunday and were holding around the $104,000 level on Monday morning, just 4.4% away from the all-time high. The asset has gained 11% over the past week, though analysts expect some consolidation at these levels.

Ethereum has been on fire for the past week, surging more than 40% over the past seven days. ETH came close to $2,600 on May 11 before retreating slightly to trade at $2,525 at the time of writing.

Altcoins also performed well over the weekend, but momentum has slowed as we enter a new week.