U.S. Inflation Cools More Than Expected in November, Crypto Markets Rally
Consumer prices rose just 2.7% annually in November, significantly below the 3.1% forecast and marking the steepest decline since March 2025. Core CPI, excluding volatile food and energy components, increased 2.6% year-over-year - also under expectations.
The surprise cooling triggered immediate reactions across risk assets. Bitcoin and ethereum led crypto gains, with traders interpreting the data as reducing pressure for Federal Reserve rate hikes. Futures markets now price just a 25% chance of a January 2026 rate cut.
Market participants noted the inflation print's psychological impact outweighs its mathematical significance. 'When you break the 3% barrier after eighteen months, it changes the narrative,' said one hedge fund manager active in BTC and ETH markets.