December inflation figures are expected to show acceleration as November's shutdown-related anomalies reverse. Those temporary factors had artificially suppressed the November print. With this unwind, market participants are increasingly confident the Federal Reserve will hold rates steady at their upcoming decision. The inflation trajectory shift matters—it signals whether the Fed maintains its current pause stance or readies for further moves. Traders are watching closely since policy signals ripple across risk assets, including the crypto sector where macroeconomic expectations often drive volatility and positioning.