Markets showing mixed signals today as everyone's got their eyes glued to the upcoming U.S. inflation numbers. The data could swing things either way—crypto's particularly sensitive to inflation expectations, so traders are staying cautious heading into the print. Risk appetite's been touch-and-go lately, with traditional equities pulling different directions. Bitcoin and altcoins tend to mirror these macroeconomic moves pretty closely. Key question: will the inflation figures cool down enough to ease rate pressure, or does the Fed keep investors sweating? Either way, this report's likely to be a market-mover.