OPEC+ just held the line on their 2026 crude oil demand forecast—still pegging it at 43.0 million barrels per day. No surprise there, but here's what matters for markets: the outlook for 2027 inches up slightly to 43.6 million BPD.

Why does this matter? Global energy demand is a macro bellwether. Stable oil expectations usually signal confidence in economic growth, while any downward revision could hint at recessionary concerns. Energy prices influence everything from inflation to central bank policy, which ripples into crypto sentiment and trading flows.

The flat 2026 revision keeps the narrative intact—steady growth without alarm bells. Watch how traditional markets react; sharp swings in crude usually precede shifts in alternative asset appetite.