December's U.S. capacity utilization rate came in at 76.3%, beating the previous reading of 76.0% and meeting expectations at 76.0%. This uptick in industrial capacity usage hints at stronger production activity heading into year-end, signaling potential inflationary pressure on the broader economy. For crypto markets, capacity utilization data matters—it's one of the early indicators traders watch when assessing whether the Fed might pause or continue its policy stance. When factories and industrial sectors are running hot, you typically see pressure on real yields and commodities, which can reshape how capital flows into digital assets. The slight acceleration here, though modest, suggests the U.S. manufacturing engine still has some momentum, even as macroeconomic uncertainty lingers.