Bitcoin hunts liquidity as US CPI inflation drops to lowest since 2021

cointelegraphPublicado a 2025-12-18Actualizado a 2025-12-18

Resumen

US CPI inflation dropped to 2.7% year-over-year in November, the lowest level since March 2021, significantly below expectations. This led to increased market volatility, with Bitcoin briefly surpassing $89,000 before retracing. The unexpected decline fuels expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, with markets pricing in a 26.6% probability of a cut in January. Analysts note Bitcoin's price action resembles early 2025 patterns, suggesting potential further downside toward $75,000. Over $630 million in crypto liquidations occurred amid ongoing volatility and perceived market manipulation.

Bitcoin (BTC) ramped up volatility into Thursday’s Wall Street open as markets reacted to surprise US inflation data.

Key points:

  • Bitcoin traders weather more snap BTC price volatility as CPI surprises to the downside.

  • US inflation unexpectedly drops to multiyear lows, fueling bets of interest-rate cuts.

  • Bitcoin price action continues repeating its early 2025 fractal.

Bitcoin stays erratic after “massive” CPI miss

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD passing $89,000 before reversing lower.

BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView


The move followed the November release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which printed one of its largest monthly declines since 2023 — firmly against expectations.

“The all items index rose 2.7 percent for the 12 months ending November, after rising 3.0 percent over the 12 months ending September,” an official statement from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirmed.

The BLS noted that October’s CPI report was not issued due to the government shutdown.

Reacting, trading resource The Kobeissi Letter led the surprise, suggesting that contrarian inflation signals could continue into next year.

“This puts Core CPI inflation in the US at its lowest level since March 2021,” it wrote in a post on X.

“According to this data, inflation is now at its closest point to the Fed's 2% target since the pandemic. 2026 is going to be a wild year.”
US CPI 12-month % change. Source: BLS


Versus the anticipated 3.1% increase, CPI had come in short by a “massive amount,” crypto trader Daan Crypto Trades continued.

“Risk assets like $BTC are rallying on the back of this, combined with a large fall in the dollar and bond yields,” an X post read.

“The 3 month annualized CPI is now just slightly over 2%. This should be very welcomed by the Fed. More rate cuts are expected to get priced in following this data.”
Fed target rate probabilities for January FOMC meeting (screenshot). Source: CME Group


Data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool put the odds of a fresh interest-rate cut at the Fed’s Jan. 28 meeting at 26.6%.

New long-term BTC price low next?

As Cointelegraph reported, traders were suspicious of Bitcoin price action through this week and last due to “fakeouts” in either direction during US trading sessions.

Related: Bears take over below $90K? 5 things to know in Bitcoin this week

Accusations of market “manipulation” came as BTC/USD hit walls of liquidity both above and below while failing to sustain a new trend.

Total crypto liquidations for the 24 hours to the time of writing were over $630 million, per CoinGlass.

Crypto total liquidations (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass


With the snap moves continuing on the day, crypto trader and entrepreneur Ted Pillows eyed similarities to the start of the year.

“$BTC is mimicking the Q1 2025 fractal. What if this plays out?” he queried alongside a chart of Bitcoin futures.

The chart implied another macro bottom for BTC/USD still to come, similar to that seen in early April when the pair briefly dipped below $75,000.

Bitcoin futures chart fractal. Source: Ted Pillows/X

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

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Preguntas relacionadas

QWhat was the key economic data released that caused Bitcoin's price volatility?

AThe US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November, which showed inflation dropping to 2.7% year-over-year, the lowest since March 2021 and a significant miss against expectations.

QHow did the unexpected CPI data impact market expectations for Federal Reserve interest rates?

AThe data fueled bets on interest-rate cuts, with the CME Group's FedWatch Tool indicating a 26.6% probability of a rate cut at the Fed's January 28 meeting.

QAccording to the article, what pattern is Bitcoin's price action repeating?

ABitcoin's price action is repeating its early 2025 fractal, which some traders believe could imply another macro price bottom is still to come.

QWhat was the total value of crypto liquidations in the 24 hours surrounding the CPI news?

ATotal crypto liquidations for the 24 hours to the time of writing were over $630 million.

QWhy was the October CPI report not issued, as noted in the article?

AThe October CPI report was not issued due to the US government shutdown.

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Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy (MSTR), confirmed that the dividend rate for its STRC perpetual preferred shares will remain at 12.00% through August 2026. The rate has increased from 9% at its July 2025 launch to the current high via a "ratchet" mechanism, which permanently raises the rate by 0.5% whenever the share price falls below $95. This mechanism is intended to push the price back toward its $100 par value and support Strategy's "at-the-market" (ATM) program for issuing new shares to fund Bitcoin purchases. However, the mechanism has not worked as intended. STRC shares closed at $89.46 on July 31, remaining about 10-11% below par value despite the record-high dividend. Competition from rival Strive's higher-yielding SATA securities has pressured demand. The persistent discount has forced Strategy to suspend new STRC issuances via its ATM program, limiting this funding channel for Bitcoin acquisitions. STRC's struggles reflect Bitcoin's own volatility, as the preferred shares historically move in tandem. Analysts have warned the ratchet structure carries long-term, one-way risk. A law firm is investigating Strategy's ability to maintain dividend payments if Bitcoin's price stays low. Retail investors own roughly 83% of outstanding STRC shares, a group seen as prone to panic selling during downturns. In response, Strategy has established financial reserves, including a liquidity cushion covering about 26 months of dividend/interest obligations, and a $2 billion share buyback program alongside a Bitcoin monetization framework, though the company emphasized it is not obligated to sell any Bitcoin.

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