We’re officially 120 hours away from what could be one of the most explosive moments in global markets this year. The U.S. Federal Reserve is closing in on its next move—and the probability of a rate cut has rocketed to a staggering 97%. Yes, ninety-seven. The entire financial world is basically holding its breath.
Traders are already bracing for impact. A cut of this magnitude doesn’t just “influence” markets—it rearranges the entire landscape. Trends shift. Momentum flips. Liquidity floods or vanishes. This is the kind of event that gets remembered.
And you can bet the headlines will be even louder once the announcement hits. President Trump is gearing up to frame this move as a defining moment—a confirmation of the economic direction he’s been pointing toward.
The countdown has started. Markets are humming. Sentiment is crackling. Get ready.
🇺🇸 U.S. Jobless Claims Surprise to the Downside — But the Signal Isn’t Clean
Initial jobless claims slipped to 214,000 for the week ending Dec 20, beating expectations of 224,000. On the surface, that looks like strength — a 10,000 drop suggesting the labor market is still holding together despite macro noise and year-end chaos.
But zoom out, and it’s more complicated.
What’s really going on beneath the headline: • December data is messy. Claims had just spiked to 236,000 earlier this month — the highest since early 2020. Most economists blame holiday distortions, not a sudden break or rebound in employment. • Continuing claims climbed to 1.92M, meaning people who lose jobs are taking longer to get rehired. That’s a quiet warning sign. • We’re stuck in a “no fire, no hire” labor market — companies aren’t laying off aggressively, but they’re also not hiring with conviction. • Job confidence is fading, and unemployment remains near multi-year highs even as headline data flickers between “good” and “bad.”
The takeaway: The labor market isn’t collapsing — but it’s clearly losing momentum. Stability, yes. Strength? Debatable. Short-term data is being warped by seasonality, which makes weekly numbers unreliable on their own. January’s jobs report will matter a lot more.
Now the question everyone’s really asking: With macro signals mixed and risk assets wobbling, is this a window or a warning for crypto?
Markets today: • $BTC : 86,842 (-0.59%)
• $ETH : 2,914 (-0.62%)
• $BNB : 838 (-0.7%)
So what do you think — accumulation zone, or patience phase? Is this the moment to lean into $BTC , $ETH , $BNB , or is the market still waiting for clarity?
$XRP Bears Take the Lead — Is This a Breakdown or Just a Classic Shakeout?
XRP is showing clear signs of weakness as sellers continue to dominate. After several failed attempts to break above the key daily resistance near $1.96 on Sunday, XRP reversed sharply, dropping 2.66% over the next two sessions. As of Wednesday, it’s trading around $1.86, keeping bearish pressure in play. If the corrective move continues, XRP could head toward a critical support zone at $1.77, matching the December 19 swing low — a level that may determine whether the market stabilizes or dives further. A decisive break below this area could trigger more selling and confirm a continuation of the downtrend. Momentum indicators remain bearish. On the daily chart, the RSI sits near 42, below the neutral 50, signaling that sellers are still in control. Meanwhile, MACD lines are converging, reflecting indecision among traders — often a precursor to increased volatility.
On the bullish side, renewed buying could push XRP back toward the $1.96 resistance. However, only a strong daily close above this level would overturn the bearish structure and shift momentum toward the bulls.
Is XRP gearing up for another leg down, or is it setting a trap for aggressive bears? Follow for timely crypto insights and high-probability trade setups. #XRP #CryptoAnalysis