Inflation has been a significant concern for cryptocurrencies for four years, and despite changes in the Federal Reserve’s leadership, interest rate cuts will remain limited until inflation hits target levels. Federal Reserve members have always approached interest rate reductions cautiously because they have not met the targeted inflation rate for four years. Recent signals suggesting the end of employment contraction have adversely affected expectations for reductions in 2026. What does the current producer inflation indicate?
Latest U.S. Data
Producer inflation gives us insights into the trajectory of Consumer Price Index (CPI), with expectations that it would be announced at 2.8% compared to the previous 3%. Considering the Fed’s 2% inflation target, more decrease in Producer Price Index (PPI) is needed. So, what is today’s PPI announcement? According to the recently released report, the figures are as follows:
- PPI Announced: 3% (Expectation: 2.8%, Previous: 3%)
- Core PPI Announced: 3.3% (Expectation: 2.9%, Previous: 3%)
The figures came in significantly above expectations. With a monthly PPI of 0.5% and a core PPI of 0.7%, the outlook for CPI is concerning. This unfavorably affects cryptocurrencies, complicating things for them over the weekend.
The December increase in final demand prices stems from a 0.7% rise in the final demand services index. Excluding food, energy, and trade services, the final demand index increased by 0.4% in December, marking the eighth consecutive increase. Final demand prices excluding food, energy, and trade services rose by 3.6% in 2024 and 3.5% in 2025.
“The index for services aimed at final demand rose by 0.7% in December, marking the largest increase since the 0.9% rise in July.
Among final demand goods in December, the index for nonferrous metals increased by 4.5%. Prices for residential natural gas, motor vehicles, nonalcoholic beverages, and aircraft and aircraft equipment also rose. By contrast, the index for diesel fuel fell by 14.6%. Prices for gasoline, jet fuel, beef, and veal, as well as iron and steel scrap, also decreased.”
Federal government shutdowns in October and November significantly delayed the submission of Producer Price Index price update requests. As a result of this delay, the “January 2026 PPI data release has been postponed to February 27, 2026.”
