where the total market value fell by 1.5% to $3.13 trillion, with trading volume remaining high at $90.9 billion. Extreme fear dominates traders' sentiment, as the fear and greed index dropped to 16 points, reflecting a state of "extreme fear."
traders are anticipating a potential market recovery, supported by important U.S. economic data this week, in addition to the Bank of Japan's decision on interest rates.
Key economic events to watch:
- US inflation data (CPI) for November: expected to be released on December 18, a crucial indicator impacting expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. If the data comes in weaker than expected, it may bolster the chances of a rate cut and support price increases in the crypto market.
- US unemployment claims: released mid-week, and could stir speculation for further cuts if they rise above expectations.
- Bank of Japan (BOJ) interest rate decision: expected on December 18-19, with a high likelihood of raising the interest rate to 0.75% from 0.5%. Historically, Japanese rate hikes have led to declines in Bitcoin price of 20-25%, posing a risk to the market.
Current price performance (on December 15, 2025):
- Bitcoin: trading around $89-90 thousand, with a slight decrease of about 1%.
- Ethereum: slight decline to around $3100.
General Expectations:
Despite current pressures after the recent rate cut from the Federal Reserve, traders hope for a recovery supported by positive US data and seasonal optimism for the year-end "Santa Rally," which has historically seen average increases in traditional markets of 1.6%. However, the Bank of Japan's decision remains a key risk factor that could lead to further declines. Caution is advised, focusing on a long-term approach amid high volatility.
