December's US inflation data just dropped, and here's what caught everyone's attention:

Headline CPI landed at 2.7% year-over-year—matching both expectations and the previous month's reading. No surprises there, but the core numbers tell a different story.

Core CPI came in at 2.6%, which actually beat the 2.8% forecast. That's meaningful. When core inflation cools below expectations, it can shift how markets price in Fed rate cuts and liquidity conditions.

For crypto traders watching macro trends, this data matters. Inflation metrics drive monetary policy decisions, which directly influence capital flow into risk assets like digital currencies. A cooler core CPI reading could signal more favorable conditions for market risk appetite in the months ahead.