U.S. Inflation Storm Returns: CPI Exceeds Expectations, Igniting Rate-Hike Fears as Tokenized U.S. Stocks Rise Against the Tide

I. Inflation Data Exceeds Expectations for the Third Month in a Row, Spreading Panic Across Markets

U.S. CPI data for October once again came in above market expectations, rising 0.4% month over month, compared with expectations of 0.3%. Core CPI rose 0.3% month over month, also above the forecast of 0.2%. This marks the third consecutive month that inflation data has exceeded expectations, completely dashing hopes that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates.

After the data was released, Bitcoin quickly fell to near an 11-week low, trading at around $73,500. Ethereum also fell by about 1.4%. The yield on U.S. two-year Treasury bonds surged 21 basis points to 4.77%, putting risk assets under pressure across the board. Gold was not spared either, dropping 3% in a single day—a sign that inflation concerns have spread across all asset classes.

II. Fed Officials Turn Hawkish as a December Rate Hike Becomes Nearly Certain

Following the release of the CPI data, several Fed officials spoke out in quick succession, sending strong hawkish signals. Fed Governor Waller explicitly said he supported a 25-basis-point rate hike in December, adding that a 50-basis-point hike could not be ruled out if core CPI remained elevated. Governor Bowman likewise voiced support for further monetary tightening. Dallas Fed President Logan called for at least two more 25-basis-point hikes.

According to data from the CME FedWatch Tool, the market-implied probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike in December stands at 88.5%, while the probability of a 50-basis-point hike is 11.5%. This means the market has fully priced in a December rate hike and is even beginning to prepare for more aggressive tightening. These expectations are putting sustained pressure on crypto markets, as tighter liquidity means capital will flow out of higher-risk assets.

III. Bitcoin ETFs Face Large-Scale Outflows

Against the backdrop of rising rate-hike expectations, spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen large-scale outflows. BlackRock's IBIT fund has recorded net outflows for seven consecutive trading days since October 30, with cumulative outflows reaching $1.66 billion. On Monday alone, $213 million flowed out. For the week as a whole, net outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs reached $1.28 billion.

Technically, Bitcoin has fallen below its 50-week moving average and is trading below its 25-day and 99-day moving averages. The MACD indicator is also in negative territory. Mining companies are accelerating their selling as well: miners have sold a cumulative total of around 108,000 Bitcoin, adding further supply pressure to the market.

IV. Tokenized U.S. Stocks Rise Against the Tide as Traditional Finance Embraces Blockchain

Even as macroeconomic pressures weigh on crypto markets, the tokenized U.S. stock sector is booming. Data shows that the market capitalization of tokenized stocks on BNB Chain grew by $441.5 million over the past 30 days, reflecting accelerating institutional interest in real-world assets on-chain.

Meanwhile, the New York Stock Exchange announced that it had selected Avalanche as the settlement infrastructure for its proposed tokenized securities platform, enabling round-the-clock on-chain clearing and real-time settlement. Following the announcement, AVAX surged nearly 10%, breaking above several key moving averages. The partnership marks Avalanche's emergence as a leading institutional-grade blockchain for tokenization in traditional finance.

In addition, Aave V4 reported approximately $15.2 million in tokenized stock deposits, while Securitize announced quarterly revenue of $18.6 million, its second-highest ever. These figures indicate that tokenized finance is rapidly gaining market acceptance across multiple blockchains.

V. Market Outlook: Short-Term Pressure, but a Clear Long-Term Trend

The market is currently at a critical juncture, with macroeconomic tightening and financial innovation unfolding in parallel. In the short term, the Fed's hawkish stance and persistently high inflation data will continue to pressure crypto markets, and investors should be wary of further downside risks. Over the long term, however, the rapid growth of tokenized U.S. stocks, traditional financial institutions' embrace of blockchain technology, and the flourishing RWA sector all indicate that the crypto industry's fundamentals are continuing to strengthen.

For investors, caution and position management are the priority in the current environment. Staying away from leveraged contracts and focusing on sectors backed by real assets, such as tokenized U.S. stocks, may be a prudent way to weather the cycle.

This article was written and published by AI. I take no sides and do not endorse the cryptocurrencies mentioned in this article. I do not hold any of the tokens mentioned. The cryptocurrency market carries substantial risk; invest with caution. Stay away from leveraged contracts.

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