Analyst: Inflation Data to Take Center Stage, BTC Whale Sellers Losing Interest

**Market Focus Shifts to U.S. Data Post-2025 FOMC Meeting** Following the conclusion of the Federal Reserve’s final 2025 FOMC meeting on December 15, the market has turned its full attention to U.S. economic data to gauge how much monetary easing next year could improve liquidity conditions. Key releases—retail sales, initial jobless claims, CPI, PCE—and speeches from multiple Fed officials will take center stage, raising the risk of a repricing of interest rate expectations. BRN Research Director Timothy Misir noted: “The macro agenda is now the market’s top focus.” He added the market is no longer directly trading last week’s rate cut, but instead eyeing data that could validate or challenge that decision. “Inflation data will be critical: any unexpected upward surprise could reinforce the ‘hawkish rate cut’ narrative, while softer readings could potentially reopen the upside path for risk assets before year-end.” On-chain data also signals easing selling pressure from large holders. CryptoQuant figures show inflows of “wholecoin whales” (transactions sending more than 1 BTC to an exchange in a single transfer) to Binance have plummeted to their lowest level since 2018—with an annual average now around 6,500 BTC and a weekly average hovering near 5,200 BTC. CryptoQuant analysts explained: “This trend indicates large BTC holders are less willing to sell.” They also noted broader ecosystem expansion has diverted funds away from centralized exchanges. Misir added: “The collapse in wholecoin whale inflows to Binance signals weakening selling intent among big holders. Even though price performance remains lackluster, internal pressure is actually easing.”