Is the crypto world exhausting everyone these days? When I open the market software, BTC is fluctuating between 90,000 and 92,500, and ETH is no exception, repeatedly testing the 3100 level. The entire market looks like it's been paused, all waiting for tonight's 21:30 US December CPI data release, the "whistleblower."

My eight years of industry experience tell me that every second now is full of variables—containing opportunities but also hidden risks. Beginners should never operate blindly, and veterans must also curb their greed. This article will explain the ins and outs of the market and include practical strategies.

**Market Data Here**

As of 14:45, the latest snapshot shows the total global crypto market cap reaching $3.13 trillion, a slight decrease of 0.36% in 24 hours. This decline seems minor, but the signal behind it is very clear—it's a cautious adjustment ahead of the CPI announcement. Funds are in a wait-and-see mode; no one wants to be caught off guard before a black swan event.

BTC's performance is worth a close look. The current price is $91,400, with a small decline of only 0.22%, but its market dominance is rising, now at 59.25%. What does this number mean? Capital is concentrating on the top assets, doing risk hedging. Small-cap coins are basically "islands" at this point. My advice is to avoid them if possible, as they are easily dragged down.

ETH is at $3,103, down 0.58%, with a market cap of $374.4 billion. As the second-largest asset in the market, it is highly correlated with BTC, but its own volatility is more flexible. The future direction essentially still depends on BTC's lead.