December's economic read-out just came in, and the numbers are looking softer than expected. According to S&P's latest assessment, the U.S. economy is showing real signs of strain—tariff pressures continue to weigh on business activity, persistent inflation is still doing its thing, and consumer sales have notably cooled. For crypto traders keeping tabs on macro trends, this matters. Weaker economic data historically creates volatility across asset classes, including digital assets. When traditional markets struggle with stagflation concerns and policy uncertainty, capital often searches for alternative stores of value. Worth monitoring how these economic headwinds reshape Fed expectations and overall risk appetite in the coming weeks.