Bitcoin slipped to about $91,800 in early Asian trade, easing 0.2% as investors held back ahead of the U.S. December consumer‑price index release. The price dip mirrored a broader retreat in crypto, with Ethereum down roughly 0.7% and other altcoins losing ground amid rising geopolitical risk. Unrest in Iran and a fresh diplomatic spat between China and Japan pushed oil higher and steered capital toward safe‑haven assets such as gold.

Traders also watched the Federal Reserve closely after Chair Jerome Powell disclosed legal threats he attributes to a DOJ‑linked renovation, fueling doubts about the central bank’s independence. President Donald Trump is poised to name Powell’s successor, a move that could shape future rate policy. Meanwhile, enthusiasm for AI and tech stocks continues to siphon money away from digital currencies, a trend that began in late‑2025 when AI‑driven equities outperformed the crypto market.

Market participants will gauge the CPI print for signs of sticky inflation, which could delay any Fed rate cuts and keep crypto volatility elevated.