Crypto markets are poised for a dynamic start to the new year, with a series of pivotal events set to reshape sentiment and trading volumes. From macroeconomic decisions by the Federal Reserve to protocol updates and legal proceedings, here are the key developments demanding close attention from investors:
#1 Crypto Awaits The FOMC Minutes Release (January 8)
On Wednesday, the minutes from December’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting are scheduled for release, offering insights into policymakers’ deliberations and possible hints at upcoming rate decisions. The minutes will shed light on the Federal Reserve’s latest approach to controlling inflation while supporting economic stability.
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The Fed cut US interest rates three consecutive times after a heated debate in late 2024, though it reduced its forecast for total annual rate cuts this year from four down to two. Investors also recall Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s statement that “the decision to cut rates was a close call.” This underscores the importance of the forthcoming minutes for anyone looking to gauge how hawkish or dovish the central bank may become throughout 2025.
#2 THORChain’s Base Integration
Cross-chain liquidity platform THORChain has confirmed it will begin supporting Base—currently the largest Layer 2 by volume—next week. According to THORChain’s development updates, this integration enables more efficient ETH-BTC swaps by circumventing Ethereum’s mainnet congestion and unlocking new liquidity avenues through cbBTC. Market observers anticipate a notable uptick in trading volume as the community takes advantage of cheaper ETH-BTC swaps and expanded cross-chain capabilities.
#3 Jupiter’s Airdrop Checker
Jupiter, a leading Solana-based decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator is expected to release its airdrop eligibility checker this week. This event is part of “Jupuary,” a multi-year airdrop initiative slated for January 2025 and 2026, during which the protocol will distribute a total of $700 million worth of JUP tokens to its user base.
The project has declared that this airdrop aims to “grow the pie,” broadening the Jupiter community and boosting participation in one of the world’s most significant decentralized autonomous organizations. Additionally, Jupiter’s Castanbul conference in late January will feature the live burning of 30% of the token’s supply.
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#4 USUAL Fee Switch Activation (January 7)
In the decentralized finance (DeFi) arena, the USUAL ecosystem is set to activate its fee switch on January 7, 2025. This marks a pivotal transformation: holders of USUAL who stake their tokens will start receiving a share of the protocol’s revenue. By directly rewarding stakers with transaction fees, the protocol hopes to foster a more robust and participatory user base.