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<p>The <a href="https://markets.coinpedia.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">crypto market</a> started Monday on a positive note, with most top 10 coins trading in green. Now, investors are closely watching one key event this week, the upcoming U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. <a href="https://coinpedia.org/news/us-cpi-report-today-inflation-drops-to-2-4-in-january-bitcoin-reacts/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Last month’s CPI data</a> pushed the crypto market up by nearly 4%.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This time, traders are watching how <a href="https://coinpedia.org/news/why-bitcoin-ethereum-and-xrp-prices-are-not-crashing-today/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP</a> will react to the new CPI data.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-expect-from-the-february-cpi-report">What to Expect from the February CPI Report</h2>
<p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the February 2026 CPI and Core CPI data this week. Economists expect inflation to come in around 2.5%, slightly higher than January’s 2.4%. Core CPI is also expected to stay near 2.5%.</p>
<p>These numbers show that inflation is slowly cooling but is still above the Federal Reserve target of 2%. Because of this, the Fed may delay cutting interest rates. Some officials want rate cuts, while others prefer to keep rates unchanged.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the CME Group <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">FedWatch Tool</a> shows about a 95% chance that rates will stay near 3.5% – 3.75%.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img width="800" height="817" src="https://image.coinpedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/09113952/Screenshot-2026-03-09-113929.png" alt="CME fed watch tool for FED interest rate">
</figure>
<p>Higher interest rates usually reduce money flowing into markets, which can put pressure on risk assets like cryptocurrencies</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-could-bitcoin-ethereum-and-xrp-react-to-the-cpi-report">How Could Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP React to the CPI Report?</h3>
<p>Crypto markets have shown strong reactions to inflation data in recent months. On February 13, when January CPI came in at 2.4%, slightly below expectations, Bitcoin quickly rallied about 5%, jumping from a daily low of $65,889 to nearly $70,500.</p>
<p>At the same time, Ethereum and XRP also reacted strongly. Both coins gained around 5% to 8% in a single day, with Ethereum moving above $2,100 and XRP trading near $1.55.</p>
<p>Now, the February CPI data is expected to come in at 2.5%, slightly higher than January’s 2.4% reading. Because of this, traders are closely watching how the market will react this time.</p>
<p>However, there is also some caution in the ETF market. Over the last two days, Bitcoin ETFs <a href="https://farside.co.uk/btc/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">recorded outflows</a> of $227.9 million and $348.9 million, which could affect short-term price momentum.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-scenarios-for-crypto-after-cpi">Possible Scenarios for Crypto After CPI</h3>
<p>If inflation comes in lower than expected, analysts believe Bitcoin could attempt another move toward $70,000, with Ethereum and XRP likely following.</p>
<p>However, if CPI surprises to the upside, traders may fear that high interest rates will remain longer, potentially pushing Bitcoin toward a lower support level of $60K.</p>
<p>As of now, Bitcoin is trading near $67,179, while Ethereum sits around $1,980, and XRP is hovering close to $1.35.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs">FAQs</h2>
<div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block">
 <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1773049900503"><strong>When will the February 2026 U.S. CPI report be released?</strong>
  <p>The February 2026 U.S. CPI report will be released on <strong>March 11, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)</strong> by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.</p>
 </div>
 <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1773049909973"><strong><strong>How does the CPI report affect Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP prices?</strong></strong>
  <p>CPI shows inflation trends. Lower inflation can boost crypto prices, while higher inflation may pressure Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP due to expectations of higher interest rates.</p>
 </div>
 <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1773049935537"><strong><strong>Why do higher interest rates usually impact cryptocurrency markets?</strong></strong>
  <p>Higher rates reduce liquidity and make safer assets more attractive, which can lower demand for risk assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies.</p>
 </div>
</div>

What’s Next for Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Price Ahead of the U.S. CPI Report?

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