December CPI report just dropped, and the numbers tell an interesting story for market watchers. Food prices climbed 0.7% month-over-month in December, while year-over-year inflation in the food category hit 3.1%. These persistent price increases in essentials continue shaping monetary policy expectations and broader market sentiment. For crypto investors, tracking inflation trends matters—persistent food and commodity price pressures feed into the larger inflation narrative that influences Fed policy, bond yields, and ultimately risk asset allocation decisions. The December CPI data adds another layer to understanding whether we're truly seeing disinflation or just temporary relief.