Next week features key events impacting crypto and macroeconomics, including Coinbase-Circle's USDC collaboration and FOMC minutes release.
Upcoming Financial Highlights for the Week Starting August 17
Next week is poised to be eventful in the crypto and macroeconomic spheres, with significant developments such as the Coinbase and Circle USDC partnership, the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes, and ongoing shifts in oil prices.
The FOMC minutes, which will be published on August 19, are expected to shed light on the Federal Reserve's outlook regarding interest rates as it tries to manage inflation without triggering a recession. Adam Posen from the Peterson Institute estimates there is a 25% chance of an interest rate hike in September, suggesting changes may not happen until December, despite forecasts indicating rising inflation in early 2027.
Moreover, geopolitical factors are likely to contribute to market volatility and impact oil pricing, while high-interest rates may deter investment in riskier assets like cryptocurrencies.
In the European Union, a critical regulatory deadline will occur on August 23, compelling operators to cease transactions with 14 identified cryptocurrency platforms.
What to Expect
(All times in ET)
- Crypto Events
- August 18: Coinbase and Circle's agreement on USDC will enter a three-year renewal phase, focusing on revenue sharing.
- August 23: The EU's ban on transactions with 14 specified crypto-asset service providers will take effect.
- Macro Indicators
- August 17, 8:30 a.m.: Canada’s Consumer Price Index YoY for July is forecasted at 2.6%, down from 2.8%.
- August 18, 9:15 a.m.: U.S. Industrial Production MoM for July is predicted at 0.3%, compared to 0.1% previously.
- August 19, 2 a.m.: U.K. Headline CPI YoY for July is expected at 3.0%, an increase from 2.6%.
- August 19, 5 a.m.: Euro area inflation for July is anticipated at 2.9%, slightly higher than the previous 2.8%.
- August 19, 2 p.m.: U.S. FOMC Minutes from the July 28–29 meeting will be released.
- August 20, 8:30 a.m.: Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending August 15 are estimated at 201K, a decrease from 209K.
- August 20, 7:30 p.m.: Japan Headline CPI YoY for July is expected to rise to 1.8% from 1.6%.
- August 21, 2 a.m.: U.K. Retail Sales MoM for July is projected at 1.0%.
- August 21, 4 a.m.: Euro Area S&P Global Composite PMI Flash for August is estimated at 51.6.
- August 21, 9:45 a.m.: U.S. S&P Global Composite PMI Flash for August is expected to be 53.2, down from 54.5.
- Earnings Reports
- August 17: BitFuFu (FUFU), pre-market, $0.01.
- August 18: Canaan (CAN), pre-market, -$0.14.
- August 18: BTCS Inc (BTCS), post-market results will be announced.
Token Governance and Events
- Voting Initiatives
- Compound is voting on proposals to adjust deprecated market rates to zero and implement Layer 2 security enhancements.
- Frax Finance is currently conducting votes on integrating new yield strategies.
- ShapeShift DAO is transitioning its staking program and offering temporary revenue increases to incentivize changes.
- Rocket Pool will decide on switching their signaling platform to reduce costs.
- GnosisDAO is evaluating a proposal to shift to an Ethereum rollup setup.
- Decentraland DAO is voting on a governance framework and appeals process.
- THORSwap is considering a token migration plan within its governance vote.
- Token Unlocks
- August 17: Aster will unlock 1.8% of its circulating supply, valued at $28.3 million.
- August 18: Official Trump will unlock 4.1% of its supply, estimated at $40 million.
- August 20: LayerZero will unlock 4.5% of its supply, worth $24.8 million.
- August 20: Kaito will unlock 6.2% of its supply, valued at $11.7 million.
- August 21: Avalanche is set to unlock 0.7% of its supply, estimated at $23.1 million.
- August 21: Morpho will unlock 3.9% of its supply, worth $22.7 million.
- August 21: Akedo Games will unlock 4.9% of its supply, valued at $14.1 million.
Conferences
- August 17–20: Wyoming Blockchain Symposium 2026 (Wyoming)
- August 20–21: Coinfest Asia 2026 (Bali)
