Investing.com– Bitcoin fell slightly in Asian trade on Tuesday, lagging gains in equity markets as caution over an upcoming U.S. inflation reading and heightened global geopolitical tensions kept traders averse to speculative assets.
The world’s largest crypto fell 0.2% to $91,894.6 by 00:33 ET (05:33 GMT).
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Bitcoin has struggled to make headway through late-2025 and early-2026, as sentiment towards crypto markets largely cooled. A growing focus on artificial intelligence and technology stocks also pulled capital away from the sector.
CPI data awaited for more rate cues; Fed jitters persist
Focus on Tuesday was squarely on upcoming U.S. consumer price index inflation data for December.
The print is expected to show headline CPI remaining steady at 2.7% annually, while core CPI is expected to have risen slightly.
Any signs of sticky inflation could give the Federal Reserve less impetus to cut interest rates in the coming months.
The Fed was also a major point of uncertainty for markets, after Chair Jerome Powell disclosed earlier in the week that he had received threats of legal action from the Department of Justice.
Powell said that while the threats were officially linked to an ongoing renovation of the Fed’s headquarters, he believed they were intended to pressure the central bank into acquiescing to Washington’s demands for lower interest rates.
Powell’s statement raised concerns over the Fed’s independence, especially as President Donald Trump prepares to announce his nominee for Powell’s successor. Trump has badgered the Fed to slash rates, and has publicly raged against Powell for not giving in to his demands.
Crypto price today: altcoins dither as geopolitics dent sentiment
Broader crypto prices largely retreated in line with Bitcoin, as appetite for speculative assets was also dulled by heightened geopolitical tensions across the globe.
Increased public unrest in Iran, coupled with fears of U.S. intervention in the country, rattled markets and drove up oil prices. In Asia, a diplomatic spat between China and Japan showed few signs of cooling.
This kept markets largely pinned to safe havens such as gold. Tech stocks also caught bids on continued optimism over artificial intelligence.
AI has been a major factor in curbing crypto’s tendency to track tech stocks, as the sector largely blew past Bitcoin in terms of returns in 2025.
Among other cryptos, world no.2 crypto Ether fell 0.7% to $3,136.69. XRP fell 0.7%, while BNB rose 0.2%.
Solana shed 2.1%, while Cardano fell 1.4%. Among meme tokens, Dogecoin fell 1.3%, while $TRUMP shed 1.5%.
