One Inflation Report Could Send Altcoins Flying or Crashing: 5 Cryptos Worth Risking Before the Fed’s Next Move

• The September CPI report on Wednesday is the final inflation reading before the Fed’s October 28 decision.
• CME FedWatch showed about a 19% chance of an October hike as of October 9.
• Each of the five tokens has a different use case and trading profile, so reactions to the data may vary.

A heavy week of economic data is being watched by crypto and stock traders. The September Consumer Price Index (CPI) report is due Wednesday, and it is the last inflation reading before the Federal Reserve’s October 28 meeting. Because rate expectations often move riskier assets, altcoins such as SOL, XRP, HYPE, ZEC and SUI are being tracked closely.

The Fed raised interest rates in September, the first increase since 2023. A second hike within two months is now being weighed by some market participants. Higher-than-expected inflation is usually read as a sign that tight policy may continue, while softer figures are taken to mean that further increases may not be needed.

As of October 9, traders priced about a 19% chance of an October hike, according to CME FedWatch. That level suggests most participants expect rates to be held steady. Still, such odds can change within hours if the CPI numbers differ from forecasts. Trading may be thinner early in the week because of the bond market holiday, and thin liquidity can exaggerate price moves.