As the week of August 11-18 concludes, the cryptocurrency market maintains its strength, showcasing robust performance. Bitcoin 
$91,967 reached an all-time high of $124,457 on August 14, while Ethereum 
$3,139 tested its historic peak from 2021, reaching the $4,788 region. The upcoming week presents potential price influences stemming from peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, FOMC meeting minutes, weekly unemployment claims, and a speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Analysts emphasize the potential for increased market volatility with this schedule.
Focus on Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, August 18. Following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump hinted at a peace agreement instead of a ceasefire. Such an accord could rapidly transform global risk perceptions, given its potential to end a conflict lasting over three and a half years.
A decline in geopolitical tensions may pave the way for capital to move towards riskier assets. The strengthening hope for peace could increase interest in Bitcoin and altcoins. Consequently, in the short-term, news flow will be decisive. Variations in the tone of statements can trigger sharp and swift directional price movements.
The Other Three Major Headings of the Coming Week
On Wednesday, August 20, detailed minutes from the FOMC meeting held on July 29-30 will be released. On Friday, August 22, Fed Chair Jerome Powell will deliver insights on the U.S. economy and review the policy framework. Powell’s speech will be closely watched for clues about the timing of the next rate cut. The cryptocurrency market typically experiences significant fluctuations before both the FOMC minutes and Powell’s address, making expectation management critical.
In between the two Fed-related events, on Thursday, August 21, the weekly Unemployment Claims data will be announced. Last week, claims fell from 227,000 to 224,000. For this week, Investing.com predicts an increase of 3,000. If this expectation is met, it could indicate rising job cuts due to macro and micro uncertainties, suppressing risk appetite and triggering sharp reactions in cryptocurrency prices.
