Bitcoin declined by about 1.2% within minutes following the release of the October inflation data on Tuesday, briefly dipping to $73,400 on Coinbase before stabilizing in the high $73,000s.
US inflation data beats predictions
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported at 8:30 a.m. ET that the Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% for October, seasonally adjusted, compared to a 0.6% gain in September. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, increased 0.3%, matching its readings from August and September.
These statistics came in a tenth of a percentage point above the consensus forecasts from economists, who generally expected a 0.3% rise in headline CPI and 0.2% in core CPI. The Cleveland Fed’s inflation nowcast had also anticipated both figures to be closer to 0.2%.
Both headline and core CPI exceeded economists’ expectations by a tenth of a percentage point, with core CPI showing a 0.3% increase and headline CPI up 0.4% for October.
The energy index increased 0.7% after posting a 5.2% surge in September, while food prices rose 0.5%. Shelter costs climbed 0.3%, accounting for more than three-tenths of October’s overall increase. Used car and truck prices dropped 1.2% during the same period.
BTC market reacts to inflation release
In the thirty minutes leading up to the data release, bitcoin traded between approximately $74,120 and $74,360 on Coinbase’s BTC-USD market. As soon as the report was published, within a five-minute window beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET, bitcoin ranged from a high of $74,599 to a low of $73,400, finishing that interval at $73,890.
Trading activity spiked in this brief window, with volume reaching about 483 BTC, a sharp increase from roughly 36 BTC registered in the previous five minutes. At 9:06 a.m. ET, bitcoin was valued near $73,774, showing a decrease of about 1.4% compared to its price 24 hours prior.
The BLS indicated that shelter, energy, and food prices accounted for much of the October inflation increase, while used vehicle prices slipped further.
Following sharp volatility after the CPI release, traders looked for signals on future monetary policy direction and its potential impact on digital assets.
Rapid price changes like those seen after key inflation announcements can require close monitoring. CryptoAppsy’s real-time charts and smart price alert features allow users to track sudden moves in assets such as bitcoin, especially in reaction to high-impact economic releases. These capabilities help investors stay informed and respond to events that might drive volatility in the crypto markets.
No annual inflation comparison published
This CPI report did not include 12-month inflation rates for either headline or core metrics. Due to a lapse in government funding in 2025, the agency was unable to survey prices for October 2025, leaving most categories without a year-on-year comparison in the current release.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to publish the next set of inflation data, covering November, on December 10.
