Definition ∞ ‘FOMC Anticipation’ refers to the market’s heightened attention and speculative positioning in advance of meetings held by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). This anticipation involves traders and investors analyzing economic data and making predictions about potential changes in monetary policy, such as interest rate adjustments. Such expectations can significantly influence asset prices, including digital assets, as markets attempt to price in future policy outcomes. It signifies a period of heightened sensitivity to macroeconomic signals.
Context ∞ The current discussion surrounding ‘FOMC Anticipation’ highlights its direct influence on risk asset valuations, including cryptocurrencies, as investors gauge the potential impact of Fed policy on liquidity and growth. A key debate involves the degree to which market expectations are accurately priced in versus the potential for surprise policy shifts. Critical future developments to watch for include the FOMC’s statements on inflation, employment, and future rate trajectories, and how these pronouncements are interpreted by the broader financial markets and the digital asset space specifically.