This week promises to be eventful for the cryptocurrency sector as various significant catalysts come into play. With ETHDenver drawing builders to Denver, a pivotal vote from a major DAO regarding supply, and macroeconomic events in the US as liquidity resumes post-holiday, here’s what to keep an eye on:
Ethereum (Feb. 18): ETHDenver Kicks Off
ETHDenver’s main programming and opening ceremony are set for Wednesday, February 18, promising a multi-day event filled with a packed schedule across multiple stages and side events. This gathering serves as a live evaluation of the Ethereum stack, offering insights into tooling, Layer 2/app user experience, account-abstraction product choices, and the ecosystem’s current priorities. This will not just be a single catalyst; rather, expect a wealth of information to emerge as partnerships are soft-launched, roadmaps clarified, and various political dynamics play out during Q&A sessions before analysts dissect the outcomes.
Jupiter (Feb. 17): JUP’s ‘Pause Emissions’ Vote Goes Live
On February 17, Jupiter DAO plans to present a critical query to its holders: should they pause emissions and eliminate dilution, or maintain incentives as the default cost of growth? This proposal transcends mere optics; it addresses net emissions, including team-reserve flows and the handling of liquidity events, making it a significant token-policy decision that weighs near-term distribution against tighter supply discipline. If passed, this vote will send a clear signal regarding what Jupiter anticipates the market will favor during this cycle.
Hyperliquid (Feb. 18): Second Airdrop Chatter
Expectations surrounding Hyperliquid’s potential ‘Season 2’ airdrop continue to stir interest as discussions ramp up for February 18. Although nothing has been officially confirmed by the team as of yet, traders remain hopeful. The anticipation stems from November 2024’s airdrop, which generated considerable mindshare and allocations. Until Hyperliquid provides solid details—be it through an announcement, governance post, or timeline—traders should approach this as positioning risk rather than a certain event.
Macro Events to Watch This Week For Bitcoin and Crypto
Monday (Feb. 16): Presidents’ Day Shuts US Markets
With the NYSE and Nasdaq closing for Presidents’ Day, market liquidity will be thinner, which often leads to crypto’s overreactions to minor pushes. The crucial timing for a lot of US participants is Tuesday, marking the “real” week start and compressing reaction windows ahead of essential Fed minutes and Friday’s inflation print.
Wednesday (Feb. 18): FOMC Minutes Hit
The minutes from the Fed’s late-January meeting, releasing on Wednesday, will be scrutinized for insights into internal disagreements and how officials perceive inflation persistence versus labor-market cooling. Traders will focus on the potential shifts in the rate path, observing if “higher for longer” is considered the base case or merely one of many possibilities.
Friday (Feb. 20): PCE Inflation Print
This Friday, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) will release the Personal Income and Outlays report, including headline and core PCE, which is favored by the Fed as an inflation gauge, just in time for the close of this holiday-shortened week. For crypto, the emphasis isn’t typically on the figures alone but rather on their repercussions: timing of rate cuts, real yields, and whether macro funds choose to increase risk heading into the weekend. A surprise in the PCE numbers could dramatically influence the weekly close and set the tone for the following stretch.
Friday (Feb. 20): Supreme Court Tariffs Decision?
February 20 may also be a significant date as a potential opinion day concerning the Supreme Court case linked to President Trump’s tariff policy. While markets may not require a comprehensive rewrite to react, they will be looking for direction. If there’s any indication that the tariff framework remains intact or experiences adjustments, it could have significant implications for rates, the dollar, and overall risk assessment.
Although the cryptocurrency market won’t respond directly to the ruling, its connections to broader economic factors are evident. As liquidity and macro timing play crucial roles this week, any shifts in tariffs and their effects on growth and inflation expectations are likely to ripple through crypto assets.
As of press time, the total crypto market cap is reported at $2.32 trillion.
