This is likely to be an impactful week for the crypto market, as investors focus on key macroeconomic events.
The crypto market remained strong last week with Bitcoin (BTC) hitting a new all-time high and Ethereum (ETH) getting very close to its 2021 peak.
Bitcoin reached an ATH of $124,457 on Aug. 14. Ethereum touched the $4,788 zone.
However, financial markets, including crypto assets, are likely to enter a highly volatile zone this week due to four key events that analysts and investors are closely watching.
Peace Talks
The US President Donald Trump is expected to meet with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, Aug. 18.
After meeting the Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump hinted at a potential peace deal instead of a ceasefire. This will end the three and a half year war in Ukraine.
The end of the war will likely boost market sentiment for investing in speculative assets like altcoins and meme coins.
President Donald J. Trump speaks by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aboard Air Force One on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
(Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok) pic.twitter.com/xUTh4U63gz
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 17, 2025
Fed Talks Crypto
On Wednesday, Aug. 20, the Federal Open Market Committee Minutes — a detailed record of the discussions and decisions made during the July 29-30 FOMC meeting — will be released to the public.
Two days later, on Aug. 22, the US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell is set to make a speech on the economic situation in the country and disclose the Fed’s plans and framework review.
Powell is also expected to hint at when the next interest rate cut will be.
Usually, the crypto market enters high volatility ahead of the FOMC Minutes and Powell’s speech — two major events for Wall Street and American investors.
Jobless Claims
In between the two Fed events — FOMC Minutes and Powell’s speech — the weekly US Initial Jobless Claims report will be released on Aug. 21.
The jobless claims decreased by 3,000 — from 227,000 to 224,000 — last week. However, the number is expected to rise by 3,000 once again this week, according to data from Investing.com.
If the jobless claims increase, as expected, it will hint at a rise in layoffs due to both macro and micro uncertainty.
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