Bitcoin faces an inflation warning beneath steady US consumer sentiment

A University of Michigan study published Oct. 23 finds that Americans’ long-run inflation expectations remain above comparable 2019 and 2024 readings. That persistence could complicate easier financing conditions for Bitcoin even as the headline consumer sentiment index barely moves. The concern is that repeated price shocks can leave consumers expecting inflation to persist. If those expectations change spending behavior, bringing inflation down could become harder, narrowing the room for US monetary policy to ease. Michigan’s final October survey put sentiment at 48, versus 48.1 in September.