According to The Kobeissi Letter, 67% of US consumers now expect higher unemployment over the next 12 months, marking the highest level since 2008. This figure has more than doubled in the past five months, surpassing expectations seen during the 1981-82, 1990-91, and 2001 recessions (source: The Kobeissi Letter, May 26, 2025). For crypto traders, heightened unemployment fears could drive increased volatility in both traditional and digital asset markets as investors seek alternative hedges such as Bitcoin and stablecoins. Close monitoring of macroeconomic indicators is advised, as shifts in consumer sentiment may influence liquidity and risk appetite in the cryptocurrency space.

According to The Kobeissi Letter, 67% of US consumers now expect higher unemployment in the next 12 months, reaching the highest level since 2008 (source: The Kobeissi Letter on Twitter, May 26, 2025). This rapid increase, more than doubling in the past five months, signals rising economic pessimism. Historically, such sentiment has led to increased volatility in both stock and cryptocurrency markets as traders anticipate lower risk appetite and liquidity. For crypto traders, this shift may result in heightened price swings and potential capital rotation into stablecoins or defensive assets as investors seek to hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty.

According to The Kobeissi Letter on Twitter, 44% of US consumers now expect higher unemployment within the next 12 months, marking the highest level since 2020. The New York Fed reports this figure has surged by 10 percentage points in just two months, representing the second-largest two-month increase on record. Such a sharp shift in consumer sentiment may signal economic uncertainty, often leading to increased volatility in both traditional and cryptocurrency markets as investors seek safe-haven assets or adjust risk exposure. Crypto traders should closely monitor macroeconomic sentiment indicators, as rising unemployment expectations can influence liquidity, risk appetite, and capital flows into digital assets. (Source: The Kobeissi Letter, NY Fed, May 16, 2025)