US Inflation Falls to 1.81% in Real-Time Data as Bitcoin Surges Above $91K

• US real-time inflation drops to 1.81%, easing pressure on risk assets and boosting optimism for crypto in 2026.
  
• Bitcoin jumps above $91K as falling inflation strengthens hopes for lower rates and improved market liquidity.
  
• The broader crypto market reclaims $3.11T, with XRP above $2 and Ethereum back over $3,100.
  

A new US inflation update is drawing attention in crypto markets as Bitcoin climbs back above $91,000 for the first time in 2026.

Real-time data shows inflation dropped notably at the start of the year, raising hopes that pressure on risk assets like cryptocurrencies may be easing sooner than expected.

Crypto influencer Crypto Rover shared data from Truflation showing US inflation at 1.81% year over year as of January 3, 2026. This is the lowest level since August 2025 and represents a rapid drop rather than a gradual decline. The chart suggests prices for goods and services are cooling faster than many expected.

Related: Bitcoin Price Prediction 2026: Strategic Reserve & CLARITY Act Target $150K-$250K

Gap Emerges Between Truflation and Official CPI Data

Notably, the Truflation reading contrasts with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, which placed inflation at 2.7% for November 2025. This difference highlights the lag in official CPI data, which is published monthly, compared with Truflation’s continuous, real-time updates.

Market participants often track both figures, but real-time indicators are watched for early signals of shifts in economic conditions.

Tariff-Driven Inflation Fails to Materialize So Far

Another key point is that inflation has not risen as expected following the 2025 tariff policies on imports from China and Mexico. Many analysts warned these tariffs would push prices higher, but so far the data does not support that outcome.

Instead, prices appear to be leveling off, which weakens the argument that trade policy will drive inflation higher in the near term.

Related: Bitcoin Price Prediction: Descending Trendline Keeps Pressure On Buyers Into January 4

If inflation continues to fall, the Federal Reserve may face less pressure to keep interest rates elevated. For crypto markets, lower rates are typically positive because they improve liquidity and investor appetite for risk. 

While upcoming CPI reports will provide final confirmation, the sharp drop seen in real-time data is strengthening the view that economic conditions could become more favorable for digital assets in 2026.

Bitcoin and Crypto Prices in Strong Rebound

This development comes as Bitcoin reached $91,700 over the weekend, following a weekly price gain of 4.02%. BTC ended 2025 below the $90,000 level at $88,731, representing roughly a 30% decline from its all-time high. 

While Bitcoin underperformed in the final quarter of 2025, optimism is growing that Q1 2026 will be promising, with some analysts calling for a new peak around $150,000. This latest economic data is reinforcing that outlook.

Meanwhile, the ongoing Bitcoin rebound has improved the broader crypto market’s position, which has now reclaimed the $3.11 trillion threshold after gaining 2% over the past day.

Among the top-performing altcoins are XRP, now trading above the $2 level, and Ethereum, which has also moved back above the $3,100 mark.