Recreation spending just hit a major milestone. The recreation index climbed 1.2% in December—the biggest single-month jump since this benchmark was created back in 1993. That's a pretty significant move.

Here's why it matters: the recreation index is a core piece of the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI), measuring price swings across entertainment and leisure goods—everything from TVs and audio gear to streaming services and concert tickets. When this index spikes, it signals real shifts in consumer purchasing power and inflation pressure in this sector.

For crypto markets, macro data like this tends to ripple through sentiment. Stronger CPI readings usually mean tighter monetary conditions down the line, which historically weighs on risk assets.