The U.S. capacity utilization rate climbed to 76.3% in December, slightly edging out the previous month's 76.0% and matching forecasts. This modest uptick signals steady industrial production amid ongoing economic activity. For crypto investors monitoring macro trends, capacity utilization offers clues about inflation pressures and Federal Reserve policy direction—both critical to understanding asset allocation in volatile markets. When factories run hotter, wage-price spirals can intensify, potentially keeping rate expectations elevated. Conversely, slack capacity suggests deflationary risks. Watch this metric as part of the broader economic puzzle shaping digital asset cycles.