Next week, the financial world is about to stage the most thrilling event of the year!

The Fed is highly likely to fire the first shot of a rate cut, but this time it’s different—not only are internal members at odds, but what’s even crazier is that on the day the decision is announced, all major global futures markets are collectively "lying flat"! Can you imagine how wild the volatility will be?

**Timing is critical: the key 72 minutes in the early hours of Thursday**

At 3:00 AM Beijing time on Thursday, the interest rate decision will be released. Half an hour later, Powell will hold a press conference.

A 25 basis point cut? The market is pricing in an 84% probability. This is the first shift after a violent rate-hiking cycle, a historic turning point.

But here’s the issue—the Fed’s internal split is rare. Of the 12 voting members, 5 have explicitly opposed or questioned a rate cut. The last time we saw this level of division was 2019.

What does this mean? Every word Powell utters will be loaded. Will he soothe the markets with dovish talk, or maintain a hawkish stance? This press conference will directly determine the pace and scope of rate cuts in 2025.

**Vacuum explosion: markets brace for the storm in a "blackout"**

Here’s the most outrageous part—on December 12, US and European stock markets will be closed. CME’s gold, crude oil, forex, and equity index futures will all be suspended for the entire day.

Just picture this: at 3:00 AM, the Fed drops a bombshell, but all the most liquid futures markets are closed. All that market emotion will have nowhere to go, building up until it explodes at Friday’s open.

Spot gold and forex markets could see extreme moves. What about the crypto market? With its 24/7 trading advantage, it will have to absorb the entire shockwave this time.

**Three critical points to watch**

Don’t just focus on whether rates are cut—these details are even more crucial:

1. Powell’s tone—Is he more concerned about a hard economic landing, or a resurgence of inflation? A single word could send gold swinging by $50.

2. The dot plot's secrets—How many cuts do committee members project for 2025? Will it be aggressive easing, or a slow trickle? This number is more important than the immediate rate cut decision.

3. Friday’s retaliatory volatility—When liquidity returns, all the pent-up emotion from the previous day will erupt instantly. Assets like ETH and BTC, which trade 24/7, may have already priced in expectations—will there be a reversal after the US markets reopen on Friday?

Buckle up—it’s going to be a sleepless week.