US job creation stumbled in December with only 50,000 positions added—falling short of the projected 66,000. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dipped to 4.4%, beating expectations of 4.5%, while November's figures were also trimmed from 4.6% down to 4.5%. The softer employment picture, coupled with easing jobless metrics, signals the Fed is likely to hold steady on rate cuts rather than continue their previous cutting cycle. These economic crosscurrents matter for crypto traders watching how central bank policy shifts might reshape market liquidity.