Economic Calendar & Macro Data
Track macroeconomic events and economic indicators that impact crypto markets.
Data Sources
1. FRED API (Federal Reserve Economic Data)
https://api.stlouisfed.org/fred/
Free API key: register at https://fred.stlouisfed.org/docs/api/api_key.html
If FRED_API_KEY is set, use it. Otherwise, note the data is unavailable and suggest the user register for a free key.
Key Series
| Series ID | Description |
|---|---|
FEDFUNDS | Federal Funds Effective Rate |
CPIAUCSL | Consumer Price Index (CPI) |
UNRATE | Unemployment Rate |
GDP | Gross Domestic Product |
DGS10 | 10-Year Treasury Yield |
DGS2 | 2-Year Treasury Yield |
T10Y2Y | 10Y-2Y Spread (yield curve) |
M2SL | M2 Money Supply |
WALCL | Fed Balance Sheet Total Assets |
DEXUSEU | USD/EUR Exchange Rate |
Endpoints
Latest observation:
GET /fred/series/observations?series_id={id}&sort_order=desc&limit=1&api_key={key}&file_type=json
Historical data:
GET /fred/series/observations?series_id={id}&observation_start={YYYY-MM-DD}&api_key={key}&file_type=json
Series metadata:
GET /fred/series?series_id={id}&api_key={key}&file_type=json
2. Finnhub Economic Calendar
https://finnhub.io/api/v1/calendar/economic
Free API key: register at https://finnhub.io. Set FINNHUB_API_KEY.
Endpoint
GET /calendar/economic?from={YYYY-MM-DD}&to={YYYY-MM-DD}&token={key}
Returns upcoming economic events with:
event— event namecountry— country codeimpact—high,medium,lowactual/estimate/prev— data valuestime— event timestamp
Key Events for Crypto
High Impact
| Event | Frequency | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| FOMC Rate Decision | 8x/year | Rate hikes → risk-off → crypto down |
| CPI (Inflation) | Monthly | High CPI → more hikes expected |
| Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) | Monthly | Strong jobs → hawkish Fed |
| GDP | Quarterly | Recession fears → flight to safety |
| PCE Price Index | Monthly | Fed's preferred inflation gauge |
Medium Impact
| Event | Frequency | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| PMI (Manufacturing) | Monthly | Economic health indicator |
| Retail Sales | Monthly | Consumer spending strength |
| Jobless Claims | Weekly | Labor market pulse |
| ISM Services | Monthly | Service sector health |
Impact on Crypto
General patterns (not financial advice):
- Rate cuts / dovish Fed → bullish for crypto (more liquidity)
- Rate hikes / hawkish Fed → bearish for crypto (less liquidity)
- CPI above expectations → bearish (more hikes coming)
- CPI below expectations → bullish (rate cuts possible)
- Strong jobs data → mixed (good economy but hawkish Fed)
- Yield curve inversion → recession signal, initially bearish then bullish
Usage Notes
- Always note that macro-to-crypto correlation is not guaranteed
- Present event times in the user's timezone when possible
- For FOMC meetings, note both the date and the press conference time
- Combine with
crypto-newsfor full market context - If no API keys are available, summarize what data would be accessible and suggest registration
Example Interactions
User: "When is the next Fed meeting?" → Check Finnhub calendar for FOMC events, report date and current rate expectations
User: "What's the current CPI?" → Fetch FRED series CPIAUCSL, report latest reading and YoY change
User: "Any major economic events this week?" → Fetch Finnhub calendar for current week, filter by high impact, list events
User: "How does the yield curve look?" → Fetch DGS10, DGS2, T10Y2Y from FRED, report current spread and inversion status