December's U.S. average hourly earnings just came in hot. The year-over-year growth hit 3.8%, crushing both the forecast of 3.6% and the previous month's 3.5%. That's a beat, and the market's definitely noticing. Higher wage growth usually signals stronger inflation persistence, which could keep central bank rate expectations sticky. For crypto traders, this matters because it shapes Fed policy paths and overall risk appetite. When employment data surprises to the upside like this, it typically adds pressure to growth assets short-term but can also signal economic resilience longer out.