The annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for US Social Security benefits rolls out this week, affecting 2026 payouts. This policy shift matters for traders watching macroeconomic headwinds—higher benefit disbursements signal inflation pressure and government spending dynamics that ripple through asset markets. When buying power adjustments increase, consumer spending patterns shift, credit conditions tighten, and capital flows get reallocated across risk assets. For crypto participants, these fiscal milestones are worth tracking alongside Fed policy and treasury yields, since they influence the broader liquidity environment and retail demand patterns that affect everything from BTC dominance to altcoin seasonality.