U.S. Jobs Data and Ethereum Dencun Upgrade: Key Crypto Market Events This Week

The cryptocurrency market braces for a pivotal week shaped by major macroeconomic and blockchain events. The focal point is the upcoming U.S. February jobs report (Non-Farm Payrolls), a key inflation indicator for the Federal Reserve. Strong employment data could signal sustained high interest rates, potentially applying bearish pressure on risk assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Conversely, weaker-than-expected figures might boost market sentiment. Simultaneously, the Ethereum network is set for its highly anticipated Dencun upgrade, scheduled for activation on March 13. This major protocol enhancement, featuring proto-danksharding (EIP-4844), aims to drastically reduce layer-2 transaction fees, a bullish development for the Ethereum ecosystem and its scalability. Traders and investors are closely monitoring these dual catalysts, which are expected to drive significant volatility and set the tone for market direction in the near term.