Economic Calendar 8.18–8.24: Powell’s Upcoming Monetary Policy Insights, Brazil’s Bitcoin Reserve Exploration, and Nearly $250 Million in Token Unlocks

As BTC hits a new high and ETH surges past $4,700, the crypto market reflects a mix of optimism and caution. Last week's PPI data triggered a short-term market pullback, tempering the enthusiasm sparked by Bitcoin and Ethereum's price rallies.

This week, all eyes are on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech on August 22, which could provide crucial insights into the future of monetary policy. Meanwhile, Brazil is making headlines as it explores the possibility of adopting Bitcoin as part of its national strategic reserve.

Adding to the market dynamics, nearly $250 million worth of token unlocks are set to occur this week, including major projects such as Fasttoken, LayerZero, and ZKsync.

August 18

• Thailand will launch the TouristDigiPay program, allowing foreign tourists to exchange cryptocurrencies for Thai baht to make payments.

• Binance Wallet will host the TGE for Rice AI (RICE) from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM UTC.

• OKB will upgrade its smart contract, removing minting and burning functions.

• Binance Alpha will introduce Reservoir (DAM), enabling eligible users to claim airdrops.

• Coinbase Derivatives will launch nano XRP and SOL perpetual futures for U.S. traders.

Token Unlocks

• Fasttoken (FTN): Unlocks approximately 20 million tokens, 2.08% of circulating supply, valued at ~$91.40 million.

• Melania Meme (MELANIA): Unlocks approximately 26.25 million tokens, 5.60% of circulating supply, valued at ~$5.70 million.

August 19

• Deribit will launch USDC-settled linear Bitcoin and Ethereum options after surpassing $185 billion in monthly trading volume.

August 20

• Brazil will hold a hearing to discuss its Bitcoin strategic reserve policy.

Token Unlocks

• LayerZero (ZRO): Unlocks approximately 25.71 million tokens, 8.53% of circulating supply, valued at ~$56.60 million.

• KAITO (KAITO): Unlocks approximately 23.35 million tokens, 10.87% of circulating supply, valued at ~$26.20 million.

• ZKsync (ZK): Unlocks approximately 25.71 million tokens, 8.53% of circulating supply, valued at ~$56.60 million.

August 21

• MicroBit Bitcoin Spot ETF and MicroBit Ethereum Spot ETF will debut on HKEX in Hong Kong with an annual management fee of 0.5% of net asset value.

• The U.S. will release initial jobless claims data for the week ending August 16.

• Federal Reserve Governor Waller will speak at Wyoming's blockchain seminar.

August 22

• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will deliver a speech at the Jackson Hole Global Central Bank Annual Meeting.

August 23

• The U.S. Department of Labor will release initial jobless claims data and the August Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index at 8:30 PM UTC.

• Preliminary values for August's S&P Global Manufacturing and Services PMI will be released at 9:45 PM UTC.

Token Unlocks

• SOON (SOON): Unlocks approximately 41.88 million tokens, 13.04% of circulating supply, valued at ~$12.10 million.

Token Unlocks Summary

Aug 18

• Fasttoken: 20M $FTN, ~$91.4M, at 8 AM UTC

• Melania Meme: 26.25M $MELANIA, ~$5.7M, at 8 AM UTC

Aug 20

• LayerZero: 25.71M $ZRO, ~$56.6M, at 7 PM UTC

• KAITO: 23.35M $KAITO, ~$26.2M, at 8 PM UTC

• ZKsync: 25.71M $ZK, ~$56.6M, at 7 PM UTC

Aug 23

• SOON: 41.88M $SOON, ~$12.1M, at 4:30 PM UTC