Australian households are opening their wallets again, and it's catching attention across financial markets. Recent data shows consumer spending jumped significantly, throwing a curveball at those expecting rate cuts anytime soon.

The surge in retail activity suggests the economy might be running hotter than central bankers hoped. Markets are now recalibrating—rate hike probabilities are climbing as traders digest what this spending spree means for inflation targets.

For risk assets, including crypto, this matters. Tighter monetary policy typically means less liquidity sloshing around, which historically pressures speculative investments. Keep an eye on how the Reserve Bank responds to these numbers in their next policy meeting.