Gold steadied near $4,155 an ounce at the start of October after declining 0.6%, as a cooler-than-expected U.S. inflation reading prompted traders to reduce bets on another Federal Reserve interest-rate increase this month. Earlier August PCE data showed the price index rising 0.3% month-over-month and 3.4% year-over-year, while core PCE increased 0.2% monthly and 3.0% annually. The softer inflation backdrop could support gold, Bitcoin and other risk assets by reducing pressure for further monetary tightening, although elevated U.S. Treasury yields remain a constraint. Altcoin exchange inflows also reached their highest level since October 2025, pointing to possible near-term profit-taking and selling pressure in crypto markets.