Stock market today: Nasdaq, Dow, S&P 500 hit pause on rally as jobs data looms, bitcoin tops $100,000

US stock futures stalled on Thursday as investors waited for fresh jobs data and bitcoin (BTC-USD) posted new all-time highs above the key $100,000 milestone.

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F) and S&P 500 (ES=F) were little changed, signaling a pause in a record-setting rally that saw the Dow close above 45,000 for the first time. Contracts on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) hovered below the flat line.

Investors are counting down to Friday’s monthly jobs report for a reality check on Jerome Powell’s upbeat take on the strength of the US economy. While the Federal Reserve Chair said that means policymakers can move cautiously, he stopped short of challenging the market’s belief in a December rate cut.

Traders have slightly pared their bets on easing, pricing in a 74% chance the Fed will cut by 25 basis points on Dec. 18, per the CME FedWatch tool. That compares around 77% on Wednesday, and 67% a week ago.

A strong print in November’s nonfarm payrolls report on Friday could upend those bets. Thursday’s readings on Challenger job cuts in November and weekly initial jobless claims will set the stage for the report, the last major data point before the Fed’s meeting, which itself is the last before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Meanwhile, bitcoin (BTC-USD) rose to around $102,500 after breaking through the key $100,000 level late on Wednesday to continue a stunning rally driven by hopes for a crypto-friendly Trump administration. The token’s latest surge came after Trump picked Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission.