Looking ahead to 2026, India's Reserve Bank faces a peculiar headwind: navigating the unpredictability of a certain US administration. The policy whiplash from across the Pacific could seriously complicate monetary decisions in Mumbai. When tariff threats and trade rhetoric shift daily, how do you calibrate interest rates or manage currency stability? It's not just about data anymore—it's about reading political tea leaves. Central bankers thrive on predictability; erratic policy signals from Washington throw that calculus into chaos. For emerging markets especially, this creates a minefield. Do you defend your currency aggressively or let it float? Tighten when inflation spikes from import costs, or ease to support growth amid external shocks? The traditional playbook gets messier when geopolitical noise drowns out economic signals. And honestly? That uncertainty ripples through global risk assets, crypto included. When fiat policy gets volatile, alternative assets start looking more interesting to institutional players hedging macro chaos.