Lower-income American consumers are signaling distress at unprecedented levels. According to Financial Times reporting, consumer sentiment metrics have hit record lows for this demographic segment. This trend carries significant weight for broader markets—when purchasing power contracts among lower-income cohorts, it typically foreshadows broader economic slowdown and shifts in investment risk appetite. Such sentiment deterioration often correlates with increased volatility in risk assets and changing capital allocation strategies. For crypto investors monitoring macroeconomic cycles, this data point warrants attention as an early indicator of potential demand destruction and portfolio rotation patterns ahead.