CRYPTO SLIDES AHEAD OF KEY U.S. DATA Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies fell as investors turned cautious ahead of major U.S. economic reports on jobs and inflation. Analysts say markets are in consolidation mode, waiting for clarity on interest rates. Demand for downside protection in crypto-linked stocks like Coinbase and MicroStrategy is rising. Bitcoin fell 2.4% to $67,017, while Ether dropped 2.7% to $1,953.(*Walter Bloomberg)