West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled at roughly $90.31 per barrel on May 25, marking a 6.51% single-day drop and the first close below the $90 line since May 7. For crypto investors who’ve spent the last few weeks watching energy-driven inflation anxiety weigh on risk assets, this is the kind of headline that actually matters.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, also tumbled to around $96.71 on the same session. Both contracts have been sliding steadily, with WTI down approximately 6.28% over the prior month.

What’s driving the decline

Three forces converged to push oil lower, and none of them are particularly surprising on their own. Together, though, they packed a punch.

First, disappointing…