Data center boom fuels inflation concerns, complicates Fed policy decisions

The central bank of the United States, which sets US interest rates and supervises banks.

Because the dollar is used worldwide, its rate decisions affect borrowing costs and markets in many other countries.

A facility that houses large numbers of servers and networking equipment to store and process data.

Data centres use large amounts of electricity and water, which makes their location a local and climate issue.

The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises over time, usually measured over twelve months.

When prices rise faster than wages, households can buy less with the same income, and central banks may raise interest rates in response.

A digital currency secured by cryptography and recorded on a blockchain, without a central bank issuing it.

Crypto prices are volatile, and governments are still deciding how to regulate it.