Crypto Reporter
Shalini Nagarajan
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Bitcoin rose toward $92,000 at the Asia open on Wednesday, while regional stocks steadied after a short, sharp wave of selling in global bonds and cryptocurrencies earlier in the week.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency reclaimed the $90,000 handle in early trading, while futures on the Nasdaq and S&P 500 edged about 0.1% higher, signalling a calmer session ahead after Wall Street’s overnight rebound.
Across equities, MSCI’s broad index of Asia Pacific shares outside Japan gained around 0.3%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 0.8%, recovering some of Monday’s losses.
For many crypto-focused traders, the return of risk appetite in equities added a supportive backdrop for Bitcoin’s bounce.
Market snapshot
- Bitcoin: $92,851, up 6.6%
- Ether: $3,040, up 8.3%
- XRP: $2.18, up 7.6%
- Total crypto market cap: $3.22 trillion, up 6.5%
Akshat Siddant, lead quant analyst at Mudrex, said Bitcoin is seeing a strong V-shaped rebound as momentum returns. He noted that sentiment improved after the Fed ended quantitative tightening and injected $13.5b through overnight funding,” which lifted liquidity in short-term markets.
US institutions have increased their use of repo facilities, adding support for risk assets. Siddant also pointed to Bitcoin exchange reserves falling to “multiyear lows of 2.19M BTC,” a trend that has strengthened buying pressure.
With Bitcoin trading near $93,000, he said the next major resistance sits around $96,000, while support has formed near $87,800.
Early Week Turmoil From Bond And Crypto Selling Gives Way To Calmer Trading
The improvement follows an “ugly” start to the week, when expectations of a looming rate hike in Japan triggered a global bond selloff and amplified a slide in cryptocurrencies, sending investors rushing out of risk assets.
Moves in Japanese government bonds were more subdued on Wednesday, although yields stayed under pressure as markets continued to price in a Bank of Japan tightening later this month.
With no major new data in Asia, attention shifted back to the Federal Reserve and a widely expected rate cut next week.
December Strength And Fed Cut Hopes Lift Sentiment After Japan Shock
December has often been a favourable month for stocks, and the prospect of easier US policy has helped sentiment after the earlier shock from Japan.
Recent US numbers have pointed to a gradually cooling economy, while Fed officials had urged caution on cutting too quickly, warning that inflation pressures could return.
Even so, remarks from several policymakers in recent days have reinforced expectations for a cut at the December meeting, and traders now see an 89.2% chance of a 25-basis-point move, up from about 63% a month ago, according to CME’s FedWatch Tool.
US stocks finished higher on Tuesday, logging a sixth gain in seven sessions in relatively muted trade, driven by technology shares as rate cut hopes stayed elevated. Earlier in the week, equities sold off on softer manufacturing data, a jump in Treasury yields as Japanese bond yields surged, and a drop in Bitcoin and crypto-related stocks.
The next key macro test comes on Friday, when the Personal Consumption Expenditures Index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, is due. That print could help cement expectations for the central bank’s decision next week.
Markets Monitor Potential Successor To Powell As Trump Prepares A Decision
Markets are also watching who may succeed Fed Chair Jerome Powell when his term ends next year, with reports pointing to White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett as a leading contender. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would announce his choice early next year.
Crypto traders remain cautious despite Bitcoin’s recovery. Samer Hasn, market analyst at XS.com, said Bitcoin’s recent stabilization is masking deeper fragility beneath the surface.
“According to current market dynamics, whales continue to offload holdings, leverage reset remains incomplete, and no convincing signs of a bottom have emerged. The backdrop has also been clouded by the Bank of Japan’s tightening shock and rising concerns around Strategy’s balance-sheet risks, keeping downside pressure firmly in play,” he added.
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