The Crypto Desk

Asia Market Update: Bitcoin Stays Strong Near $90K as Stocks Struggle Amid Fed Rate Cut Hopes

Asia Market Update: Bitcoin Stays Strong Near $90K as Stocks Struggle Amid Fed Rate Cut Hopes

As the sun rises over Asia, Bitcoin stands at a pivotal point, hovering around the $90,000 mark. This striking moment has captured the eyes of investors as they grapple with the dynamics of a global economic rebound and the possibility of a rally that may be losing momentum. In the past 24 hours, the largest cryptocurrency has danced between the narrow range of approximately $90,600 and $91,400, after touching a high of around $91,800. This fluctuation has coincided with a cautious sentiment in global equity markets, which, despite showing little overall change, are positioned for their most favorable week since June. Traders are keenly focused on the Federal Reserve’s potential shift in interest rate policy, sparking hope for the first cut in the interest rate cycle for 2026.

In the world of cryptocurrencies, the figures tell an intriguing story:

  • Bitcoin: $90,868, down 0.2%
  • Ether: $3,001, down 1.6%
  • XRP: $2.17, down 2.2%
  • Total crypto market cap: $3.18 trillion, down 0.9%

As we dissect the current market landscape, China’s economic environment takes center stage, particularly after JPMorgan upgraded its outlook on Chinese stocks to “overweight.” The bank posits that the potential for significant gains in the upcoming year currently outweighs the risks of further market intrusions, despite ongoing pressures in the real estate sector where companies, including China Vanke, continue to face challenges.

This recent upgrade has squeezed through to Asian stock markets, where volatility reigns. South Korean and Japanese markets opened with slight declines, while Australian stocks saw a modest uptick in quiet trading, likely influenced by the recent U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

The week has been underscored by shifting expectations surrounding the Federal Reserve’s approach to interest rates. Current futures markets indicate an impressively high probability—between 80% to 85%—of a quarter-point rate cut being announced as early as next month. Speculations even lean toward the possibility of three reductions by the end of 2026. This outlook has buoyed global stock indices, which are recuperating from a downturn experienced earlier in the month, largely attributed to concerns around overvalued tech stocks within the AI sector.

The atmosphere in the bond markets has also shifted significantly, with a post-labor data rally in Treasuries taking a breather. The yield on 10-year bonds has settled around the 4% mark, a reflection of stronger-than-expected job figures that have complicated the narrative surrounding the Fed’s easing of rate hikes. As trading volumes have thinned due to the holiday-shortened week, many investors have turned to Fed officials’ comments for clarity on future monetary policy.

In the world of cryptocurrencies, activity remains brisk, albeit with a slower tempo compared to earlier months. Recent data from SoSoValue reveals that U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs accumulated about $21 million in net inflows on November 26, bringing their total to approximately $57.6 billion. The overall trading volume for that day hit about $4.6 billion, with net assets in the ETF sector reaching $117.7 billion, which corresponds to about 6.6% of Bitcoin’s market value.

Among the key players, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) continues to dominate ETF flows with substantial net inflows of around $42.8 million, pushing its assets to approximately $69.9 billion. In contrast, Fidelity’s FBTC saw an outflow of about $33.3 million, while Grayscale’s converted GBTC recorded a slight inflow of $5.6 million but remains down by roughly $25 billion since the launch of spot ETFs.

This movement represents a significant trend towards regulated financial products within the cryptocurrency space, evidenced by IBIT alone encompassing about 3.9% of Bitcoin’s overall market. With the Fed’s potential for policy shifts and a cautious backdrop in the equity markets, traders in Asia are gearing up for a year-end filled with uncertainty and opportunity.

As we reflect on this volatile week, the interplay between institutional interest and regulatory developments could significantly shape the future landscape of both cryptocurrencies and traditional equities. So, how will the anticipated changes at the Fed influence your investment strategy as we approach 2026? Keep your eyes peeled—it promises to be an exhilarating ride.

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