Today’s market wrap offers a fascinating snapshot of a world grappling with shifting risk sentiments, trade tensions, and the evolving dynamics of traditional and alternative assets. Global risk sentiment has shown signs of improvement, with Asian shares rebounding after what was described as their worst day on record. Japan, in particular, has taken the lead in early trading gains, buoyed by optimism that it might receive preferential treatment in trade negotiations with US President Donald Trump’s administration.

Meanwhile, Trump’s unwavering stance on imposing additional tariffs—despite pleas from trading partners—has kept markets on edge, with the S&P 500 teetering on the brink of a bear market. This backdrop of uncertainty, coupled with fluctuating performances in Hong Kong and China amid threats of a 50 per cent tariff hike, paints a complex picture of global finance.

Add to that China’s central bank stepping in to bolster its sovereign fund for local stock purchases, and we’re witnessing a multifaceted tug-of-war between policy, sentiment, and economic fundamentals.

Let’s look into the specifics. The US markets have been a rollercoaster, with the MSCI US index slipping 0.2 per cent after a volatile session. Within that, the Communication Services sector stood out, climbing 1.0 per cent and offering a glimmer of resilience amid the chaos.

Treasury yields, which had recently pulled back sharply, rebounded with the 10-year yield rising 18.9 basis points to 4.18 per cent and the 2-year yield up 11.1 basis points to 3.76 per cent. This uptick suggests a market recalibrating its expectations, perhaps anticipating inflationary pressures or a shift in Federal Reserve policy signals.

The US Dollar index, meanwhile, edged up 0.2 per cent, stabilising after recent losses, while gold took a hit, dropping 1.8 per cent to hover around US$3,000 per ounce. This decline in gold, often seen as a safe-haven asset, could reflect profit-taking or a reaction to rising yields, which typically make non-yielding assets less attractive.

On the energy front, Brent crude fell 2.1 per cent to below US$65 per barrel, weighed down by tariff-related demand concerns and OPEC+ members increasing output—a double whammy for oil prices.

Across the Pacific, Asian equities have mostly climbed in early trading, with Japan’s optimism setting the tone. This bounce-back follows a brutal sell-off, and it’s encouraging to see markets attempting to find their footing. US equity index futures are also signalling a positive start, with an implied opening gain of 1.6 per cent. This suggests that, despite the tariff threats and economic downturn fears, investors are willing to bet on a recovery—at least for now.

But beneath this surface-level resilience lies a deeper story, particularly when we zoom in on two assets that have captured the world’s attention in recent years: gold and bitcoin. From November 2022 to November 2024, these two moved in a relatively tight correlation, with gold rising 67 per cent and bitcoin soaring nearly 400 per cent.

Analysts had long argued that their shared appeal as hedges against weak global currency policies would keep them aligned. Yet, in 2025, that relationship has begun to unravel, with gold up 16 per cent since late March and bitcoin down more than six per cent. What’s driving this divergence, and what does it mean for investors?

Bitcoin’s journey over the past few years has been nothing short of remarkable. Its meteoric rise—peaking above US$109,000 in January 2025—can be traced to a surge in institutional adoption. Heavyweights like BlackRock, VanEck, and Fidelity have deepened their stakes in the cryptocurrency market, lending it a level of legitimacy that was once unthinkable. Countries like El Salvador have gone further, integrating bitcoin into their financial systems, while the US government has floated plans for a strategic crypto reserve, signalling a potential shift in how nations view digital assets.

New financial products have also fuelled this growth. Take, for instance, CME Group’s Bitcoin Friday futures, which offer contracts as small as 1/50th of a coin, lowering the barrier to entry for retail investors. And just yesterday, Cboe Global Markets announced its new Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures, set to launch on April 28.

These cash-settled contracts, trading under the XBTF ticker, are designed to give traders more precise control over their bitcoin exposure without needing to hold the asset itself. Paired with Cboe’s recent options tied to bitcoin ETFs, these innovations are broadening the toolkit available to investors, reinforcing bitcoin’s staying power.

But the road hasn’t been smooth. Bitcoin faced significant sell pressure earlier today, dipping to US$74,604 before rebounding to above US$79,000. Even with this recovery, it’s down 3.1 per cent in the past 24 hours and nearly 30 per cent from its January peak. Analysts at IT Tech recently highlighted a spike in the Exchange Inflow Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) metric, which tracks the movement of older coins that have been dormant for extended periods.

A surge in CDD often signals that long-term holders are moving their assets to exchanges, potentially to sell. This could reflect profit-taking after bitcoin’s massive run-up or a reaction to broader market uncertainty, including Trump’s tariff threats and fears of an economic slowdown. Whatever the cause, this selling pressure underscores bitcoin’s volatility—a trait that sets it apart from gold, even as both assets vie for the “safe-haven” mantle.

Gold, by contrast, has followed a steadier path in 2025. Its 16 per cent gain since late March reflects a flight to safety amid tariff tensions and rising yields. Unlike bitcoin, gold benefits from its centuries-old reputation as a reliable store of value, especially when economic storm clouds gather. The recent drop to US$3,000 per ounce might suggest some profit-taking, but the broader trend points to sustained demand.

Rising Treasury yields, which typically pressure gold prices, haven’t derailed its upward trajectory, perhaps because investors see tariffs and geopolitical risks as outweighing the yield factor. This resilience highlights a key difference: while bitcoin thrives on institutional momentum and speculative fervour, gold draws strength from its stability and universality.

So, what’s my take on all this? As someone who’s spent years dissecting market trends, I see this divergence as a natural evolution of two assets with overlapping but distinct identities. Bitcoin’s pullback doesn’t diminish its long-term potential; the institutional backing and innovative products like the Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures suggest it’s here to stay.

But its volatility—exacerbated by tariff fears and profit-taking—reminds us that it’s still a young, dynamic asset prone to sharp swings. Gold, meanwhile, is playing its classic role as a steady hand in turbulent times, bolstered by its tangible nature and historical gravitas. The fraying correlation between the two isn’t a sign of weakness but rather a maturation of the market, where each asset is finding its own lane.

Looking ahead, the global risk sentiment will hinge on how Trump’s tariff policies unfold. Japan’s early gains signal hope for targeted trade deals, but the broader threat of levies on dozens of countries could keep markets jittery. The S&P 500’s flirtation with bear market territory is a red flag, and if economic downturn fears intensify, we could see more wild swings across asset classes. For now, Asian shares are offering a glimmer of optimism, and US futures suggest a willingness to rebound.

But with Brent crude sliding and China’s central bank stepping in, the stakes remain high. My job is to keep digging—tracking the data, questioning the narratives, and piecing together the story as it unfolds. Today’s market wrap is just one chapter in a saga that’s far from over, and I’ll be here, pen in hand, to chronicle what comes next.

 

Source: https://e27.co/trump-tariffs-shake-markets-why-gold-soars-as-bitcoin-stumbles-in-2025-20250408/