Diverging signals: Dow rises, gold breaks records, and crypto faces derivatives squeeze

Diverging signals: Dow rises, gold breaks records, and crypto faces derivatives squeeze

As the United States inches closer to a federal government shutdown, with no resolution in sight after talks between congressional leaders and President Donald Trump ended without progress on Monday, investors are navigating a complex web of signals.

Wall Street stays resilient amid shutdown fears

Despite the looming administrative paralysis, Wall Street closed higher on Tuesday, extending its winning streak into a second consecutive quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2 per cent, the S&P 500 gained 0.4 per cent, and the Nasdaq added 0.3 per cent.

This resilience suggests that market participants either believe the shutdown will be short-lived or have already priced in its limited economic impact, given that past shutdowns have rarely derailed broader market trends for long.

Treasury yields and gold signal investor anxiety

Beneath the surface, subtle shifts in asset prices reveal deeper unease. US Treasury yields moved in opposite directions, reflecting a classic flight-to-quality dynamic mixed with short-term policy uncertainty. The 10-year yield inched up by one basis point to 4.148 per cent, while the 2-year yield fell by two basis points to 3.612 per cent.

This flattening of the yield curve often signals that investors expect near-term economic disruptions, such as a government shutdown, to weigh on growth, even if longer-term inflation or fiscal concerns remain elevated. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index declined 0.1 per cent to 97.8, indicating a modest retreat in safe-haven demand for the greenback.

In contrast, gold surged 0.6 per cent to a record high of US$3,858.18 per ounce, underscoring its enduring role as a hedge against political and institutional instability. The precious metal’s ascent to unprecedented levels speaks volumes about the depth of investor anxiety, even as equities hold firm.

Oil and Asian markets reflect fragile demand

Commodities tell a different story. Brent crude oil dropped 1.4 per cent to US$67 per barrel, pressured by expectations that OPEC+ may accelerate its planned output increases in the coming months. This potential supply boost comes at a time when global demand outlooks remain fragile, particularly with China, the world’s largest oil importer, entering its week-long National Day holiday.

Asian equities reflected this caution, trading mixed on Tuesday and lower in early sessions on Wednesday, with mainland China and Hong Kong markets shuttered for the festivities. The absence of Chinese participation in regional trading has amplified volatility and reduced liquidity, leaving other markets more exposed to external shocks, including developments in Washington and shifts in US monetary policy expectations.

Crypto faces a risk-off correction

The crypto market declined 0.51 per cent over the past 24 hours, aligning with the broader theme of risk-off behaviour and profit-taking following recent rallies. Two distinct forces are shaping this correction: regulatory evolution and the dynamics of the derivatives market.

On the regulatory front, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued new guidance allowing state-chartered trust companies, such as those operated by Coinbase, to act as custodians for investment advisers managing crypto assets.

At first glance, this appears to be a significant step toward institutional legitimacy. Long-term, it could pave the way for greater participation from traditional finance players who have long cited custody as a primary barrier to entry.

However, the guidance comes with stringent requirements, including mandatory annual audits and strict asset segregation protocols. These conditions have sparked operational concerns among crypto firms, many of which now face the prospect of higher compliance costs and structural overhauls.

As a result, the short-term market reaction has been one of caution rather than celebration. The progress is real, but the path to implementation remains uncertain, and the industry is watching closely for follow-up rule-making and clarity on adoption timelines from major platforms.

Simultaneously, the derivatives market is flashing warning signs. Perpetual futures open interest, a key gauge of leveraged positioning, fell by 5.48 per cent even as trading volume surged by 16.78 per cent. This divergence suggests that traders are actively unwinding leveraged long positions rather than initiating new ones. Compounding the pressure, average funding rates spiked to 0.0068, a staggering 354 per cent increase over 24 hours.

In perpetual futures markets, funding rates represent the cost of maintaining leveraged positions; when they turn sharply positive, it often indicates excessive bullish sentiment that becomes unsustainable. The recent surge suggests that longs were willing to pay a premium to stay in the market, creating a fragile equilibrium that ultimately collapsed under the weight of profit-taking and margin calls.

Notably, US$50 million in liquidations hit the XPL token alone, highlighting how concentrated leverage in smaller altcoins can amplify broader market selloffs. Historically, such spikes in funding rates precede heightened volatility, and if rates turn persistently negative, it could signal a deeper bearish shift as shorts dominate the market.

The current dip in crypto prices thus reflects a tug-of-war between structural progress and cyclical risk reduction. On one side, regulatory clarity around custody could eventually unlock billions in institutional capital, particularly if traditional asset managers gain confidence in secure, compliant infrastructure.

On the other hand, traders are aggressively trimming exposure in anticipation of near-term headwinds not just from potential SEC enforcement actions but also from macro crosscurrents like the US government shutdown and shifting Treasury dynamics.

This tension is further exacerbated by outflows from crypto ETFs, which have seen US$418 million exit Bitcoin funds and US$248 million leave Ethereum products recently. These outflows suggest that even regulated vehicles are not immune to sentiment swings, and that spot market demand may be insufficient to absorb the selling pressure from leveraged traders and cautious institutions alike.

The weeks ahead

Looking ahead, the critical support level for Bitcoin sits at US$113,000. A decisive break below this threshold could trigger further technical selling, especially if derivatives markets remain unstable.

Conversely, holding above this level might attract bargain hunters, particularly if the SEC’s custody framework begins to translate into tangible institutional inflows. Altcoins like Aster and Hyperbot face additional challenges due to supply-side constraints, which could either cushion their downside or exacerbate volatility depending on market liquidity.

Ultimately, the next few weeks will test whether the cryptocurrency market can decouple from macroeconomic noise and regulatory ambiguity, or whether it remains tethered to the same risk calculus that governs traditional assets. For now, prudence prevails, and the record highs in gold alongside muted equity gains suggest that even in a world of rising asset prices, uncertainty remains the dominant currency.

 

Source: https://e27.co/diverging-signals-dow-rises-gold-breaks-records-and-crypto-faces-derivatives-squeeze-20251001/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Consumer confidence rises amid trade optimism, Bitcoin surges as institutions pile in

Consumer confidence rises amid trade optimism, Bitcoin surges as institutions pile in

The global financial landscape has experienced a shift in recent days, driven by a series of interconnected developments that have bolstered risk sentiment worldwide. At the heart of this shift is the openness expressed by both the United States and the European Union to pursue a trade agreement, a move that has temporarily eased tensions in what had been a brewing tariff war.

President Donald Trump’s decision to postpone the implementation of a 50 per cent tariff on EU goods until July 9 has acted as a catalyst, sparking a rally in risk assets and providing markets with a much-needed reprieve. Coupled with an unexpected uptick in US consumer confidence, a surge in cryptocurrency investments, and nuanced movements in equities, bonds, and commodities, these events paint a complex picture of optimism tinged with lingering uncertainties.

I’ll walk you through the key elements, their implications for the global economy and financial markets, and the potential risks that remain on the horizon.

The US-EU trade thaw: A turning point for risk sentiment

The decision to delay the 50 per cent tariff on EU goods marks a significant departure from the aggressive trade rhetoric that has characterised US-EU relations in recent months. This postponement, announced following a weekend call between President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reflects a mutual recognition of the stakes involved. The US-EU trade relationship is the largest in the world, with billions of dollars in goods and services exchanged annually.

A full-blown trade war would have disrupted supply chains, increased costs for consumers, and rattled global markets. By pushing the tariff deadline to July 9, both sides have bought themselves time to negotiate a broader agreement, signalling a willingness to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.

This development has had an immediate and profound effect on global risk sentiment. Investors, who had been bracing for the economic fallout of heightened tariffs, have responded with a wave of optimism. The S&P 500 surged by 2.1 per cent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.8 per cent, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 2.5 per cent—a clear indication that markets are breathing a sigh of relief.

This rally in US equities underscores the sensitivity of financial markets to trade policy and highlights the potential for even modest de-escalation to drive significant gains. However, this optimism is not without its caveats. The postponement is a temporary measure, and the success of ongoing negotiations will determine whether this newfound stability endures or gives way to renewed uncertainty.

Consumer confidence: A bright spot amid cooling tensions

Adding to the positive momentum is the latest reading from the US Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which surprised on the upside, breaking a five-month streak of declines.

This uptick is particularly significant given the backdrop of a cooling tariff war. Consumer confidence is a bellwether for economic health, as it directly influences spending behaviour—the lifeblood of the US economy, which relies heavily on consumer activity for growth. The fact that this improvement coincides with the trade thaw suggests that Americans are feeling more optimistic about their financial prospects, likely buoyed by the prospect of stable prices and job security that a trade agreement could reinforce.

This data point carries broader implications. Stronger consumer sentiment could translate into increased spending in the coming months, providing a tailwind for retailers, manufacturers, and service providers. It also strengthens the case for a resilient US economy, which has faced headwinds from inflation, interest rate hikes, and geopolitical tensions.

However, consumer confidence can be fickle, and any setbacks in the US-EU trade talks could quickly erode these gains. For now, though, this upside surprise serves as a powerful complement to the improving risk sentiment, reinforcing the narrative of a market rebound.

Market reactions: Equities, bonds, and commodities in focus

The financial markets have wasted no time in reflecting these developments, with a broad rally in risk assets accompanied by nuanced shifts in other asset classes. The US Dollar Index, which had been under pressure in recent weeks, reversed its losses and gained 0.6 per cent.

This rebound reflects renewed confidence in the US economy and the potential for a more predictable trade environment. A stronger dollar has implications for global trade, as it can make US exports more expensive while lowering the cost of imports—a dynamic that could influence the ongoing negotiations with the EU.

In the bond market, Treasuries have seen a strong rally, particularly at the long end of the yield curve. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note fell by 7 basis points to 4.44 per cent, signalling a flight to safety even amid the risk-on rally in equities.

This seemingly paradoxical movement suggests that investors are hedging their bets, seeking the security of government bonds while the trade situation remains fluid. It also hints at expectations of a more dovish Federal Reserve, which may opt to keep interest rates steady—or even cut them—if trade stability supports economic growth without stoking inflation.

Commodities, meanwhile, have presented a mixed picture. Gold, a traditional safe-haven asset, slid by 1.2 per cent to US$3,305 per ounce as demand for safety waned in the face of improving risk sentiment. This decline is a direct consequence of the reduced fear of economic disruption, as investors pivot toward riskier assets like stocks.

Brent crude oil, on the other hand, fell by 1.0 per cent, pressured by concerns over potentially rising supply from OPEC+ producers. The oil market remains a wildcard, sensitive to both geopolitical developments and production decisions, but the broader improvement in risk sentiment has helped stabilise prices and prevent a sharper sell-off.

Asian equity indices were mixed in early trading, reflecting a cautious optimism that mirrors the global mood. Some markets gained ground, while others remained subdued, indicating that investors are still weighing the risks of renewed trade tensions.

US equity index futures, however, suggest that stocks are poised to open higher, building on the momentum from the previous session. This resilience in US markets is a testament to their ability to navigate uncertainty, though it also underscores the importance of a lasting resolution to the trade standoff.

The crypto angle: Trump media, Bitcoin, and beyond

In an unexpected twist, Trump Media and Technology Group, the social media company founded by President Trump, has announced plans to raise US$2.5 billion to invest in Bitcoin. This move injects a new layer of intrigue into the market narrative, blending politics, finance, and the volatile world of cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin has been trading between US$107,000 and US$110,000 since hitting a new all-time high of US$111,970, with market sentiment cooling somewhat. Unlike past rallies driven by retail frenzy, this uptrend has been fuelled by institutional and whale accumulation—a sign of a more mature and potentially sustainable market.

Over the past week, US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have seen US$2.9 billion in inflows, while the number of Bitcoin whales holding at least 1,000 BTC has risen to 1,455, according to Glassnode data. The Accumulation Trend Score, which climbed to 0.93 last week, further confirms this strong buying activity.

Ethereum, too, is making waves, having reclaimed a key technical level that has historically preceded sharp price gains and sparked “altseasons”—periods when alternative cryptocurrencies outperform Bitcoin. At US$2,643, Ether remains fragile, with US$123 billion in supply near its cost basis at risk of flipping into a loss if momentum falters.

Still, the potential for an altcoin market cap surge toward US$15 trillion looms large if Bitcoin dominance follows its post-halving pattern and declines. This dynamic highlights the interconnectedness of the crypto market, where gains in one asset can ripple across others.

Standard Chartered has also entered the fray, predicting that Solana, a blockchain rival to Ethereum, will reach US$275 by year’s end, while Ethereum hits US$4,000. However, the bank cautions that Solana is likely to underperform Ethereum over the next two to three years due to scaling issues that limit its application beyond meme coins.

Currently trading at US$180, Solana has gained 19 per cent over the past month, while Ethereum, at nearly US$2,700, has surged nearly 50 per cent over the same period, per CoinGecko data. These predictions underscore the competitive landscape of cryptocurrencies, where technological innovation and adoption will dictate long-term winners.

My point of view: Optimism tempered by caution

From my perspective, the improvement in global risk sentiment is a welcome development that reflects the power of diplomacy to stabilise markets and economies. The postponement of the 50 per cent tariff on EU goods, combined with the uptick in US consumer confidence, paints a picture of a world economy that is regaining its footing after months of uncertainty.

The rally in risk assets, the rebound in the US dollar, and the resilience of US equities all point to a market that is eager to embrace positive news. Even the cryptocurrency space, with Trump Media’s bold Bitcoin play and Ethereum’s technical breakout, suggests that innovation and risk-taking are alive and well.

Yet, I can’t help but temper this optimism with caution. The trade agreement between the US and EU is far from finalised, and the July 9 deadline looms as a potential flashpoint. Any breakdown in negotiations could reignite tensions, sending shockwaves through markets that have grown accustomed to this newfound stability.

The mixed performance of Asian equities and the decline in commodity prices like gold and Brent crude remind us that not all corners of the global economy are fully convinced of a lasting recovery. In the crypto realm, the fragility of Ethereum and the scaling challenges facing Solana highlight the speculative nature of these assets, where gains can vanish as quickly as they appear.

For investors, this is a time to balance opportunity with vigilance. The potential benefits of a stronger US economy, supported by consumer spending and trade stability, are significant, but so are the risks of a reversal. The intersection of traditional finance with cryptocurrencies, as exemplified by Trump Media’s move, adds an exciting yet unpredictable dimension to the landscape.

My view is that while the current trajectory is encouraging, the global economy remains at a crossroads. The next few weeks, as US-EU talks progress and key economic data rolls in, will be critical in determining whether this rally has legs—or whether it’s merely a pause before the next storm.

In summary, the improvement in global risk sentiment is a multifaceted story of trade diplomacy, consumer resilience, and market dynamics. It’s a narrative that offers hope but demands scrutiny, as the interplay of these factors will shape the financial world for months to come.

I’ll be watching closely, ready to report on the twists and turns that lie ahead. For now, the markets are cheering—but the applause may yet turn to silence if the underlying challenges resurface.

 

Source: https://e27.co/consumer-confidence-rises-amid-trade-optimism-bitcoin-surges-as-institutions-pile-in-20250528/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

j j j

Stocks fall, Bitcoin rises: What’s driving the market divide?

Stocks fall, Bitcoin rises: What’s driving the market divide?

The overnight markets have been anything but calm lately, with major US benchmarks finishing lower, though they managed to recover somewhat from their steepest declines. The Russell 2000 dropped 3.47 per cent, the S&P 500 fell 2.61 per cent, the Nasdaq declined 2.47 per cent, and the Dow also shed 2.47 per cent over the past week.

It’s a rough picture, but the fact that these indices clawed back from their worst levels suggests a flicker of resilience—or perhaps just a pause before the next storm. Growth-related sectors, the engines of recent market optimism, were broadly lower, and the so-called Mag-7 stocks—Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla—all took a hit.

Apple, in particular, saw a sharp 3.0 per cent drop, a decline pinned squarely on tariff concerns tied to President Trump’s latest trade rhetoric. Investors, however, seem to be growing numb to his tariff announcements, increasingly convinced that these threats are more noise than substance, likely to fade away as quickly as they flare up.

But that doesn’t mean the market is shrugging off all the turbulence. Big investors are quietly shifting gears, diversifying their bond portfolios and looking beyond US borders for opportunities. Trump’s trade war and the ballooning US deficits are making them jittery, and for good reason. Bond market volatility is spiking, a loud warning to governments that borrowing money isn’t going to come cheap anymore. The widening risk premiums on lower-rated junk bonds are another red flag, hinting at deeper cracks in the US economy.

Meanwhile, major US banks like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo are mulling a bold move: teaming up to launch a joint stablecoin. It’s a bid to speed up transactions and fend off the crypto industry’s growing threat, with talks involving co-owned entities like Early Warning Services (behind Zelle) and the Clearing House. The financial world, it seems, is bracing for a seismic shift.

Growth sectors and tariff fears: The Apple effect

Zooming in on those growth sectors, the picture gets murkier. The Mag-7 stocks, long the poster children of market strength, stumbled in unison. Apple’s 3.0 per cent slide stands out, not just for its size but for what’s driving it: Trump’s tariff threats, particularly a proposed 25 per cent levy on iPhones unless their manufacturing shifts back to US soil.

It’s a direct hit to a company that’s built its empire on a global supply chain, and it’s rattling investors. Yet there’s a growing sense that Trump’s bark might be worse than his bite. Market players are starting to tune out his tariff proclamations, betting that these policies won’t stick—or at least won’t hit as hard as advertised.

That skepticism hasn’t stopped the unease from spreading, though. Big investors are hedging their bets, pouring money into bond markets outside the US as a buffer against Trump’s trade wars and the fiscal mess piling up in Washington.

The bond market itself is flashing warning signs. Volatility is up, signalling that debt financing costs are on the rise—a headache for governments already stretched thin. And those widening risk premiums on junk bonds? They’re not just a technical blip; they could be an early distress signal about the US economy’s health. It’s a tense moment for growth sectors, caught between innovation’s promise and the grinding uncertainty of trade policy.

Central banks: Steady hands in a shaky world

Central banks, meanwhile, are trying to keep their footing amid the chaos. In the US, a Supreme Court order suggests the Federal Reserve might be insulated from Trump’s attempts to meddle with independent agencies, a rare bit of good news for those hoping for stability.

Across the Pacific, China’s lowering deposit rate ceilings to shield bank profits, a pragmatic move to keep its financial system humming. Japan’s central bank governor, Kazuo Ueda, is playing it cool, offering no hints of intervention even as yields on super-long-dated securities hit all-time highs.

And in Europe, ECB official Yannis Stournaras is sketching out a cautious plan: a rate cut in June, followed by a pause to see how the dust settles. These institutions are navigating uncharted waters, balancing domestic pressures with the global fallout from Trump’s policies.

Tariffs: Trump’s high-stakes gamble

Speaking of Trump, his tariff threats are escalating into a full-blown global standoff. He’s declared negotiations with the European Union a dead end, threatening a jaw-dropping 50 per cent tariff on EU goods starting June 1. That’s no small potatoes—trade with the EU accounted for about 4.9 per cent of US GDP in 2024, with pharmaceuticals, cars, and machinery leading the charge.

Then there’s the iPhone gambit: a 25 per cent tariff unless Apple brings manufacturing home. It’s a bold play, but the EU isn’t blinking. They’ve made it clear they won’t budge on VAT, food safety standards, or regulations governing digital services and social media. This deadlock crushed any lingering hope that Trump’s trade wars would wind down.

Japan’s taking a different tack, signaling it’s ready to strike a tariff deal with the US by June, perhaps sensing an opportunity to dodge the worst. Meanwhile, US importers are reeling from a record US$16.5 billion tariff bill for April alone, a staggering cost rippling through supply chains.

Southeast Asian nations are feeling the squeeze too, caught in the crossfire of the US-China trade war and pressured to pick a side. It’s a high-stakes game of chicken, and the global economy is holding its breath.

Economic pulse: Bright spots and warning signs

Amid all this, economic indicators are a mixed bag. The UK’s retail sales surged 1.2 per cent in April, defying forecasts and marking four straight months of gains, thanks to some unusually good weather. Consumer confidence there ticked up to -20 in May, better than the expected -22 and a leap from -25 a month earlier, though inflation worries haven’t gone away.

Germany’s GDP surprised with a 0.4 per cent rise in Q1, fuelled by exporters rushing shipments ahead of US tariffs. Japan, though, is grappling with core inflation spiking to 3.5 per cent in April, driven by sky-high rice and energy costs—a reminder that not all growth is painless.

Back in the US, Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” is hitting snags in the Senate, and even if it passes, it might boomerang on Republicans. The combo of deep tax cuts and soaring debt could turn off voters and spook investors, undermining the very gains Trump’s touting. It’s a precarious moment, with economic signals flashing both opportunity and peril.

Bitcoin’s rise: A political and economic wildcard

Then there’s Bitcoin, quietly stealing the spotlight. Support for the cryptocurrency is surging among US policymakers, with 59 per cent of Senators and 66 per cent of House Representatives backing Bitcoin-friendly policies. What started as a niche interest among libertarian and tech-forward lawmakers has gone mainstream, cutting across party lines.

They’re waking up to Bitcoin’s potential—not just as a financial disruptor, but as a tool for economic freedom and a hedge against a wobbly US Treasury market. With bond yields climbing amid fears of fiscal instability and inflation, Bitcoin’s hitting new highs—US$109,507 as of late—defying the gloom gripping traditional markets.

Pakistan’s jumping on the bandwagon too, allocating 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity to power Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. It’s a savvy move by a country wrestling with high tariffs and excess energy capacity, especially as solar power gains traction. Spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council, this initiative aims to cash in on idle resources, create tech jobs, and lure foreign investment. It’s a glimpse of how nations might adapt to a digital-first future, even as the old economic order frays.

Tying it all together: A fragile balance

So where does this leave us? The overnight markets are a jittery mess, with US benchmarks down but not out, growth sectors wobbling, and investors second-guessing Trump’s tariff bluster. Bond markets are screaming caution, central banks are treading carefully, and global trade is a tangle of threats and counter-moves.

Economic data offers some hope—UK retail, German exports—but the risks are piling up, from Japan’s inflation to America’s debt woes. And in the midst of it all, Bitcoin’s carving out a new role, embraced by Washington and innovated on by countries like Pakistan.

I see a world teetering on the edge—between chaos and opportunity, tradition and transformation. Trump’s tariffs might fizzle or ignite a firestorm; Bitcoin could falter or redefine finance. What’s certain is that adaptability will be the name of the game. For investors, policymakers, and everyday folks, the challenge is clear: navigate the storm, eyes wide open, ready for whatever comes next.

 

Source: https://e27.co/stocks-fall-bitcoin-rises-whats-driving-the-market-divide-20250526/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

j j j