Economists projected a modest addition of 75,000 jobs, barely edging out the 73,000 from July, with whispers of a downward revision to the prior month’s figures adding an extra layer of uncertainty. This report carried significant weight, as it could sway the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates later in the month, especially amid signs of a cooling labour market.
Initial jobless claims surged to 237,000 for the week ending August 30, marking the highest level since June and underscoring a gradual softening in employment trends. Traders positioned themselves defensively, knowing that a weak print might fuel expectations for aggressive rate cuts. At the same time, a stronger-than-expected number could dampen hopes for monetary easing and pressure risk assets.
US equities managed a solid rebound on September 4, with the S&P 500 climbing 0.8 per cent to close at a fresh record high of around 6,506 points, buoyed by robust July services activity data that exceeded forecasts. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.0 per cent, reflecting renewed enthusiasm in technology stocks, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average matched the S&P’s gain at 0.8 per cent.
This rally provided a brief respite from recent volatility, as market participants digested the implications of a resilient services sector amid broader economic slowdown signals. Investors appeared to interpret the data as supportive of a soft landing scenario, where growth moderates without tipping into recession, though the looming payrolls report tempered any excessive exuberance.
Bond markets also drew attention, with Treasuries attracting bids that pushed yields lower. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield dropped six basis points to 4.161 per cent, flirting with levels not seen in over a year and signalling investor flight to safety ahead of key data. Shorter-dated two-year yields hovered near one-year lows, highlighting expectations for Federal Reserve action. This movement in yields reflected broader concerns about economic momentum, as lower rates typically encourage borrowing but also hint at underlying weaknesses in growth prospects.
Currency and commodity markets offered mixed signals. The US Dollar Index strengthened by 0.2 per cent to settle at 98.35, benefiting from the relative stability in US data compared to global counterparts. Gold, often viewed as a haven during uncertain times, slipped 0.4 per cent after an eight-day winning streak, trading around US$3,552 per ounce as some profit-taking emerged amid the dollar’s firmness.
Brent crude oil declined 1.0 per cent to US$68 per barrel, pressured by ongoing demand worries and ample supply, though OPEC’s potential output decisions loomed as a wildcard. These shifts underscored a market grappling with inflation fears receding but growth risks mounting.
In Asia, equity benchmarks largely trended lower on September 5, dragged by underperformance in major hubs. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1.1 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite dropped nearly two per cent, reflecting investor unease over domestic economic stimulus measures and lingering trade tensions. Other markets like Tokyo and Seoul bucked the trend with modest gains, but the overall tone remained subdued, influenced by the anticipation of US data that could ripple through global trade and capital flows.
Amid this backdrop, the debut of American Bitcoin Corp on the Nasdaq captured headlines, intertwining politics, family business, and cryptocurrency in a way that raised eyebrows across Wall Street. The Bitcoin mining company, partially owned by Donald Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Jr., saw its shares surge as high as US$14.52 before closing up 16.5 per cent at US$8.04, valuing the firm at billions and the brothers’ 20 per cent stake at over US$1.5 billion.
Eric Trump, serving as executive vice president of the Trump Organisation, appeared at Bitcoin Asia 2025 in Hong Kong, further spotlighting the family’s pivot from real estate to digital assets. This move expanded the Trump empire into cryptocurrency, with the company planning to mine and hold Bitcoin while raising funds for growth, including partnerships such as one with Hut 8.
From my perspective, this development strikes me as a potent mix of opportunity and peril. The Trump family’s foray into Bitcoin aligns with a broader trend where influential figures leverage their platforms to enter high-growth sectors, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption. It also invites scrutiny over conflicts of interest, especially given the administration’s crypto-friendly policies that could directly benefit such ventures.
Critics point to the risk of blurred lines between public office and private gain, a concern amplified by the family’s history in real estate and now extended to volatile digital assets. While supporters hail it as innovative entrepreneurship, I see it as emblematic of how political dynasties adapt to new economic frontiers, often at the expense of transparency. The stock’s volatile debut, doubling in value before pulling back, mirrors the crypto market’s own unpredictability, and it will be fascinating to watch if this boosts or burdens Bitcoin’s legitimacy in traditional finance circles.
Turning to Bitcoin itself, the cryptocurrency traded near US$110,700 on September 5, clinging just above the short-term holder realised price of US$107,600. This critical support level gauges the average entry point for newer investors. A rare signal emerged on Binance, where the Bitcoin-to-stablecoin ratio approached parity at 1, a threshold that historically signaled major cycle bottoms, as seen in March 2025 when it preceded a rally from US$78,000 to US$123,000.
However, the current consolidation phase lacks the deep capitulation of past bottoms, raising doubts about whether this indicates a genuine rebound or merely turbulence ahead. Stablecoin reserves on Binance hit a record US$37.8 billion, suggesting ample liquidity is sidelined and ready to deploy, which could fuel a surge if sentiment shifts.
Longer-term metrics painted a bullish picture despite short-term jitters. The overall realised price stood at US$52,800, with long-term holders’ realised price at US$35,600, indicating firm conviction among seasoned investors. The net unrealised profit/loss ratio hovered at 0.53, firmly in profit territory but below euphoric peaks, implying room for growth without immediate overheating.
A key risk loomed: Bitcoin’s 50-week simple moving average, a reliable trend indicator since 2018, sat near US$95,000. A drop below this level could trigger the cycle’s first bearish signal, potentially leading to prolonged declines akin to the 63 per cent drop in 2018 or the 67 per cent decline in 2022. Bitcoin has held above this average since March 2023; however, its current positioning places it perilously close.
In my view, these signals highlight Bitcoin’s maturation as an asset class, blending technical rigor with on-chain insights that traditional markets envy. The Binance ratio’s reappearance excites me because it underscores crypto’s unique data-driven edge, where exchange flows offer real-time glimpses into capital movements. That said, the absence of capitulation worries me; markets often need pain to purge excess before true bottoms form. If Bitcoin slips below US$95,000, it might test investor resolve.
Still, I suspect that sidelined stablecoins and improving macroeconomic conditions, such as potential Fed cuts, could cap the downside and propel a fourth-quarter rally. September has historically been Bitcoin’s weakest month, averaging negative returns, but 2025’s cycle dynamics, including ETF inflows and political tailwinds, might defy the pattern. Analysts eye US$150,000 by year-end if supports hold, a target that feels ambitious but plausible given the asset’s resilience.
To expand on the labor market dynamics, the August nonfarm payrolls report arrives at a time when other indicators already suggest a deceleration in the economy. For instance, the JOLTS report from earlier in the week showed job openings dipping to their lowest since early 2021, with hires and quits also moderating, signalling reduced churn in the workforce.
Economists attribute this to a normalisation after the post-pandemic hiring frenzy, but persistent weakness could prompt the Fed to accelerate its pivot toward easing. Chair Jerome Powell has emphasised the importance of data dependence, and a subpar jobs number might solidify bets for a 50-basis-point cut at the September meeting, rather than the standard 25-basis-point cut. Markets currently price in about a 40 per cent chance of the larger move, up from negligible levels a month ago, reflecting how quickly sentiment can shift.
Equities’ Thursday rally built on gains in sectors such as technology and consumer discretionary, with companies like Nvidia and Amazon leading the charge after positive analyst notes on AI demand. The services PMI from ISM came in at 55.7, well above the 52.5 consensus, indicating expansion and alleviating fears of a broader slowdown spilling over from manufacturing.
This divergence between goods and services has characterised the current cycle, with services proving more resilient due to steady consumer spending. However, with personal consumption expenditures showing signs of fatigue amid high interest rates, the sustainability of this strength remains in question.
In the Treasury space, the yield curve’s subtle steepening warrants attention, as the spread between two-year and 10-year notes has widened slightly to around 15 basis points. Historically, an inverted curve precedes recessions, and its gradual normalisation could signal the end of that inversion phase, potentially heralding better growth prospects ahead. Traders also monitored auction results for new debt issuances, which absorbed smoothly despite elevated supply, thanks to foreign demand and domestic institutions seeking duration.
The dollar’s modest uptick occurred against a basket where the euro and yen weakened, the former due to uncertainty over ECB policy and the latter amid the Bank of Japan’s cautious tightening path. Gold’s pullback interrupted a rally driven by central bank purchases and geopolitical tensions, but fundamentals like real yields remaining low support its medium-term appeal. Oil’s slide extended a multi-week downtrend, with inventories building unexpectedly and global demand forecasts revised lower by agencies like the EIA, though Middle East risks provide a floor.
Asian markets’ weakness stemmed partly from China’s ongoing property woes and export slowdown, with recent stimulus announcements falling short of investor hopes for aggressive fiscal support. Hong Kong’s drop amplified regional contagion, as property developers faced renewed selling pressure. In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei edged higher on exporter gains from a weaker yen, illustrating how currency dynamics can offset broader pessimism.
The Trump sons’ Bitcoin venture adds a layer of intrigue to an already politicised crypto landscape. American Bitcoin Corp aims to capitalise on the mining boom, leveraging cheap energy sources and advanced hardware to build a substantial hash rate. Their stake’s valuation surge on debut day highlights the froth in crypto-related stocks, reminiscent of the 2021 bull run when similar firms commanded premium multiples. Eric Trump’s public engagements, including speeches at industry conferences, position the family as advocates for deregulation, aligning with the president’s pro-crypto stance that has included proposals for a national Bitcoin reserve.
This familial involvement raises ethical concerns, as policy decisions regarding digital assets could impact personal holdings. Observers note parallels to past Trump Organisation dealings, where real estate projects benefited from zoning changes or tax incentives.
In the crypto industry, the push for clearer regulations may expedite approvals for mining operations or ETF expansions, indirectly boosting the company’s prospects. Supporters argue it democratises access to Bitcoin wealth, but skeptics see it as another avenue for influence peddling in a lightly regulated space.
Bitcoin’s price action around US$110,700 reflects a tug-of-war between bulls holding the line and bears testing supports. The short-term holder realised price acts as a psychological barrier, where breaches often lead to cascading liquidations. On-chain data from Glassnode shows exchange inflows rising modestly, but not to panic levels, suggesting sellers are tactical rather than capitulatory. The Binance ratio nearing 1 implies balanced reserves, historically a precursor to volatility resolution upward.
The stablecoin buildup on exchanges like Binance indicates a significant amount of “dry powder,” with USDT and USDC accounting for over 90 per cent of holdings. This liquidity could spark a rally if macroeconomic catalysts align, such as a dovish Fed or election outcomes that favour crypto. Long-term holders continue to accumulate, with their cohort’s realised price far below current levels, underscoring the diamond-handed conviction forged through multiple cycles.
The 50-week SMA’s proximity adds technical gravity, as crosses below it have heralded regime shifts. In 2018, the breach preceded a crypto winter amid regulatory crackdowns and macro headwinds. 2022’s drop coincided with FTX’s collapse and rising rates. Today’s environment differs, with institutional adoption via spot ETFs providing a buffer, having absorbed billions in inflows since January. A close below US$95,000 would invalidate the uptrend, but dip buyers might emerge, viewing it as a generational entry point.
My take is that Bitcoin’s narrative has evolved from fringe experiment to portfolio staple, and signals like these reinforce its cyclical nature. The lack of deep fear, as measured by the Fear & Greed Index at neutral 50, suggests more downside potential before a sustainable bottom.
But with halving effects still unfolding and supply growth halved, upward pressure builds organically. Political developments, including the Trump connection, could catalyse sentiment, especially if pro-crypto policies gain traction post-election. I anticipate choppy trading through September, but a breakout above US$120,000 remains feasible by Q4, driven by seasonal patterns and improving fundamentals.
Pulling it all together, today’s market wrap reveals a world on edge, with US strength contrasting Asian weakness and crypto injecting fresh drama via the Trump connection. The payroll data will likely dictate the near-term narrative, but broader trends like softening jobs and yield compression point to a pivotal moment for risk assets.
As someone who has tracked these cycles, I believe the current caution masks underlying opportunities, particularly in Bitcoin, where structural bullishness persists amid tactical risks. Investors should closely watch the US$107,600 level; its defence could spark the next leg up, while a failure might invite a healthy reset.
Regardless, the fusion of politics and markets, as seen in American Bitcoin’s splashy entry, reminds us that finance evolves not in isolation but through bold, sometimes controversial, human endeavours. This interplay will shape portfolios for months to come, demanding vigilance and adaptability from all participants.
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”.
