Investors are in wait-and-see mode as the U.S. shutdown stalls data releases and China signals restraint on export controls, keeping markets range-bound ahead of Friday’s CPI report.
By Sam Reynolds|Edited by Aoyon Ashraf
Oct 23, 2025, 7:08 a.m. China.
What to know:
Bitcoin and Ethereum are trading in a narrow range as traders await the U.S. CPI report, which could influence market volatility.
Polymarket traders see a high probability of a U.S.-China tariff agreement by Nov. 10, reducing the likelihood of 100% tariffs.
Asia-Pacific markets, including Japan's Nikkei 225, fell amid renewed U.S.-China trade tensions.
Good Morning, Asia.
Here's what's making news in the markets:
Crypto markets have entered midweek in a holding pattern.
Bitcoin is trading around $108,164, up slightly from Monday but still down 2% on the week, while Ether is changing hands near $3,815.
Market Movement:
BTC: Bitcoin is trading above $108K, consolidating after a recent run‑up, with sellers limiting immediate breakout potential while analysts at Standard Chartered say a dip below $100,000 could be a “last chance to buy” before the next leg higher.
ETH: Ethereum is trading around $3,800 with volume up 33% as traders accumulate ahead of U.S. inflation data, though a $650 million transfer by the Ethereum Foundation triggered $700 million in profit-taking and long liquidations, leaving analysts divided between a potential breakout toward $5,000 or a slide toward $2,850 if support at $3,470 fails.
Gold: Gold continues to experience a record-setting sell-off with futures down 0.3% to $4,097.80 an ounce after Tuesday’s 5.7% plunge, as investors took profits from its record run, though analysts said strong central-bank buying and rate-cut expectations should keep bullion supported.
Nikkei 225: Asia-Pacific markets fell Thursday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 down 1.5%, after reports that the Trump administration may restrict exports to China reignited U.S.-China trade tensions.