Bitcoin held steady near $88,000 during early Asian trading on Tuesday, as investors balanced a packed earnings calendar against fresh trade tensions sparked by President Donald Trump.
The mood across markets was cautious rather than panicked. Asian equities edged higher overall, while gold and silver attracted fresh safe-haven flows as traders positioned ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve decision and earnings from major U.S. tech firms.
Late Monday, Trump reignited trade concerns by targeting South Korea, accusing its legislature of failing to live up to its trade commitments with Washington. He said tariffs on South Korean exports — including autos, lumber, and pharmaceuticals — would be raised to 25%, adding another layer of uncertainty for global markets.
Market Snapshot
Bitcoin: $88,553 (+1.4%)
Ether: $2,938 (+2.7%)
XRP: $1.91 (+1.7%)
Total crypto market cap: $3.08 trillion (+1.8%)
Stocks Stay Calm as Earnings Take the Spotlight
Equity markets largely brushed off the tariff headlines. Nasdaq futures rose 0.2%, while South Korea’s Kospi shook off early losses to trade about 0.8% higher, as investors looked ahead to earnings from the “Magnificent Seven” — including Microsoft, Apple, and Tesla — starting Wednesday.
Elsewhere in Asia, MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index (ex-Japan) gained roughly 0.4%. Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.1%, Chinese blue chips were flat, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.4%.
Safe-haven assets stayed in demand. Gold climbed 1% to around $5,066 an ounce, hovering near record highs, while silver jumped 6.4% to $110.60, extending gains after hitting a fresh peak the day before.
Wall Street Momentum Carries Into Earnings Week
Currency markets also saw movement as traders trimmed dollar exposure. The yen strengthened as much as 1.2% to 153.89 per dollar, its strongest level since November. The euro briefly touched $1.1898 before easing back toward $1.18, with talk lingering around possible U.S.–Japan coordination to steady currency swings.
On Wall Street, Monday’s rally extended, pushing the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to their highest levels in over a week heading into the earnings rush.
Bitcoin Faces Headwinds Despite Stability
Despite holding firm, crypto markets continue to face pressure from fading institutional flows. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded their largest weekly outflow since February 2025, reinforcing the view that demand has cooled, at least in the near term.
That backdrop has kept Bitcoin trading defensively. Bitfinex analysts warn the price may remain range-bound between $85,000 and $94,500 unless a clearer demand catalyst emerges.
