Headline: Risk-Off Rotation Boosts Tether as Crypto Slides; Asia Faces Outflows and China Drag
Investors are retreating to safety across global markets, sending capital into stablecoins and away from high-beta assets. As Bitcoin and Ethereum sold off sharply and leveraged positions were forced out, Tether’s market share climbed to its highest level since April, signaling an elevated demand for stable value amid rising macro uncertainty and doubts over near-term Fed rate cuts.
In digital assets, Bitcoin fell 11% and briefly slipped below $98,000, while Ethereum dropped 8% as more than $1 billion in leveraged longs were liquidated. XRP declined 7.3% following a recent ETF launch, breaking key support at $2.30 on heavy turnover of 157.9 million; bearish traders are watching the $2.00 level. The shift into Tether (USDT) underscores a broad risk-off tone, as traders prioritize liquidity and lower volatility in the face of tightening financial conditions and uneven growth signals.
Equity sentiment in Asia softened, with AI-related shares seeing $4.6 billion in outflows as investors took profits on stretched valuations. Regional stress intensified as China’s Q4 investment fell 1.7%, industrial output slowed to 4.9%, and retail sales weakened, raising expectations for additional stimulus. Credit concerns persist: Asian banks face more than $1 billion in potential loan losses tied to China’s ongoing property crisis as loan extensions show diminishing effectiveness. In the U.S., TECH shares are down 15.7% for the year, trailing the S&P 500 after a Q1 sales miss, though analysts still maintain a Strong Buy rating with a $70 price target, highlighting a split between cautious macro sentiment and selective stock-level optimism.
Key Points: – Tether (USDT) dominance hits highest since April as investors seek stablecoin safety. – Bitcoin drops 11% below $98,000; Ethereum down 8% with $1B+ in leveraged liquidations. – XRP falls 7.3%, breaks $2.30 support on 157.9M volume; bears target $2.00. – Asia AI stocks see $4.6B in outflows amid valuation concerns and profit-taking. – China weakness: Q4 investment -1.7%, industrial output 4.9%, retail sales softer; stimulus hopes rise. – TECH lags S&P 500 with a 15.7% annual decline; despite a Q1 sales miss, analysts keep a $70 Strong Buy target.
