Headline: Tether Market Share Climbs as Crypto Sell-Off Deepens
A broad risk-off shift is reshaping digital assets and Asian equities, pushing capital toward perceived havens. Tether’s dominance has risen to its highest level since April as Bitcoin tumbled 11%, reflecting a rapid rotation into stablecoins amid rising volatility and uncertainty over the interest-rate outlook.
The sell-off gathered pace across major tokens: Bitcoin slipped below $98,000, while Ether fell 8% as more than $1 billion in leveraged long positions were liquidated. XRP dropped 7.3% after its ETF debut, breaking $2.30 support on heavy volume and stoking fears of a move toward $2.00. Beyond crypto, caution prevailed across Asia. AI-linked equities saw $4.6 billion in outflows as investors took profits on stretched valuations, while concerns about delayed Federal Reserve rate cuts dampened risk appetite. Regional financial stability remains in focus as Asian banks confront more than $1 billion in potential loan losses tied to China’s property downturn. China’s latest data showed fourth-quarter investment contracting 1.7%, industrial output slowing to 4.9%, and softer retail sales—raising expectations for fresh policy support.
U.S. stock sentiment was mixed. A company trading under the ticker TECH underperformed the S&P 500 with a 15.7% annual decline and a first-quarter sales miss, yet analysts maintained a Strong Buy rating with a $70 price target, underscoring selective optimism even as broader markets recalibrate. For crypto and equities alike, liquidity is rotating toward stability, with traders watching policy signals, credit risks, and key technical levels for direction.
Key Points: – Tether’s market share hit its highest since April as traders sought stablecoin safety. – Bitcoin fell below $98,000 and Ether dropped 8%, with over $1B in leveraged longs wiped out. – XRP slid 7.3% after its ETF debut, breaking $2.30 support and risking a move toward $2.00. – Asia saw $4.6B in AI-stock outflows amid valuation concerns and rate-cut uncertainty. – Asian banks face $1B+ in loan risks linked to China’s property crisis. – China’s Q4 data signaled weaker demand, fueling bets on additional stimulus.
