Gold’s remarkable steadiness near $4,050 per ounce is no accident, according to reports. Beneath the noise of fading rate-cut bets and dollar strength lies a deeper structural force: relentless buying by the world’s central banks. From Beijing to Ankara, policymakers are quietly rewriting the rules of monetary safety, using gold as their hedge against political risk, currency instability, and waning trust in the U.S. financial order.

This demand has become the invisible hand supporting bullion, according to analysts. Even as speculative traders pull back and ETF flows flatten, sovereign buyers are helping to anchor the market. 

With the People’s Bank of China extending its 12-month gold-buying streak and other central banks following suit, gold’s downside risk now looks more like a pause than a collapse - a floor reinforced by nations, not funds.

What’s driving gold right now?

The latest U.S. jobs data has reset expectations across global markets. The September Nonfarm Payrolls report showed a gain of 119,000 jobs, more than double what economists expected, while unemployment inched up to 4.4 %. 

On the surface, the data appears mixed - strong hiring but softening momentum - yet it was enough to prompt investors to dial back their calls on a December rate cut from the Federal Reserve.

That recalibration lifted the dollar and U.S. yields, typically a toxic combination for gold. But the metal barely flinched. The reason is that central-bank demand has altered gold’s sensitivity to policy cycles. 

According to data from the World Gold Council, official sector purchases now account for nearly a quarter of annual demand - a structural shift from a decade ago. When the Fed hesitates, central banks don’t.

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has reported gold purchases for 12 consecutive months, adding 0.9t in October, which lifted the total to 2,304t, representing 8% of China’s foreign exchange reserves and marking a full year of uninterrupted buying. Turkey, Poland, and India have all joined the trend of accumulation.

Why it matters

Market watchers say this quiet sovereign accumulation is reshaping the role of gold in the global financial system. What used to be a “risk-off” trade is now part of the national reserve strategy. The freezing of Russian foreign assets in 2022 prompted governments to reassess their exposure to the dollar-dominated system, and gold emerged as a neutral alternative. 

As Zaner Metals strategist Peter Grant puts it, the latest U.S. jobs data “confirms a slowing yet stable market - but that doesn’t reduce the appetite for safety.”

For policymakers in emerging markets, gold offers something paper assets can’t: insulation from sanctions, inflation, and the politics of currency. For investors, this means that gold’s price is no longer solely a function of interest rates or risk appetite. It’s a geopolitical indicator - a mirror of how much trust remains in the current monetary order.

Impact on markets and investors

The most striking change in this cycle is that gold is holding near record highs even as the U.S. dollar index (DXY) trades at its strongest level in months. The traditional inverse relationship has weakened. According to analysts, both assets are being purchased for the same reason: safety. This dynamic challenges the idea that gold only rallies when rates fall.

For traders, that complicates short-term positioning. With gold now roughly 7% below its October record of $4,380, momentum has cooled, but structural demand remains intact. ETF flows, although mildly negative in recent weeks, show no signs of panic. 

Retail investors have trimmed exposure, but the official sector has replaced them as the marginal buyer. For long-term investors, this shift suggests that pullbacks may offer opportunities rather than warnings, especially if macroeconomic uncertainty deepens into 2026.

Expert outlook

Analysts remain divided on how far this central-bank bid can carry the metal. Goldman Sachs still sees the recent weakness as “a blip, not a reversal,” maintaining that both sovereign and private investment demand will underpin prices through 2026. UBS projects a possible climb to $4,900 per ounce within the next two years, assuming continued diversification away from dollar reserves.

The main risk to that outlook lies in monetary complacency. If U.S. data stays firm and the Fed reaffirms its “higher for longer” stance, speculative interest could fade further. But for now, gold’s resilience speaks for itself. The market is adjusting to a new reality - one where central banks, not traders, set the tone.

Gold technical insights

At the time of writing, Gold (XAU/USD) is trading around the $4,030 region, hovering near the $4,020 support level. The RSI is flat and close to the midline, indicating a lack of strong momentum in either direction - a sign of market indecision.

Meanwhile, Bollinger Bands have started to narrow, reflecting lower volatility after recent swings. The price is oscillating near the mid-band, suggesting a potential consolidation phase before the next breakout.

On the upside, $4,200 and $4,365 remain key resistance levels, where traders may expect profit-taking or renewed buying interest if bullish sentiment returns. Conversely, a break below $4,020 could open the door to the $3,940 support, where increased selling pressure or liquidations may occur.

Key takeaways

Gold’s resilience in late 2025 isn’t a mystery - it’s a message analysts expressed. The same institutions that once trusted U.S. Treasuries are now buying bullion to insure against policy, politics, and uncertainty. Traders may fade the rally, but central banks aren’t flinching. As the Fed navigates a divided policy outlook and global reserves continue to shift eastward, the floor under gold looks as firm as the hands holding it.

Bitcoin’s harsh reset has arrived. The world’s largest cryptocurrency has shed nearly a third of its value since its October peak, slipping toward critical technical levels as exchange-traded fund outflows and macroeconomic headwinds take effect. 

Recent data showed nearly $3 billion has exited Bitcoin ETFs this month alone, turning the same institutional flows that once fuelled the rally into a feedback loop of redemptions and retreat.

Behind the selloff lies a mix of fading Fed-rate-cut hopes, tightening liquidity, and a market paralysed by “extreme fear”. With prices hovering near $85,600 and the one-year low at $74,000 looming, the question is simple but urgent: is this correction a passing flush - or the start of a deeper shift in Bitcoin’s new ETF era?

What’s driving Bitcoin’s correction

Bitcoin’s 30% slide isn’t being driven by scandal or shock - it’s the result of structural forces finally reversing, according to analysts. After two years of relentless inflows, spot Bitcoin ETFs are now experiencing capital outflows. Institutional investors, once hailed as crypto’s stabilisers, are showing how quickly sentiment turns when markets wobble.

According to Farside data, ETF redemptions have occurred on all but four days this month, stripping nearly $3 billion in net outflows.

Part of that retreat stems from shifting macro conditions. The Federal Reserve’s reluctance to confirm rate cuts has strengthened the US dollar, drawing liquidity away from speculative assets. 

Past movements have shown that a stronger dollar typically weighs on Bitcoin, and with inflation readings still sticky, traders are reassessing the narrative of “easy money” returning in December. The result is a market where rallies are met with selling rather than enthusiasm - a sharp turn from the euphoria that drove Bitcoin to $126,000 just weeks ago.

Why it matters

Bitcoin’s selloff is revealing just how tightly traditional and digital markets are now intertwined. ETFs opened the floodgates for institutional exposure, but they also linked Bitcoin to broader risk trends. When investors pull money from ETF products, the effect ricochets through liquidity pools and sentiment alike. 

As Matt Williams of Luxor explained, “The drop to $86,000 is largely driven by macro forces - rate expectations, inflation - and by large holders cutting exposure after breaking key technical supports.”

For traders, this is a psychological turning point. The same retail crowd that once flooded exchanges during Thanksgiving 2017 - when Bitcoin first crossed $10,000 - is largely silent now. 

Social data from Santiment shows sentiment evenly split between predictions of a plunge below $70,000 and wild optimism for a rally to $130,000. The divide signals indecision, not conviction. In this phase, fear - not fundamentals - is setting the tone.

Impact on markets and investors

The selloff has spilled beyond the crypto space. Bitcoin’s correlation with equity indices, such as the Nasdaq 100, has climbed above 0.8 at times, meaning that moves in tech stocks and digital assets now feed off the same macro triggers. When rate optimism fades, both markets suffer. That link cuts against Bitcoin’s long-standing claim as a hedge against monetary risk.

ETF outflows are another pressure point. As funds are redeemed, liquidity providers are compelled to unwind their positions in futures and spot markets, thereby deepening volatility. 

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which plunged to 14 this week - its lowest since February - underscores how rapidly sentiment has deteriorated. Analysts like Rachael Lucas of BTC Markets warn that momentum, money flow, and volume trends “all reflect a sharp deterioration in sentiment,” driven by macro tightening and risk-off positioning.

In the background, liquidity providers are struggling. Tom Lee of Fundstrat compared crypto market makers to “central banks” of digital liquidity - and right now, those banks are running dry. 

Following October’s $20 billion liquidation wave, market makers are operating with smaller balance sheets, which limits their ability to absorb order flow. It’s a reminder that crypto’s plumbing, though more sophisticated, is still fragile.

Expert outlook

Analysts are torn between caution and curiosity. Nic Puckrin of Coin Bureau describes the current landscape as a “bull-bear tug of war,” with macroeconomic pessimism offset by resilience in the tech sector. 

Nvidia’s earnings beat briefly lifted risk appetite, but Bitcoin failed to follow through, suggesting traders are still unwinding rather than reloading. Puckrin pegs the next resistance at $107,500, if a rebound can gain traction.

Andre Dragosch of Bitwise sees parallels to past mid-cycle corrections, noting that the depth and duration of this decline “remain consistent with interim pullbacks in previous bull markets.” His base case still anticipates the cycle extending into 2026, driven by gradual global monetary easing. 

For now, though, short-term risk remains tilted lower, with $85,600 and $74,000 as the two critical levels to watch. Hold those, and Bitcoin could form a base; lose them, and the next flush could be swift.

The bigger picture: Could Bitcoin trigger a financial crisis?

Despite the panic, Bitcoin remains relatively small compared to the real financial system. The total crypto market stands around $3–4 trillion, with Bitcoin representing roughly half. In contrast, global financial assets exceed $400 trillion. Past collapses, such as FTX in 2022 and Terra in 2021, caused chaos within the crypto industry but barely rippled across global markets.

That said, every cycle pulls crypto closer to traditional finance. ETFs, corporate holdings, and stablecoins backed by US Treasuries have created real linkages. A severe Bitcoin crash could trigger ETF redemptions, hurt balance sheets at companies holding BTC, and pressure stablecoins to liquidate their Treasury assets. None of that would cause a 2008-style crisis today - but as the overlap grows, the line between “crypto crash” and “financial contagion” gets thinner.

Bitcoin technical insights

At the time of writing, Bitcoin (BTC/USD) is trading around the $84,200 mark after an extended downtrend. The RSI has plunged sharply into oversold territory, signalling intense bearish momentum and the potential for a short-term relief bounce if buyers step in.

A death cross - where the 50-day moving average has fallen below the 200-day moving average - reinforces the bearish bias, suggesting further downside pressure in the near term.

Key resistance levels sit at $106,260, $115,200, and $123,950, where traders may expect profit-taking or renewed buying interest if recovery attempts occur. Failure to reclaim these zones could see Bitcoin remain under pressure, with sentiment staying fragile amid persistent selling.

Key takeaways

Bitcoin’s decline isn’t an accident - it’s a stress test of its new reality. The ETF era has tied the cryptocurrency closer to the global financial system, for better and worse. Liquidity, once a tailwind, now cuts both ways. Fear dominates, but deep corrections are part of Bitcoin’s DNA.

If those two lines - $85,600 and $74,000 - hold firm, many say this reset may end up looking like just another cleansing phase before the next wave of institutional demand. Lose them, and Bitcoin’s harsh reset could turn into something much deeper.

Yes - the AI boom is back on track, according to analysts, just in a different gear. Nvidia’s latest earnings didn’t inflate another round of hype; they restored confidence that artificial intelligence is entering its scale phase, not its speculative one. 

Nvidia investors are bracing for a $300 billion surge in market value after the chipmaker reported its first sales acceleration in seven quarters, signalling that AI demand isn’t fading - it’s normalising into a sustainable growth cycle.

For months, markets were haunted by talk of “peak AI.” However, Nvidia’s results - record data centre revenue, renewed partnerships, and a 5% share spike in after-hours trading - show the story isn’t one of collapse, but calibration. This isn’t a bubble bursting; it’s the industry learning how to breathe again.

What’s driving Nvidia’s momentum

At the core of Nvidia’s dominance in artificial intelligence architecture is its data centre segment, which surpassed $50 billion this quarter, a milestone reached earlier than analysts expected. 

This reflects an industrial-scale buildout, not a speculative frenzy. The surge in demand from AI workloads has transformed GPUs from niche products into the backbone of modern computing, powering everything from ChatGPT to enterprise cloud systems.

CEO Jensen Huang captured it best: “We’re in every cloud.” That ubiquity underpins Nvidia’s stability. Its chips are not optional - they’re essential infrastructure. With Blackwell GPUs offering up to 40 times faster inference speeds than the previous generation, the company isn’t chasing hype; it’s engineering the next leap in computational efficiency.

Why it matters

Nvidia’s report acts as a barometer for the AI economy. The stock’s post-earnings rally wasn’t just about profits; it was about validation. The market had priced in fear after days of tech sell-offs, but Nvidia’s blowout numbers reintroduced realism. 

Analysts like Julian Emanuel of Evercore ISI summed up the pre-earnings tension: “The angst around ‘peak AI’ has been palpable.” Those fears evaporated when Nvidia showed that demand isn’t flattening - it’s broadening.

The company’s performance has become closely tied to the trajectory of U.S. equities. With AI now a structural growth driver, Nvidia’s consistency reassures investors that this is an economic revolution in progress, not a fleeting mania. Its $5 trillion valuation last month wasn’t an aberration; it was a preview of scale yet to come.

Impact on global markets

The aftershocks were immediate. Tech indices that had stumbled under the weight of “AI fatigue” rebounded as Nvidia reignited investor faith. Asian markets opened higher, and S&P futures turned positive, driven by renewed conviction that the AI trade still has legs. Even after a period of correction - Meta down 19%, Oracle off 20% - Nvidia’s performance reaffirmed that the long-term AI thesis remains intact.

Beyond markets, Nvidia’s results signal a new capital cycle. Its multibillion-dollar partnerships with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic aren’t one-off investments; they’re structural commitments to an AI-driven infrastructure era. Every dollar of GPU spending feeds into an ecosystem that’s building capacity for the next generation of models, data centres, and intelligent services.

Expert outlook

Forecasts are being rewritten. McKinsey estimates $7 trillion in AI infrastructure spending by 2030, with $5.2 trillion going toward data centres. According to McKinsey, we will also see significant incremental AI capacity added every year through to 2030. 

Nvidia’s share of that pie could exceed 50%, given its current dominance and design lead. Some analysts even project a $20 trillion market capitalisation by 2030 if the company maintains its pace of innovation.

Still, this is not a frictionless ascent. Export restrictions to China and the rise of custom silicon from rivals like AMD and Google pose challenges. Yet Nvidia’s edge isn’t just its hardware - it’s the CUDA software ecosystem, which locks developers and enterprises into its platform. As long as AI workloads require versatility and performance across models and frameworks, Nvidia’s moat will hold.

Nvidia technical analysis

At the time of writing, Nvidia’s stock (NVDA) is hovering around $186, showing early signs of recovery after a short-term pullback. The RSI is rising sharply from the midline near 50, indicating that bullish momentum may be building as buying pressure intensifies.

Meanwhile, the Bollinger Bands are starting to narrow slightly, signalling a potential volatility squeeze that could precede a directional breakout. The price is currently positioned around the middle band, indicating a balance between buying and selling forces.

On the downside, support levels lie at $180 and $168. A drop below $180 may trigger further selling or stop-loss liquidations, while a break under $168 could confirm a deeper correction. On the upside, the key resistance sits at $208, where profit-taking and fresh buying activity are likely to intensify if the price breaks above it.

Key takeaway

Nvidia’s potential $300bn surge isn’t a sign of euphoria - it’s a reality check for those betting on an AI crash. The company’s results confirm that artificial intelligence has moved beyond the phase of promise into proof. As capital shifts from prototypes to platforms, the question isn’t whether AI will endure - it’s how fast it will reshape every market it touches. For now, Nvidia remains the pulse of that transformation.

For traders navigating that transformation, platforms like Deriv MT5 offer exposure to the tech rally’s next phase - while tools such as the Deriv trading calculator provide the precision to manage risk as the AI-driven market matures.

Oil prices are caught in a tug-of-war that defines the entire energy narrative right now - sanctions versus surplus. As Washington’s latest restrictions on Russian oil giants, such as Rosneft and Lukoil, take effect, traders are wondering whether this will finally squeeze supply enough to lift prices or if swelling inventories and record U.S. output will keep them grounded.

WTI crude has hovered near $60 in recent sessions, reflecting that same indecision. Every headline about sanctions sparks a flicker of optimism; every inventory report snuffs it out. The outcome of this standoff - between geopolitics and fundamentals - will decide whether oil’s next move is a breakout or another false dawn.

What’s driving the rebound

According to analysts, the recent oil bounce is largely fuelled by heightened concern over Russia’s export flows.  In a press release issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the United States and allied countries have imposed sweeping sanctions targeting major Russian oil producers, including Rosneft and Lukoil, along with hundreds of vessels from the “shadow fleet”. 

These measures are designed to choke off Russia’s oil revenues and, by extension, reduce its export volumes. The logic is simple: fewer barrels from Russia = tighter global supply = higher prices. But the counter-force is significant: global supply remains robust, and demand isn’t bouncing back as expected. 

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), non-OPEC+ production is forecast to grow by 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, while demand growth is projected at just 0.79 million bpd, signalling a structural surplus unless changes occur. 

Meanwhile, data show that Russia’s output and export adapt-workarounds remain effective so far - Russian production rose by about 100,000 bpd even after sanctions. Thus, the rebound is caught between a genuine supply shock narrative and a stubborn demand/stock overhang, and whether prices break out depends on which side prevails.

Why it matters

For traders, producers and consumers, this dynamic is far from academic. A sustained rally driven by supply constraints would favour oil-heavy portfolios, refining margins, and exporting nations. Conversely, if oversupply persists and demand disappoints, even the sanction narrative won’t save prices. As one senior energy analyst noted: “The market doesn’t expect much lost supply until enforcement becomes indisputable.”

For Russia and its global buyers, the stakes are high. Russia’s oil and gas revenues plunged by 27% in October 2025 compared to the same month a year earlier, reflecting the pressure of sanctions even as volumes held up through workarounds. 

At the same time, major oil importers such as India and China have been increasing their Russian cargoes in recent months before the November plunge, which has cast doubts about continued oil flows to those countries.

So, if importers continue to absorb discounted Russian barrels, global supply may remain ample even though the narrative suggests otherwise. On the consumer end, if oil prices are kept low due to oversupply, fuel costs remain manageable. If supply loss dominates, refined-product prices (diesel, gasoline) could rise, feeding inflation and impacting economic growth - a risk to be watched for in both developed and emerging markets.

Impact on the market

In practical terms, the battle lines are drawn according to analysts. On the supply-risk side, if sanctions bite and Russian exports drop materially, markets may tighten quickly, and oil prices could rally. 

The risk premium is already reflected in crude spreads: the discount for Russian Urals crude versus global benchmarks jumped to around US$19 per barrel by early November, as buyers shunned Russian cargoes, according to a report by Meduza. That suggests the sanction effect may be starting to crack.

But on the flip side, tracking data suggest that Russian flows are still being rerouted, and global producers (especially shale, Brazil and the U.S.) are responding. With U.S. production at record levels and inventories increasing, the oversupply story remains viable, according to industry commentators. If demand remains weak - for instance, from China or the global industry - then any supply-shock rally may be short-lived, and prices could retreat.

Refining and trade flows are also adjusting. Dealers and refiners are now considering discounted Russian crude, longer shipping routes, and higher freight and insurance costs - all of which increase complexity but don’t necessarily immediately reduce volumes. Until actual barrel losses show up in export data, the market may remain in limbo, reluctant to commit to strong upward momentum.

Expert outlook

According to analysts, the most probable scenario is a market stuck in a range-bound trading pattern, punctuated by bursts of volatility. That is, oil may temporarily rally on rumours of sanctions or supply disruptions, but unless demand proves stronger and supply genuinely tightens, the move may lack legs. Reuters reported that the IEA continues to expect supply growth outpacing demand this year. 

If enforcement of sanctions tightens ­- for example, if shadow-fleet tankers are blocked, insurance costs spike or major importers pull back from Russian oil - then we could see a meaningful rally. 

On the demand front, counter-signals to watch include refining run-rates (which remain under pressure), travel and mobility trends, and China’s petro-chemical demand. Until one of these breaks clearly favourably, the oversupply story will likely keep a lid on prices.

In short, the supply risk is real, but it hasn’t yet overridden the oversupply/weak-demand backdrop. Until that happens, the rally remains tentative.

Oil technical insights

At the time of writing, US Oil is trading around $59.50, consolidating within a narrow range as momentum starts to stabilise. The RSI is climbing sharply from the midline near 50, hinting at strengthening bullish momentum and suggesting that buyers may be regaining short-term control.

The Bollinger Bands (10, close) are relatively tight, signalling reduced volatility and the potential for a breakout. Price action remains centred around the middle band, showing indecision but with a slight upward bias as buyers attempt to push above the mid-range.

Key support levels are found at $58.26 and $56.85, where a break lower could trigger further selling pressure or stop-loss liquidations. On the upside, resistance sits at $62.00 and $65.00 - levels where profit-taking and stronger buying activity could emerge if the market breaks higher.

Key takeaway

The oil market is at a crossroads where the sanction-driven supply-risk narrative clashes with the solid structural reality of oversupply and weak demand. While the latest Russian sanctions have sharpened the risk premium, global production and inventories remain elevated and demand remains fragile. 

Unless export losses are real and demand picks up, the oversupply story will likely keep oil prices pinned. The next key signals to monitor: export data from Russia, inventory changes globally and demand indicators from Asia and the U.S. Stay alert - this is a high-stakes battle that could tip either way.

For traders navigating the oil market, Deriv MT5 offers exposure to both WTI and Brent. Meanwhile, tools such as the Deriv trading calculator provide the precision needed to manage risk as the AI-driven market matures.

Reports indicate that the Japanese yen is struggling to maintain its stability as Japan’s fiscal and monetary priorities diverge in opposite directions. A massive ¥25 trillion stimulus plan from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has reignited concerns about inflation and weighed on the currency, while the Bank of Japan’s cautious stance on rate hikes offers little support. The result is a yen pinned near a nine-month low, with the USD/JPY pair hovering around ¥155.

Many say Japan’s policy tug-of-war is tilting decisively against the yen. Unless the government and central bank find common ground, traders may see further weakness - especially if the dollar remains buoyed by a patient but firm Federal Reserve.

What’s driving USD/JPY

The yen’s weakness stems from a widening policy divide inside Japan’s leadership. Prime Minister Takaichi’s administration has revived Abenomics-style stimulus, prioritising fiscal expansion to boost wages and consumer demand.

Lawmakers have proposed a supplementary budget exceeding ¥25 trillion, stoking concerns over rising debt issuance and sending 40-year Japanese government bond yields to record highs.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is caught between political pressure and macroeconomic caution. Inflation, currently around 2.9%, remains above target, yet the prime minister insists on keeping rates low until wage growth - not food or energy costs - drives price stability. 

Governor Kazuo Ueda has hinted at tightening if inflation persists, but uneven growth complicates matters: GDP grew 1.1% year-on-year, yet contracted 0.4% quarter-on-quarter. This tug-of-war has left investors unsure whether Japan’s policies are reflating the economy or eroding its currency.

Why it matters

This internal conflict is redefining how global markets view the yen. Once seen as a safe-haven anchor, it’s now behaving more like a risk currency, moving with rather than against global sentiment. “Japan has added a tumultuous element - they’re a little more wild, a little more volatile,” said Juan Perez of Monex USA. That volatility reflects a new reality: fiscal expansion is now Japan’s dominant narrative, while monetary prudence takes a back seat.

For traders, the risk is that verbal intervention replaces actual action. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama has expressed concern over the yen’s sharp depreciation, but Tokyo has so far refrained from stepping into the market. Intervention is likely only if USD/JPY breaches ¥156 decisively - a level seen as politically sensitive rather than economically critical by analysts.

Impact across markets

According to reports, the consequences of Japan’s fiscal-monetary split are evident across its bond and currency markets. The yield curve has steepened sharply as investors price in heavier debt issuance, while near-zero short-term rates keep domestic liquidity abundant. This imbalance encourages capital outflows, as investors seek higher yields abroad, further putting downward pressure on the yen.

Across the Pacific, the Federal Reserve’s steadiness has reinforced dollar strength. Officials such as Philip Jefferson and Christopher Waller continue to advocate patience on rate cuts, trimming the probability of a December reduction to around 48%, down from 60% last week (CME FedWatch). 

According to analysts, as long as this interest-rate gap persists, the dollar will remain structurally favoured against the yen, - and any yen rallies will likely prove temporary.

Expert outlook

Analysts see little relief for the yen in the near term. Barclays recommends holding a long position on the dollar against the yen, arguing that Takaichi’s expansionary agenda will suppress domestic yields and maintain downward pressure on the currency. Still, a sustained climb beyond ¥156 could test Tokyo’s resolve and force coordinated intervention.

The next key event is the delayed US Non-Farm Payrolls report, expected to provide fresh insight into labour market conditions. A weaker reading could trigger short-term dollar selling, allowing the yen to recover briefly. Yet without a policy shift in Japan, that reprieve may be short-lived. For now, the yen’s trajectory is dictated less by data and more by the dissonance between fiscal ambition and monetary caution.

USD/JPY technical insight

At the time of writing, USD/JPY is trading around 155.45, extending gains within a price discovery zone as bullish momentum persists. The pair is hugging the upper Bollinger Band, signalling strong buying pressure but also hinting at a possible overextension.

The RSI is climbing toward the overbought region, reinforcing the risk of a short-term pullback or profit-taking. Immediate support lies at 152.96, followed by 146.45, where a breakdown could trigger sell liquidations and accelerate downside movement.

However, as long as prices hold above the middle Bollinger Band and 153.00, the broader uptrend could remain intact, supported by policy divergence between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan.

Key takeaway

Japan’s yen problem isn’t just about markets - it’s about messaging. Expansionary fiscal policy collides with a hesitant central bank, leaving investors unsure which signal to follow. The result is a currency under sustained strain, with verbal intervention doing little to stop the slide. Unless Tokyo finds alignment between stimulus and stability, the yen’s effort to hold its ground may remain more symbolic than successful.

Gold has climbed back above $4,050 per ounce, stabilising after a sharp two-week selloff that pulled the metal down from record highs. The move reflects what analysts increasingly describe as a reversion to the mean - a natural correction following a steep run from $3,450 to $4,380 earlier in the quarter. 

With the long-delayed US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report now in focus, traders are watching whether this consolidation is a breather before the next leg up. The broader backdrop remains tense. Hawkish Federal Reserve remarks, delayed data from the US government shutdown, and continued geopolitical stress are all reshaping sentiment. Yet, behind the noise, gold’s pullback looks less like weakness - and more like equilibrium returning.

What’s driving gold’s mean reversion

The latest correction follows months of relentless buying, fuelled by soft US data, de-dollarisation flows, and record central-bank accumulation. Gold’s sprint from $3,450 to $4,380 outpaced fundamentals, leaving technical indicators stretched and sentiment euphoric.

Now, as traders recalibrate expectations for a December rate cut - pricing in a 48.9% chance according to CME FedWatch - the metal has slipped back toward its midrange, around $4,050–$4,100, where short-term and long-term averages converge.

This retreat also mirrors a psychological reset. Markets are digesting the Fed’s cautious tone, with Vice Chair Philip Jefferson urging a “slow approach” to policy changes and regional presidents Bostic and Schmid signalling preference for steady rates. Those comments, paired with delayed macro data, have thinned speculative positions and allowed gold to breathe. In effect, the market is rediscovering balance - a hallmark of mean reversion after an overextended move.

Why it matters

Gold’s mean reversion tells a deeper story about trust and monetary fatigue. As Citadel’s Ken Griffin noted, the rising price of gold reflects “a loss of trust first in US Treasuries, then in G7 bond markets.” Investors are responding not to short-term volatility, but to structural concerns about government debt and the stability of fiat currency.

Analysts at Deutsche Bank maintain that the medium-term trend remains intact, projecting an average gold price of $4,000 per ounce next year. They highlight “elevated official demand” - a reference to sustained central-bank buying.

In October, China’s central bank added 0.9 tonnes to its reserves, marking its 12th straight month of accumulation. Ongoing purchases throughout 2025 have lifted China’s official gold reserves to 2,304.5 tonnes. 

This underlines that while traders may be reverting to the mean, nations are not - they’re steadily diversifying away from the dollar.

Impact across markets

In China, investor appetite for gold remains vigorous even during the correction. ETF inflows jumped RMB 32 billion (US$4.5 billion) in October, pushing total holdings to a record 227 tonnes. 

Physical demand, measured by withdrawals from the Shanghai Gold Exchange, rose 17 tonnes year-on-year to 124 tonnes, defying seasonal softness. The data suggests that investors see dips as opportunities, not red flags.

Globally, the story is similar. Soft US employment data and climbing jobless claims have tempered the dollar’s strength, nudging investors back into gold and silver. 

Still, there’s awareness that a stronger NFP print or easing geopolitical risk could stall momentum. Even so, mean reversion isn’t a bearish event - it’s the market’s way of restoring order after a speculative sprint. And order, in uncertain times, is the most bullish foundation of all.

Expert outlook

Most analysts agree that gold’s medium-term trajectory remains higher, although near-term volatility will hinge on the US jobs data and the Fed’s stance in December. Independent trader Tai Wong says, “soft data is slightly boosting hopes for a December cut - helping gold and silver, which are trying to break a three-day losing streak.” That sentiment captures the current equilibrium: cautious optimism tempered by macro prudence.

If the NFP report underperforms, gold could swiftly retest $4,200, according to analysts. If it surprises to the upside, a dip toward $3,950 would complete a textbook mean reversion cycle before stabilising. Either way, the long-term bull case - driven by de-dollarisation, AI-driven labour disruption, and inflation inertia - remains intact. The question isn’t whether gold rises again, but when.

Gold technical analysis

At the time of writing, XAU/USD is trading near $4,088, rebounding from the lower Bollinger Band as buyers re-enter the market. The Bollinger Bands are beginning to widen after a period of contraction, suggesting that volatility may be returning.

The RSI is rising sharply from the midline, signalling improving bullish momentum. Key resistance levels are seen at $4,200 and $4,365, where profit-taking or further buying could occur if gold breaks higher. On the downside, a fall below $3,940 would likely trigger sell liquidations, exposing deeper support at $3,630.

Overall, gold appears to be in the early stages of a potential bullish continuation, with the technical setup hinting at renewed upside pressure if momentum sustains above the mid-Bollinger Band.

Key takeaway

Gold’s pullback to the $4,000 zone isn’t weakness - it’s rhythm. A reversion to the mean after a parabolic rise is how sustainable trends reset. Beneath short-term volatility, the drivers of this bull phase - de-dollarisation, central-bank accumulation, and macro distrust - remain fully in play. As the US jobs data and Fed decisions unfold, this pause could mark the quiet before gold’s next major rally.

Bitcoin slipped below 90,000 dollars on Tuesday, extending a selloff that has erased its 2025 gains and pushed sentiment toward the bleak end of the spectrum. Spot prices printed as low as 89,420 dollars, the weakest level since February, only six weeks after setting a record near 126,250 dollars.

The breakdown coincided with a bearish technical crossover known as a death cross and increasingly hesitant fund flows into U.S. spot ETFs. 

Together with macro anxiety around the rate path, these factors have tightened liquidity and amplified swings across majors. The next phase hinges on whether price can quickly reclaim lost support and whether ETF prints stabilise from recent choppiness.

What’s driving the slide

The proximate trigger is technical: Bitcoin fell back through reclaimed support near 93,700 dollars, lost its 200-day moving average, and then registered a death cross as the 50-day slipped beneath the 200-day. 

On its own the signal is imperfect, but in weak liquidity regimes it often coincides with multi-week drawdowns as momentum traders de-risk.

Flows add fuel. U.S. spot ETF activity has turned choppy after heavy intake earlier in the year, with trackers showing sequences of outflows or flat prints that blunt marginal demand. When the incremental demand fades, price tends to chase lower liquidity pockets until new buyers emerge. Recent dashboards corroborate the stop-start nature of ETF demand. CoinDesk+1.

The Mt. Gox repayments - a trigger, not the cause

Adding fuel to the fire, over 10,600 BTC (worth roughly $953 million) were transferred from Mt. Gox wallets on 18 November 2025, marking the first such movement in eight months. 

The long-running repayment saga, stemming from the 2014 collapse of the world’s then-largest exchange, has left creditors waiting over a decade for compensation.

While some feared that repayments could unleash fresh supply, blockchain data shows these movements were administrative, not market sales. Still, perception alone was enough to unsettle sentiment, sparking liquidations and feeding the broader risk-off tone. Analysts now estimate over 230,000 trading accounts were liquidated within 24 hours, totalling more than $1 billion in forced sell orders.

Why this matters

Sentiment has swung hard into fear. CoinDesk flagged “extreme fear” conditions into the weekend and early week, aligning with widely followed gauges that punish downside volatility and negative breadth. In past cycles, similar extremes have marked acceleration phases within larger drawdowns or short-lived exhaustion points.

The macro overlay is not helping. Traders are parsing shifting expectations for U.S. rate cuts and inflation risks tied to policy developments, a mix that reduces risk appetite and tightens crypto liquidity. Reuters’ read-across captures the mood: a near 30 percent retreat from the October peak and growing caution among institutions.

Impact on markets and participants

Price leadership rotated back to bitcoin as traders sold altcoins to manage risk, a pattern visible when social attention and volumes consolidate in the benchmark asset during stress. Ether and other large caps have tracked lower alongside, while crypto-linked equities have generally underperformed on drawdown days, transmitting crypto volatility into listed proxies.

For allocators, ETF prints serve as the cleanest real-time barometer of spot demand. Multi-day flat or negative flows often coincide with fragility in order books and heavier slippage, which is why desks are laser-focused on whether the next sequence turns positive again. If it doesn’t, the unfilled liquidity pocket toward 86,000–88,000 dollars cited by traders continues to be a live risk.

Expert outlook

CoinDesk’s market desk notes that fear spikes of this magnitude have sometimes preceded relief rallies, particularly when realised-loss pressure begins to stabilise and ETF outflows slow. That requires confirmation: a swift reclaim of broken support and evidence of renewed net inflows. Until then, technicals and positioning argue for elevated two-way volatility.

Long-horizon investors continue to point at structural adoption and institutional participation as reasons to stay constructive on multi-year horizons. Dan Tapiero, whose 50T platform backs later-stage crypto companies, frames short-term turbulence as noise against a secular build-out, a view he has reiterated while forecasting a much larger digital-asset economy over the next decade.

Bitcoin price technical insight

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) continues its downward trajectory after forming a death cross, with the 50-day moving average (MA) crossing below the 200-day MA - a classic bearish signal suggesting extended downside pressure. The price is currently hovering near $91,000, after repeatedly failing to hold above key resistance levels at $106,685, $114,000, and $124,650, where prior rallies saw heavy profit-taking and FOMO-driven buying.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dipped into oversold territory, indicating that selling momentum may be overextended and a short-term technical rebound could occur. However, as long as BTC remains below the 50-day MA, the broader trend remains bearish, with traders likely to view any bounce as a chance to sell into strength.

Key takeaway

Bitcoin’s slide below $90,000 reflects a convergence of technical breakdown, hesitant ETF demand, and a risk-off macro tone. The resulting fear spike is typical of late-stage selloffs, but it needs flow confirmation before calling a durable low. Watch for a quick reclaim of the $ 90,000 - $93,000 zone and a run of positive ETF prints to validate any rebound attempt. Until then, expect elevated volatility and tighter liquidity conditions.

Japan’s bond market is rewriting the rules of the global foreign exchange market. The country’s 10-year government bond (JGB) yield has surged to 1.73% - its highest level since June 2008 - as markets brace for a ¥17 trillion (£88 billion / $110 billion) fiscal stimulus and a further reduction in Bank of Japan (BoJ) bond purchases. The move signals the beginning of a new phase: the yen carry trade in reverse.

As domestic yields rise, Japanese investors are increasingly repatriating funds from abroad, strengthening the yen and unsettling one of the world’s longest-standing funding trades. 

The question now dominating markets is clear - will this shift pull USD/JPY back from its multi-decade highs near 156, or force the BoJ and Ministry of Finance (MoF) to intervene once again to stabilise the currency?

Key takeaways

• Japan’s 10-year bond yield has reached 1.73%, the highest since 2008, as markets price in rising inflation, fiscal stimulus, and reduced BoJ support.
  
• The BoJ’s gradual normalisation - with short-term rates now at 0.5% - is driving a global reassessment of the yen’s funding role.
  
• A planned ¥17 trillion stimulus aims to offset Japan’s 0.4% GDP contraction in Q3 but risks adding inflationary pressure.
  
• Rising yields are drawing capital back into Japan, prompting a partial unwinding of the yen carry trade.
  
• USD/JPY faces key resistance near 155–156, a zone where past interventions have been triggered.
  

Japan bond yields go up to breach the 1.7 mark

After nearly two decades of near-zero yields, Japan’s bond market is finally moving under its own weight. 

The 10-year JGB yield, which stayed below 1% for years due to the BoJ’s Yield Curve Control (YCC), has now broken decisively higher - a sign that investors expect sustained inflation, more fiscal spending, and a lighter BoJ hand in the market.

Several forces have converged:

• The BoJ is tapering bond purchases, reducing artificial demand for JGBs.
  
• Short-term policy rates have been raised to 0.5%, marking the end of an era of negative rates.
  
• A massive stimulus plan under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to inject over ¥17 trillion into the economy through tax cuts, infrastructure spending, and household support.
  

Together, these dynamics have pushed bond yields to levels unseen since the global financial crisis, marking what analysts describe as the end of Japan’s “zero-cost money” era.

Higher yields despite Japan’s fragile economy

Despite higher yields, Japan’s economy remains fragile. Data from the Cabinet Office show that GDP contracted by 0.4% in Q3, its first decline in six quarters. Weak residential investment and subdued consumer demand dragged growth lower, even as exports rebounded slightly in September.

BNP Paribas economist Ryutaro Kono noted that while the contraction is not “particularly serious”, it highlights uneven recovery momentum. Still, the forthcoming stimulus package - expected to be approved soon - aims to restore confidence and support households facing rising living costs.

Yet the market reaction suggests scepticism. Investors view fiscal expansion as inflationary and debt-heavy. With Japan’s public debt exceeding 230% of GDP, every new round of spending increases pressure on the bond market - and by extension, the yen.

The mechanics: Why higher yields strengthen the yen

The surge in Japanese yields has immediate foreign exchange implications, particularly for the USD/JPY exchange rate.

1. Repatriation of capital

Japan’s institutional investors - who collectively hold trillions of dollars in foreign bonds - are now finding better returns at home. As domestic yields climb, they begin selling U.S. Treasuries, European debt, and emerging market assets to reinvest in JGBs. This process increases demand for yen, supporting its value against major currencies.

2. Unwinding the carry trade

The yen carry trade - borrowing in low-yielding yen to buy higher-yielding assets abroad - has been a cornerstone of global markets for years. With Japanese rates rising, this trade becomes less profitable. Traders must buy yen to repay loans, triggering powerful short-term rallies. 

3. Yield Differentials and Global Comparison

Even with U.S. 10-year yields near 4–5%, Japan’s rapid shift from near-zero to 1.7% is significant. For Japanese investors who once earned nothing on domestic bonds, the new yield environment is competitive enough to slow outflows and boost inflows, tilting currency dynamics in favour of the yen.

Yen policy trade-offs: Growth, debt, and stability

For the BoJ, this shift poses a major challenge. Governor Kazuo Ueda must balance a weak economy, rising inflation, and market volatility. The ¥17 trillion fiscal push could revive domestic demand, but it also risks fueling inflation expectations and adding strain to already high debt levels.

If yields rise too high, the BoJ may need to intervene in bond markets again or issue verbal guidance to temper speculation. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama has already warned she is “watching FX moves with a sense of urgency”. Historically, such language has preceded yen-supportive interventions, particularly when USD/JPY nears 155–156 - a zone Credit Agricole analysts flag as Tokyo’s soft intervention threshold.

Geopolitics: China tensions and trade headwinds

External risks compound Japan’s policy dilemma. Relations with China have deteriorated following Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan, prompting mutual travel warnings and raising fears of trade retaliation.

Economists such as Marcel Thieliant at Capital Economics warn that restrictions on rare earth exports or Japanese goods could escalate into a broader trade dispute - one that hurts exporters already under pressure from Chinese electric vehicle competition.

These tensions could trigger safe-haven inflows into the yen, but they also risk weakening Japan’s export engine - another reason why policymakers may resist further currency volatility.

USD/JPY forecast: Scenarios for late 2025

In the near term, a test of 145–148 remains plausible as capital returns home. But if the U.S. Federal Reserve delays rate cuts - keeping U.S. yields high - USD/JPY could stay anchored closer to 150–153.

Either way, the BoJ’s tolerance threshold around 156 is becoming a critical line for traders to watch. Traders can monitor these levels directly on Deriv MT5, which offers live market depth and advanced charting to track yen volatility in real time.

USD/JPY technical analysis

At the time of writing, USD/JPY is trading around 154.72, holding just below a fresh price discovery zone. The RSI sits flat just below the overbought threshold, signalling that bullish momentum remains strong but may be nearing exhaustion if no further upside breakout occurs.

Meanwhile, Bollinger Bands are expanding, indicating an increase in volatility. The price is hugging the upper band, reflecting sustained buying pressure - though such positioning often precedes short-term pullbacks or consolidation phases.

On the downside, immediate support lies at 153.00, with further key levels at 150.00 and 146.45. A break below these levels could trigger sell liquidations or panic selling, especially if sentiment turns against the dollar.

Overall, momentum currently favours the bulls, but with the RSI nearing overbought territory and price extended along the upper Bollinger Band, traders should watch for possible short-term corrections before any continuation higher.

Global ripple effects of yen

Japan’s yield shift is not an isolated story. As the world’s largest creditor nation, any repatriation of Japanese funds can affect global bond markets:

• U.S. Treasuries: Selling pressure from Japanese investors could lift U.S. yields.
  
• Europe and Australia: Investors may rebalance towards JGBs, driving global yield convergence.
  
• Emerging markets: Funding costs could rise as yen liquidity tightens.
  

The implications are profound - the end of Japan’s zero-yield era may gradually unwind two decades of global risk-taking built on cheap yen funding.

Investment and trading implications of yen

For traders, Japan’s bond market is now the most important variable in the yen equation.

• Short-term outlook: Higher JGB yields and repatriation flows could push USD/JPY lower towards 145–148, especially if U.S. yields stabilise.
  
• Medium-term: Fiscal stimulus and persistent inflation may keep yields elevated but volatile, anchoring USD/JPY near 150–153.
  

Intervention watch: If the pair nears 156, expect stronger verbal warnings and possible BoJ/MoF coordination.

EUR/USD remains range-bound as markets await clarity from delayed U.S. inflation data. The pair has been trading between 1.156 and 1.166, with traders hesitant to commit until the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures reveal whether the Federal Reserve will maintain its dovish stance or pause further easing. 

The absence of data has reduced volatility and left the euro steady against a softening dollar, as markets weigh growth slowdowns, shifting rate expectations, and improving global risk sentiment.

Key takeaways

• EUR/USD holds steady near 1.1642, trading within a narrow 1.156–1.166 band as traders await CPI data.
  
• U.S. data delays following the government shutdown have frozen market direction and undermined dollar momentum.
  
• Policy divergence is narrowing, with the Fed edging towards cuts while the ECB holds steady.
  
• Eurozone stability and improving sentiment contrast with U.S. uncertainty, supporting the euro’s resilience.
  
• Volatility compression points to a potential breakout once inflation data is released.
  

Market stall as US inflation and labour data delays persist

The delayed release of U.S. inflation and labour data has left the market directionless. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is still addressing disruptions caused by the recent government shutdown, raising the possibility that some October figures may never be released.

This lack of visibility has paralysed both traders and policymakers. Without CPI or Non-Farm Payrolls data, the Fed’s decision-making is reduced to conjecture. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets now price a 52.4% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut in December, but conviction is fading fast.

Risk appetite, meanwhile, is improving, while European indices are stable - a combination that typically weakens the dollar. As risk-on sentiment spreads, the euro gains passive support from improved capital flows and reduced demand for safe-haven assets.

Euro gains as ECB-Fed policy gap and growth divergence narrow

Beyond the current data blackout, broader fundamentals are tilting in favor of euro support. The IMF forecasts U.S. GDP growth to slow from 2.8% to 2.0% in 2025, while the Eurozone’s growth rate is expected to rise from 0.9% to 1.2%. That narrowing growth gap erodes one of the dollar’s traditional strengths.

Monetary policy is also converging. The European Central Bank (ECB) has likely concluded its easing phase, while the Federal Reserve appears closer to cutting rates as U.S. momentum cools. The narrowing yield differential is historically positive for EUR/USD.

At the same time, Eurozone stability is becoming an asset. Energy risks have receded, political volatility has eased, and consumer confidence is showing faint signs of recovery. With fewer structural risks and steady monetary policy, the euro no longer needs to rally on optimism - it simply needs to stay consistent as the dollar struggles for direction.

CPI data impact: The market’s biggest blind spot

Inflation remains the pivot point. If U.S. CPI surprises to the upside, markets could reprice expectations for a Fed pause, pushing EUR/USD lower. A weaker print, however, would validate the dovish outlook and strengthen the euro’s hand.

For now, the absence of inflation data has become its own catalyst. Without new numbers, traders are increasingly relying on sentiment and technical signals rather than fundamentals. This has compressed volatility and reduced conviction, but the longer it lasts, the stronger the eventual breakout could be.

EUR/USD investment implications: Momentum meets resistance

At the time of writing, EUR/USD is trading near 1.1642, with momentum leaning bullish but facing a critical resistance zone.

The Bollinger Bands indicate that price action is pressing against the upper band, suggesting heightened volatility and strong buying pressure. However, as the pair approaches 1.1657, traders may anticipate profit-taking or short-term consolidation before any further move higher. 

A decisive breakout above 1.1740 could reinforce bullish sentiment and attract additional buying interest. On the downside, immediate support lies at 1.1566, with a deeper floor around 1.1485. A break below these levels would likely trigger sell liquidations and renewed downside pressure.

Meanwhile, the RSI is approaching 70, signalling that the pair is nearing overbought territory. This suggests a possible short-term correction before the trend resumes its upward trajectory.

EUR/USD investment implications

For traders, this is a market defined by patience rather than aggression. Range-trading around 1.156–1.166 remains viable, but tight stops are essential given the risk of a data-driven breakout.

Medium-term investors should note that the euro’s underlying stability, narrowing growth gaps, and reduced Eurozone risk could sustain gradual upside momentum towards 1.18–1.20 if the dollar continues to weaken through early 2026.

As volatility compresses, risk management becomes crucial. Using the Deriv trading calculator, traders can estimate pip values, margin requirements, and potential profit or loss before executing a position. This precision helps manage exposure around critical levels, such as 1.156 support or 1.174 resistance - an important edge in low-volatility markets.

With EUR/USD hovering near key technical levels, traders can track live price movements on Deriv MT5 and plan data-driven entries using the Deriv Trading Calculator. When the CPI report is released, both tools will be vital for identifying breakout momentum and managing exposure in real-time.