Bitcoin, Nasdaq futures and major Asian stock markets moved higher on Monday as China reported stronger-than-expected economic growth and oil prices retreated, improving sentiment toward riskier investments.
Markets opened the week on a positive note, with encouraging Chinese economic figures and lower energy costs supporting a broad recovery across financial assets.
Bitcoin traded at approximately $83,000 during early European hours, rising 1% since midnight UTC and 1.60% over the previous 24 hours. Nasdaq futures gained more than 1%, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 1.8% and South Korea’s Kospi climbed 0.6%. The gains followed a difficult week for these markets, particularly technology stocks linked to artificial intelligence.
Chinese shares also advanced 0.3%. Gold prices remained nearly unchanged at around $4,180, while the U.S. Dollar Index stayed below 102, close to its Friday levels.
Data published Monday by China’s National Bureau of Statistics showed that the country’s GDP increased 4.5% year over year in the third quarter, up from 4.3% growth in the previous quarter. Consumer spending indicators also came in stronger than expected. Retail sales rose 1.1%, exceeding the 0.5% forecast and improving on the previous month’s 0.4% increase.
China’s position as the world’s second-largest economy, a leading manufacturing center and a major importer of industrial commodities means its economic performance can influence global investment sentiment. Stronger growth often encourages investors to increase exposure to risk-sensitive assets, including cryptocurrencies and equities.
The latest rebound also reflects a familiar pattern in market volatility. The VIX has historically tended to ease after sharp Friday increases, a trend that has often accompanied a stabilization in stock markets.
Meanwhile, oil prices fell across both U.S. and European markets, reversing part of last week’s advance. Reuters attributed the decline to expectations that a waiver issued by President Donald Trump concerning Russia would help increase supply. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, however, remain a potential source of market uncertainty.
Cheaper oil could ease inflation concerns and potentially give the Federal Reserve greater flexibility to lower interest rates. At the time of writing, the central bank was expected to keep its benchmark rate in the 4.75%–5% range this month, following a 25-basis-point hike last month.
