China Manufacturing PMI Hits 12-Month High Amid Energy Price Concerns 
Australia Bans Card Payment Surcharges Starting October 2025 
Dollar Surges to Monthly High as Middle East Conflict Rattles Global Markets 
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Conflict Keeps Supply Risks Elevated 
Gold Prices Rebound But Head for Worst Month Since 2008 Amid Iran War Uncertainty 
Japan's Business Confidence Rises Despite Iran War Uncertainty, BOJ Rate Hike Expected 
U.S. Stocks Surge on Iran War De-escalation Hopes 
Oil Prices Surge to Record Monthly Highs as Middle East War Rattles Global Markets 
Canada's Economy Grows Modestly in January 2025, Driven by Energy and Construction 
U.S. Dollar Posts Strong Monthly Gain Amid Middle East Conflict Despite Late Dip 
WTO Ministerial Collapse Leaves Global Digital Trade Rules in Limbo 
South Korea's $17.3 Billion Emergency Budget Targets Oil Price Surge 
Oil Prices Hold Near Multi-Year Highs Amid Iran Conflict and Hormuz Supply Fears 
South Korea Manufacturing PMI Hits 4-Year High in March 2025 Driven by Semiconductor Demand 
U.S. Stock Futures Surge After WSJ Report on Trump's Iran War Exit Strategy 
Japan Business Sentiment Rises as Iran War Fuels Inflation Fears, BOJ Rate Hike Looms 
Asian Stocks Surge on Trump's Iran War Comments and Dip-Buying 
Bitcoin Hits New Heights Amid Trump Election Speculation
On Monday, Bitcoin's price surged, briefly reaching a three-month high of $69,007.1, as speculation grows around Donald Trump's potential victory in the upcoming 2024 elections. The world’s largest cryptocurrency is now within $5,000 of its all-time high, and surpassing the $70,000 mark could signal a bullish trend.
Trump’s Pro-Crypto Stance Fuels Market Optimism
Recent polls and prediction markets indicate an increasing likelihood of a Trump win over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. The crypto prediction platform Polymarket shows a 60.7% probability of Trump's victory compared to 39.1% for Harris. Trump's campaign is noted for its pro-cryptocurrency stance, promising to foster Bitcoin's growth in America and even accepting crypto donations.
The potential for a Trump presidency has traders optimistic about more favorable crypto regulations in the U.S., a significant issue in light of recent scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). While Harris has expressed intentions for a regulatory framework for crypto, specifics remain unclear.
Broader Crypto Market Gains
As Bitcoin rallies, other cryptocurrencies are also benefitting. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, rose 3.8% to $2,740.14, nearing a two-month high. Notably, SOL and ADA saw increases exceeding 6%, while XRP and MATIC gained nearly 4%. Among meme tokens, DOGE rose by 4.6%.
Recent data indicates that institutional investors are returning to the cryptocurrency market, further buoying prices as the election approaches. With just over two weeks until the vote, the market is bracing for a tightly contested presidential election.
