Bitcoin jumps 3.2% on US-China trade talk hopes
Ether gains 4.2%, tracking broader market optimism
Trump’s crypto-friendly stance supports long-term bullishness
Bitcoin surged early Wednesday in Asia as renewed optimism over US-China trade negotiations lifted investor sentiment. The cryptocurrency climbed as much as 3.2% to reach $97,500 in Singapore trading before pulling back slightly. Ether, the second-largest digital asset, also saw a gain of 4.2% amid the broader market rally.
The move comes from a high-level diplomatic meeting between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer with Chinese officials in Switzerland. Investors are hopeful that the two global economic powers can strike a trade agreement to reduce uncertainty and encourage risk-taking across global markets, including crypto.
Asian equity markets and the US dollar also rose in response to the trade developments, indicating broader investor confidence. According to FalconX Ltd., a leading digital-asset prime brokerage, institutional traders have returned with interest in Bitcoin’s upside potential. “The market appears optimistic that the trade talks over the weekend will be positive,” said Sean McNulty, FalconX’s APAC derivatives trading lead.
Pro-Crypto Policy Adds Momentum
Bitcoin’s rise is also an indicator of increasing optimism about the pro-crypto nature of the US administration. Digital assets, earlier condemned by then-US President Donald Trump, are now vociferously defended by him. The President has recommended legislation that aids blockchain innovation as well as integration of digital assets, and Bitcoin rose to its all-time high of $109,241 during January 2025.
But Trump’s protectionist trade policies, such as blanket tariffs, have brought volatility to the market. Prices of cryptos went down in the period after those policies, though recent indications that the tensions were easing have helped to restore confidence.
Despite geopolitical tensions in other parts of the world, including continued turmoil in Pakistan, traders are largely looking ahead to the Federal Reserve decision later Wednesday. Although the rates are forecast to stay static, any implication of future policy action could move crypto prices.