Good Morning, Asia. Here’s what’s making news in the markets:
Welcome to Asia Morning Briefing, a daily summary of top stories during U.S. hours and an overview of market moves and analysis. For a detailed overview of U.S. markets, see CoinDesk’s Crypto Daybook Americas.
Crypto traders remain cautious ahead of Thursday’s U.S. CPI report, with BTC trading flat above $111,600, and ETH at $4,298. The CD20, a measure of the performance of the largest digital assets, is trading above 4,000, up 1.6%.
The August Nonfarm Payrolls miss, just 22,000 jobs added versus expectations of 75,000, pushed futures higher and dragged 2-year Treasury yields to year-lows as markets priced in 72 bps of cuts this year. Yet crypto remains rangebound, diverging from broader risk sentiment.
Options markets confirm the defensive stance. QCP Capital noted in its recent Asia Market Update that risk reversals are increasingly skewed toward puts, with short-dated implied vols elevated into CPI.
Polymarket data backs this positioning: ETH carries a 70% chance of staying above $4,600 this month but only 13% odds of breaking $5,600. Traders are bracing for turbulence, not chasing upside. SOL is the outlier, with odds of a new all-time high before 2026 rising sharply, signaling improving breadth beneath the surface.
In a note to CoinDesk, market maker Enflux argues that the SEC’s forward-looking rules for token sales and listings, combined with the steady march of institutions like Coinbase into major indices, show how deeply crypto is embedding into the system. This is the “split-screen reality” of 2025: speculation dominates headlines, while adoption rails are being laid in the background.
The legitimacy narrative also played out in real time on Friday. Michael Saylor’s Strategy was left out of the S&P 500 despite meeting all criteria, while Robinhood was unexpectedly included instead, sending its stock up 7% and underscoring that crypto-adjacent firms with diversified business lines may reach blue-chip status faster than pure treasury plays.
WLFI’s turmoil illustrates the speculative side of the split-screen. The protocol froze over 270 wallets, including Justin Sun’s, to “protect users” after phishing-related compromises.
“On one side, speculative narratives like WLFI risk cannibalizing themselves through governance drama,” Enflux wrote in its note. “On the other hand, institutional-grade infrastructure and regulation are solidifying at a pace that suggests the rails for mainstream adoption are being laid faster than most expect.”
Onchain data shows Sun’s transfers came hours after WLFI’s crash, which was instead driven by shorting and dumping across exchanges. Yet the freeze rattled whales and market makers – shocked that the free market of crypto could be broken by protocol governance fiat – with insiders asking: “If they can do it to Sun, who’s next?”.
The takeaway: near-term volatility and governance drama may cap upside, but the deeper story is that crypto’s institutional and regulatory foundations are hardening.
“Structural legitimacy, not speculation, remains the real story of 2025,” Enflux continued.
For traders, that means bracing for CPI noise; for investors, it means the legitimacy story continues to build.
Market Movement:
BTC: Bitcoin is holding steady above $111K, with support from consolidation near key resistance levels and solid on‑chain support zones. Analysts suggest this stability could pave the way for a breakout, though some caution about a possible pullback toward $100K exists
ETH: Ethereum’s price has eased slightly intraday, trading around $4.3K. This movement may reflect broader crypto market dynamics, including relatively subdued demand and positioning around current technical levels.
Gold: Gold has surged to fresh record highs, recently hitting ~$3,636/oz, as expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts rise amid weak labor data, a soft U.S. dollar, geopolitical concerns, and continued central bank demand.
Nikkei 225: Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.9% to a record high and the Topix gained 0.52% as investors bet a new LDP leader could deliver fresh fiscal stimulus following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation.
S&P 500: U.S. stocks edged higher Monday, with the S&P 500 up 0.2%, as investors awaited inflation data to gauge the likelihood of a jumbo Fed rate cut next week.
Elsewhere in Crypto
– Upbit Parent Files ‘GIWA’ Trademarks Amid Rumors of New Blockchain Launch (CoinDesk)
– How Trump Came Around to Crypto and What Crypto Wants in Return (Bloomberg)
– Kalshi’s $875 million in August trading volume, recent funding signal rising competition with Polymarket (The Block) the perspective of a travel blogger exploring the hidden gems of a small town in Italy.
As a travel blogger always on the lookout for hidden gems, I recently found myself in the charming small town of Orvieto, Italy. Nestled on a hilltop in the Umbria region, Orvieto is a picturesque town with a rich history dating back to the Etruscan era. While it may not be as well-known as some of Italy’s more popular tourist destinations, Orvieto has plenty to offer visitors looking to experience the beauty and culture of this stunning country.
One of the first things that struck me about Orvieto was its stunning architecture. The town is home to several beautiful churches, including the famous Duomo di Orvieto. This Gothic cathedral is a masterpiece of Italian architecture, with its intricate facade adorned with colorful mosaics and sculptures. Inside, visitors can marvel at the intricate frescoes and sculptures that adorn the walls and ceilings, making it a must-see for art and history enthusiasts.
After exploring the Duomo, I wandered through the narrow, winding streets of Orvieto, taking in the sights and sounds of this charming town. One of the things that stood out to me was the abundance of artisan shops selling locally-made ceramics, textiles, and other crafts. I couldn’t resist picking up a few souvenirs to bring home with me, helping to support the local artisans and craftsmen who make Orvieto so special.
One of the highlights of my visit to Orvieto was a trip to the underground caves that lie beneath the town. These ancient tunnels were originally used as storage spaces for food and wine, but today they have been transformed into a fascinating underground world that visitors can explore. As I wandered through the dimly-lit passageways, I couldn’t help but marvel at the ingenuity of the Etruscans who created these caves thousands of years ago.
In addition to its historical and cultural attractions, Orvieto also offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. The surrounding countryside is dotted with vineyards and olive groves, making it the perfect destination for wine tasting and hiking. I spent an afternoon exploring the rolling hills and lush vineyards, soaking in the stunning views of the Umbrian countryside.
As my time in Orvieto came to an end, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to explore this hidden gem of a town. From its stunning architecture and fascinating history to its vibrant artisan community and beautiful countryside, Orvieto has so much to offer visitors looking to experience the best of Italy off the beaten path. I left Orvieto with a newfound appreciation for small towns and the treasures they hold, and I can’t wait to return one day to explore more of this enchanting corner of Italy.