Asia Morning Briefing: Asia Wakes Up to an AI BTC-Nvidia Tailwind That’s Already Starting to Sputter

Bitcoin's price has fallen below the 50-week Moving Average for the first time in the current cycle, raising concerns among analysts about a potential crash to $38,000. This significant drop marks a pivotal moment in Bitcoin's price action, as historical trends suggest that such a breakdown often precedes prolonged bear markets.

Bitcoin has recently experienced a price recovery, rising from a low of $80,000 to approximately $87,000, which has led to discussions among traders about whether this rebound signifies a genuine market recovery or merely a temporary 'dead cat bounce.' Analyst Peter Anthony argues that the prevailing bearish sentiment may be misleading, suggesting that this recovery could set the stage for a more substantial rally.

The UAE has enacted a new financial law that integrates cryptocurrency and blockchain technology into traditional finance, placing them under the supervision of the Central Bank. This decree aims to solidify the UAE's position as a global leader in the cryptocurrency sector.

Aptos (APT) has been trading relatively unchanged, underperforming compared to the broader cryptocurrency market rally, with current support at $2.16 and resistance at $2.31. This stagnation occurs as Bitcoin leads a rebound in the market, recovering from earlier losses and rising above $86,000.

Coinbase Ventures has announced its top technology frontiers for 2026, focusing on areas such as real-world asset perpetuals, specialized exchanges, DeFi composability, and AI-driven development tools. This strategic initiative aims to position Coinbase at the forefront of cryptocurrency innovation.

Nasdaq ISE has filed to elevate the option limits for BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) to top-tier status, reflecting a surge in IBIT options activity and a shift of open interest towards U.S. regulated venues. This move comes amid a backdrop of fluctuating investor sentiment in the cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin has recently reversed its downward trend, surpassing the $90,000 mark just ahead of Thanksgiving, a notable shift from the typical pre-holiday price declines observed in previous years. This rebound follows a period of volatility, where Bitcoin's price had dipped significantly earlier in the week.

U.S. Bank has selected the XLM network to conduct a pilot program for programmable digital currency, resulting in a 2.6% increase in XLM's value to $0.25. This initiative marks a significant step in the bank's exploration of digital assets and stablecoin issuance on the Stellar network.