The Asia Trade 11/17/25

Bitcoin's market value has decreased by approximately $600 billion following a peak of over $126,000 in October. The rapid decline occurred without any clear trigger, as reported by Bloomberg. This significant drop highlights the volatility of the cryptocurrency market and raises concerns among investors regarding future price stability.

Kriti Gupta, Valerie Tytel, and Mark Cudmore discussed the current market dynamics on Bloomberg's 'The Opening Trade.' They highlighted that gold is considered a more effective hedge against fiat currency fluctuations compared to Bitcoin. This analysis reflects ongoing debates among investors regarding the relative stability and reliability of traditional assets like gold versus cryptocurrencies.

Horizons Middle East & Africa is a daily news program that focuses on the rapidly growing regions of the Middle East and Africa. Broadcasting live from Dubai, it provides updates on global markets, insightful analysis, and interviews that shape the news landscape. The program caters to audiences across various time zones, making it a vital source of information for professionals in the Gulf, Hong Kong, London, and Johannesburg.

Chandra Asri, led by billionaire Prajogo Pangestu, has secured $750 million in funding from KKR for its Esso Singapore deal. This investment follows the company's recent acquisition of Shell's refinery and petrochemical assets, indicating a strong commitment to expanding its operations in Singapore.

KKR & Co. is providing $750 million in financing to Chandra Asri Group for its acquisition of Exxon Mobil Corp.'s Esso-branded retail fuel stations located in Singapore. This significant investment is part of Chandra Asri's strategy to expand its presence in the retail fuel market. The deal underscores KKR's commitment to supporting growth in the energy sector.

Apollo is transforming the management of insurance and pension funds on Wall Street, leading to the offshoring of hundreds of billions of dollars to Bermuda. This shift results in the loss of U.S. protections for these funds, as they are now subject to less regulatory oversight. The implications of this move raise concerns about the transparency and complexity of the financial strategies being employed.