Global stocks slide alongside bitcoin

The sell-off hit major indexes across Europe, Asia, and the U.S., intensifying pressure on risk assets and highlighting renewed skepticism over the outlook for looser monetary policy in the United States.

Markets weakened as expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts deteriorated. Investors have reassessed the likelihood of a December rate reduction, which has dropped sharply, weighing on growth stocks and digital assets alike. As a result, equity benchmarks opened lower, and volatility climbed across most exchanges.

Bitcoin declined further after another wave of selling, remaining under pressure as investors continued to retreat from high-risk assets. The ongoing outflow of capital from the digital asset sector and the lack of strong buying interest have amplified concerns about weakening demand.

Commodities also reflected nervous trading. Oil prices fluctuated after several sessions of losses, while gold held steady as demand for safe-haven assets increased. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury yields stayed elevated, further discouraging appetite for riskier investments.

The same trend was visible across Europe and Asia, where investors are locking in profits after recent market gains, while uncertainty about the future path of interest rates heightens short-term risks. Tech stocks faced particular pressure amid declining risk appetite and a reassessment of earnings expectations.

On the currency front, the U.S. dollar strengthened against major peers, weighing on emerging-market assets and commodities. The dollar’s rise reflects higher real yields in the U.S., further shifting the balance away from risk assets toward defensive positions.

Overall sentiment remains cautious. Key macroeconomic data and upcoming signals from the Federal Reserve will shape investor sentiment in the coming weeks. For now, markets are showing clear signs of strain: shifting rate expectations, heightened volatility, and a lack of demand for risk have led to a synchronized decline in both equities and cryptocurrencies.