Bitcoin held firm above the $81,000 level after briefly climbing to $82,026 overnight, even as broader macro conditions turned less favorable for risk assets.
During Asian trading hours on Tuesday, BTC hovered just above $81,000, showing resilience despite growing pressure across global markets. Among major altcoins, Solana and Dogecoin led gains, each rising as much as 2% on the day. BNB advanced 1.7% to $662, while XRP added nearly 1% to trade around $1.46. Ether, however, lagged slightly, slipping about 0.8%.
The relatively steady performance in crypto came as prominent investor Michael Burry issued a stark warning on equity markets. Best known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, Burry cautioned that the Nasdaq 100 is trading at elevated valuations—around 43 times earnings—well above what he considers a fair level near 30 times. He compared the current setup to a crash waiting to happen, urging investors to reduce exposure, particularly to the AI-driven rally.
Burry also pointed to the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which has surged roughly 70% since late March, as a key example of what he described as a parabolic rise in tech valuations. He warned that earnings expectations for high-growth companies may be significantly overstated.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions added to market unease. Brent crude climbed close to 1% to trade above $105 per barrel after renewed doubts emerged over a ceasefire with Iran. Comments from U.S. President Donald Trump raised concerns that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz could persist, further tightening energy markets.
Safe-haven flows strengthened the U.S. dollar against major peers, while the 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.42%, reflecting a shift away from risk assets.
Equity markets across Asia retreated from recent highs. South Korea’s Kospi dropped as much as 5.1% intraday following policy proposals tied to taxing AI profits, which introduced additional uncertainty. The broader MSCI Asia Pacific index swung between gains and losses, while European futures signaled a weaker open. U.S. futures also edged lower after the S&P 500 notched a record close Monday, capping a six-week rally of more than 16%.
Looking ahead, attention is turning to the upcoming U.S. inflation data, which could prove pivotal for both traditional and digital assets. Investors are watching closely to gauge how geopolitical pressures are feeding into consumer prices and what that might mean for Federal Reserve policy.
A stronger-than-expected inflation reading, combined with ongoing geopolitical tensions and Burry’s bearish outlook, could weigh heavily on risk sentiment, particularly the AI-led equity rally. Conversely, a softer print may offer markets—including crypto—some breathing room in the near term.
