Asian shares wavered on Monday, with investors grappling with mixed signals from global markets, while Bitcoin saw a sharp rally, fueled by speculation around a so-called ‘Trump trade.’ The cryptocurrency’s surge comes amid renewed interest from retail investors and reports linking Bitcoin’s rise to potential political developments in the U.S.

Asian equity markets showed little momentum, with concerns over slowing global growth and ongoing geopolitical tensions tempering optimism. In Japan, the Nikkei slipped marginally, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index remained volatile. Market participants are awaiting more clarity on key economic data and central bank policies in the region, especially in China and Japan.

In contrast, Bitcoin gained as much as 5%, driven by a wave of speculative buying tied to a growing belief among some market participants that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s legal battles and potential re-election campaign could spur interest in decentralized assets like cryptocurrencies. Some analysts have dubbed this phenomenon the ‘Trump trade,’ as investors look for alternative stores of value amid rising political uncertainty.

Despite Bitcoin’s rally, Asian stock markets remain vulnerable to external risks, with the focus shifting to global inflation data and upcoming corporate earnings reports. Investors are also paying close attention to any developments in the U.S.-China trade talks, as any significant progress could help lift sentiment in the region.

For now, Bitcoin’s rise contrasts with the subdued performance of Asian equities, highlighting the differing forces at play across asset classes as investors seek direction in an uncertain market environment.