Asian stocks retreated on Tuesday, with investor attention drawn to bitcoin as it surged to a record high of $89,637, driven by optimism over Donald Trump’s re-election and policies expected to benefit certain asset classes. Expectations of tax cuts, deregulation, and crypto-friendly leadership boosted bitcoin, which is now targeting $100,000. Meanwhile, equities in Taiwan and South Korea fell, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.5% on the yen’s weakness.
 
The dollar held firm near four-month highs, with the dollar index at 105.57, as markets anticipated higher U.S. interest rates under Trump's administration. In contrast, the euro slid to seven-month lows, pressured by concerns over potential tariffs under Trump’s trade policies. MSCI's Asia-Pacific index was down 1%, while Chinese shares edged higher but failed to sustain broader optimism due to underwhelming economic stimulus from Beijing.
 
Wall Street hit record highs overnight, buoyed by gains in Tesla, which rose 9% on expectations of growth under Trump and CEO Elon Musk’s support for his policies. Analysts believe that "Trump trades," such as pro-crypto and growth-oriented investments, remain strong.
 
Oil prices were steady after recent volatility, with Brent crude at $71.88 and WTI at $68.10. Gold traded at $2,624 per ounce, stabilizing after hitting a one-month low on Monday. Upcoming U.S. consumer inflation data and Federal Reserve commentary are expected to shape market sentiment, with an 87% probability of a December rate cut priced in.