Asian Stocks Slide on Bond Stress: Will Safe Havens BTC and Gold Keep Rallying?

Most Asian share indices are headed for weekly losses as bond market stress persists. However, Bitcoin (BTC) and gold both rallied as investors reached for safe havens instead.

The moves reflect a broader flight from risk. Rising Treasury yields have hit stocks in Asia and the US this week. Traders are turning to assets seen as stores of value.

Asian Markets Buckle on Bond Stress

Japan's Nikkei dropped 0.8% to open Friday's trading. That extended its weekly loss to 4.4% before clawing a little back.

South Korea and Taiwan edged higher Friday. Both still finished the week lower, after a sharp Kospi sidecar halt earlier in the week. The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan managed only a 0.5% gain.

The sell-off traces back to US Treasury yields. They resumed climbing this week after a brief pause. The 30-year yield rose to 5.25%, and the 10-year hit 4.71%.

Secretary Scott Bessent said the government could expand bond repurchases. He also floated fiscal consolidation. Analysts doubt Washington can find enough spending cuts to narrow the deficit.

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