🔥 Key Takeaways
Asian Markets Kick Off 2026 with a Bang
Asian equity markets roared into 2026 on Thursday, with semiconductor and AI stocks leading the charge. The first trading day of the year saw a significant surge in stocks related to artificial intelligence and chip manufacturing, indicating a strong investor appetite for these sectors. Shanghai Biren Technology, the first Chinese GPU startup to list in Hong Kong, was a standout performer, with its shares more than doubling on its trading debut. The stock opened at HK$35.70, well above the initial public offering (IPO) price, reflecting the high expectations surrounding the company’s growth prospects.
Bitcoin Fails to Impress
Meanwhile, bitcoin struggled to gain momentum amid the broader risk-on sentiment in the market. Despite the overall optimism in equity markets, the cryptocurrency failed to make significant gains, highlighting the disconnect between traditional markets and the crypto space. The lackluster performance of bitcoin may be attributed to various factors, including regulatory uncertainty and the ongoing competition from other digital assets.
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