Bitcoin retreats as global stocks wobble, with ripple effects felt across Africa | Dawan Africa
Kenya, December 16 2025 – Global financial markets entered a cautious phase this week as investors pulled back from riskier assets, triggering declines in equities and cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, amid uncertainty over interest rates and the global economic outlook.
Investors across Asia, Europe and the United States stepped back ahead of key U.S. economic data, particularly jobs and inflation figures that are expected to influence the direction of central bank policy.
The resulting risk-off mood weighed heavily on technology shares and other growth-linked assets, while safe-haven currencies such as the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen strengthened.
Bitcoin mirrored this broader retreat in risk appetite. Bitcoin currently stands around $85,000–$86,000, trading below recent support levels as risk- off sentiment grips global markets. Reports from market trackers show BTC slipping below key thresholds, with prices near $85,800–$86,000 as of today as broader crypto and equity markets soften ahead of major economic data.
The downturn in crypto has been accompanied by declines in major altcoins like Ethereum and XRP, reflecting a broader industry pullback tied to macro uncertainty. This represents a notable retracement from earlier levels in the month, when Bitcoin was trading well above $90,000. Price charts indicate the decline from around the low $90,000s to the mid-$80,000s over recent days, as traders reacted to weak risk sentiment and potential tightening or delayed easing of global monetary policy.
Today’s movement isn’t unique to Bitcoin, other major digital assets have also retraced. Ethereum and XRP, among others, have extended losses as investors rotate toward safer assets, trimming exposure to volatile crypto. Despite the short-term weakness, some institutional voices remain cautiously optimistic about Bitcoin’s longer-term trajectory, with forecasts suggesting renewed upside potential in 2026. These views coexist with continued high volatility and sensitivity to macroeconomic conditions.
In Kenya and Africa, BTC’s valuation in local terms, for example on regional exchanges, reflects similar trends, with price in Nigerian naira traders showing fluctuations in line with global movements. Local price levels and volatility can be amplified by currency effects and liquidity differences in African crypto markets.
Markets are increasingly sensitive to signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve, with any indication that interest rates may remain higher for longer dampening enthusiasm for speculative investments such as cryptocurrencies.
When borrowing costs stay elevated, investors tend to favor cash, bonds and defensive assets over equities and digital currencies. Global stock markets followed a similar trajectory. Asian shares edged lower, European stocks struggled for direction, and Wall Street futures softened as traders waited for clearer economic signals.
