Trump’s Crypto Order Sparks Market Surge

CRYPTO
Trump’s Crypto Order Sparks Market Surge

Donald Trump claimed his executive order on crypto directed the Presidential Working Group to establish a Crypto Strategic Reserve including XRP, SOL, and ADA. However, the January order didn’t name specific tokens, only mentioning a potential national digital asset stockpile for evaluation.

Following Trump’s post, Bitcoin surged 6%, reclaiming $90,000, while Ether jumped 10% to $2,400. Ripple soared 30% to $2.80, Solana gained 20% to $170, and Cardano initially rallied 60% before stabilizing at $1.02. Spencer Hallarn of GSR attributed the rally to traders reestablishing long positions.

Trump previously shared a CoinDesk article about Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who had pledged $5 million in XRP for Trump’s inauguration. Garlinghouse and Ripple’s chief legal officer, Stu Alderoty, were later seen dining with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

The White House hasn’t commented on the matter, but Bitcoin supporters remain disappointed that the executive order didn’t prioritize a "Bitcoin Fort Knox."

TECH
Xpeng Leads China’s EV Market Growth

Xpeng delivered 30,453 cars in February, marking its fourth consecutive month above 30,000 units, with over 15,000 Mona M03 vehicles sold. The Mona, a budget-friendly EV with driver-assist features, has consistently surpassed 15,000 units per month since December. Additionally, demand for the P7+ electric sedan has pushed deliveries past 30,000 in under three months.

Analysts at Nomura believe Xpeng’s upcoming models will help sustain its strong sales momentum. However, the Lunar New Year slowdown and fierce price competition continue to impact the Chinese EV market.

Xiaomi delivered over 20,000 EVs for the fifth straight month and cut the price of its SU7 Ultra sedan by nearly 35%. Meanwhile, Li Auto’s deliveries dropped to 26,263 units, and Nio fell to 13,192. Aito, backed by Huawei, recorded its lowest sales in a year at 21,517 units.

BYD, China’s EV leader, sold 318,233 new energy vehicles, continuing its dominance amid rising AI and driver-assist technology integration.

FINANCE
Sovereign Wealth Funds Gain Global Momentum

Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are gaining momentum as governments seek strategic investments to boost economic growth. Indonesia recently launched its second state investment fund, Danantara, following the Indonesia Investment Authority, established in 2020. These funds align with a global trend of nations leveraging public resources for long-term returns.

SWFs have long been used by countries like Norway, Saudi Arabia, and China, investing surpluses from natural resources or foreign reserves. Now, even the U.S. is considering a sovereign wealth fund, with Trump ordering a proposal due by May.

Some SWFs act as passive investors, like Norway’s Pension Fund, while others, like Singapore’s Temasek, take active stakes in startups and strategic industries. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing heavily in AI, gaming, and tourism to diversify beyond oil.

Critics argue SWFs require transparency and surplus funds—something the U.S., running a deficit, lacks. However, governments worldwide see them as vital tools for industrial policy and global influence.

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.