As the fourth quarter of 2024 came to a close, one trend was clear – cryptocurrency was the star of the show. Bitcoin soared past $100,000, capturing headlines and driving high trading activity among easyMarkets clients.

Crypto trading volumes among easyMarkets clients also increased by 3 times more than Q3. This remarkable growth was mainly due to:

• Institutional confidence: Major players like MicroStrategy announced plans to raise billions ($42B to be exact) for crypto purchases, sending a strong signal that digital assets had reached a new level of mainstream acceptance.
• A favourable policy environment: The re-election of a pro-crypto U.S. president injected fresh optimism, as traders anticipated more supportive regulatory conditions.
• Increased market activity: Bitcoin’s price momentum, coupled with growing adoption, encouraged more participation and drove trading volumes to new highs.

While crypto stole the spotlight, gold and Nasdaq100 provided reliable trading avenues for clients seeking stability and consistent performance. Gold remained a trusted safe-haven asset amidst global economic uncertainties and natural disasters, and the Nasdaq100 saw impressive trading volumes, fuelled by the continued strength of the tech sector.

Together, gold and the Nasdaq100 served as key pillars for easyMarkets clients navigating an otherwise fast-moving and volatile quarter.

Key drivers and trading opportunities

A series of economic and political events came together in the final quarter of 2024 to create both challenges and opportunities for traders. So, what were the main market movers and decision shapers? Let’s explore below:

• Re-election of a pro-crypto U.S. President: As we mentioned earlier, the re-election of a pro-crypto leader spurred confidence among digital asset traders. This political shift increased optimism around potential regulatory easing, prompting higher trading volumes in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
• Federal Reserve’s rate-tightening signals: Indications that the Federal Reserve would continue tightening monetary policy supported the USD. Traders took advantage of this clarity by increasing their USD based trading, as the greenback gained momentum against other major currencies.
• Eurozone inflation trends: Persistent inflation in the Eurozone led the European Central Bank to maintain its cautious approach. This stance kept traders engaged in euro pairs, as they watched for any signs of policy shifts that could create price swings and new trading opportunities.
• Recovering Chinese Economy: After a year of slower growth, China’s economy showed signs of stabilization in Q4. Improvements in manufacturing output and consumer demand boosted confidence, encouraging trading activity in Chinese equities and related instruments.
• Energy Price Volatility: Ongoing geopolitical tensions and fluctuating OPEC agreements created frequent shifts in crude oil prices. Traders capitalized on these fluctuations by adjusting positions quickly to benefit from short-term movements in energy markets.

These drivers not only influenced market sentiment but also offered fresh opportunities for traders to navigate and leverage market changes in Q4 2024.

Empowering traders in 2025 and beyond

“This quarter demonstrated the agility of our clients,” said Nikos Antoniades, Chief Executive Officer at easyMarkets. “From crypto’s rapid growth to gold and Nasdaq100’s reliable performance, our traders skilfully navigated these market shifts. At easyMarkets, we remain focused on providing the tools and insights that help them succeed in a constantly changing environment.”

As we move into 2025, easyMarkets continues to deliver innovative solutions, transparent pricing, and solid support, ensuring clients are prepared to succeed in an evolving financial environment.

Take advantage of the volatility, and trade with easyMarkets today.