Markets pushed into fresh highs, optimism bloomed around policy and trade, while crypto traders stayed guarded as big central bank decisions loom.

S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs, with the Dow inching upward too. Major gains came from tech names. Tesla jumped sharply after Elon Musk disclosed a $1B stock buy, and Alphabet crossed $3 trillion in market cap on favorable antitrust rulings. Broad strength in AI‐related hardware (e.g. Seagate) helped carry momentum.

Progress in trade negotiations between the U.S. and China over TikTok ownership provided a lift. Treasury officials said there’s a framework for U.S.-controlled structure, easing some tensions. China’s antitrust scrutiny of Nvidia kept risk alive, though tech bulls mostly shrugged it off given broader optimism.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana all saw declines. Uncertainty is high ahead of Wednesday’s expected Fed announcement. Traders are watching whether the cut will be 25 basis points or more. For now, crypto seems caught in limbo, profit-taking and caution dominate.

Asian stocks were mostly steady or up, riding the same Fed-cut hopes that carried U.S. markets. Oil held firm after disruptions to Russian refineries raised supply concerns, feeding into inflation expectations and market watching for central bank responses.

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Today was about the intersection of policy, trade, and tech. Stocks hit records not just on earnings but on geopolitical signals and regulatory wins. Crypto’s slide reminds us the risk is still out there when rates, decisions, and macro trends are uncertain. With the Fed meeting coming up, expect markets to lean hard on clarity.