Markets reacted to the nomination of Scott Bessent as the next US Treasury Secretary on Monday, with the dollar pulling back from two-year highs and US Treasury yields falling. US stocks rose, led by small caps which hit an intraday high, while European markets were mixed. A survey showed a drop in German business confidence and ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane called for gradual interest rate cuts. Other notable developments include UniCredit's attempted takeover of Banco BPM; a potential deal to end the Israel-Hezbollah conflict; and President-elect Trump's plan to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Manuel Villegas, Next Generation Research, says Bitcoin has established itself as a global macro asset this year.

00:00 Introduction by Bernadette Anderko (Investment Writing)

00:24 Markets wrap-up by Mike Rauber (Investment Writing)

06:11 Digital assets: Manuel Villegas (Next Generation Research)

09:38 Closing remarks by Bernadette Anderko (Investment Writing)

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