Bitcoin maintains levels above $100,000 while gold trades near $4,100 per ounce as investors assess year-end momentum potential for both assets. Both reached significant peaks in 2025, with Bitcoin hitting $125,000 in October and gold touching a record $4,380 before retracing. The assets now compete for investor attention amid seasonal trading patterns and evolving macroeconomic conditions.

US M2 money supply reached $22.2 trillion in September 2025, marking a 4.5% year-over-year increase and the 19th consecutive month of expansion. Bitcoin's price movements continue to correlate with rising liquidity conditions as central banks inject capital into financial systems. After adjusting for inflation, M2 expanded by 1.4% during the month, according to Federal Reserve data.

Coinbase launched the x402 protocol in May 2025, allowing AI agents to manage cryptocurrency wallets and execute stablecoin transactions independently. The protocol experienced a 10,000% surge in transactions within one month. AI systems can now handle payments for subscriptions, cloud services, and content rewards without human intervention.

Bitcoin rose 3.6% Monday, surpassing $115,000 as US-China trade tensions showed signs of easing. The broader crypto market capitalization climbed 3.7% to $3.9 trillion, while Ether gained 7% to $4,200. Altcoins including VIRTUAL, HYPE, and ZCASH posted substantial advances as investors positioned ahead of central bank policy decisions.