Live updates: Bitcoin and tech stocks edge higher as U.S. voters head to the polls

Bitcoin and US technology shares rose modestly on 3 November as Americans voted in the midterm elections, offering some relief after a sharp sell-off. Bitcoin was around $77,500 early in US trading, up about 0.9% on the day, while the Nasdaq gained roughly 0.7% later in the morning. The recovery was uneven: shares in several bitcoin miners and AI data centre companies climbed sharply, but Apple fell after warning that higher memory chip costs could squeeze its profit margin. Palantir also declined following its results.

The gains did not erase the pressure on either market. Bitcoin had fallen from about $87,000 to roughly $76,500 over the preceding five weeks and was on course for a fifth consecutive weekly loss, though the week was far from over. The Nasdaq 100 had closed more than 10% below its recent peak on Monday. Investors were also weighing uncertainty over the election outcome, oil prices and tensions involving Iran. The election results could affect expectations for US fiscal and regulatory policy, but Tuesday’s market moves offered no clear indication of how investors would respond once the votes were counted.