Macro Mondays: November 24, 2025 | Andreas Steno Larsen and Mikkel Rosenvold
Macro Mondays: November 24, 2025 | Andreas Steno Larsen and Mikkel Rosenvold
Podcast32 min 8 sec
Listen to Episode
Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

A potential "light technical QE" announcement at the December FOMC meeting is a primary bullish catalyst for Bitcoin over the next three to four months. Investors should monitor headlines for a potential Ukraine peace deal, which could trigger a broad, positive "risk-on" rally across global markets. Consider investments in the nuclear and solar energy sectors as a bet on continued economic growth, which is showing early signs of strength. It is advisable to be cautious with UK government bonds (gilts), as they are expected to continue underperforming due to the UK's poor fiscal situation. The most critical near-term event is the Fed's decision on liquidity, which will be a "make or break" moment for risk assets.

Detailed Analysis

Bitcoin (BTC)

  • The speakers discuss the idea that liquidity is the main driver for Bitcoin's price.
  • A potential Federal Reserve rate cut in December is mentioned, but the speaker notes that a rate cut alone is "not enough on a standalone basis" to boost crypto prices.
  • The most important factor for Bitcoin in the near term is the Fed's balance sheet policy. The speaker expects a "light technical QE" (Quantitative Easing) to address stress in the repo markets.
    • This liquidity injection is considered "pretty good news for Bitcoin at least for the next three, four months."
  • A longer-term structural shift is being considered for 2026. If the Fed becomes less active with its balance sheet and pushes private banks to inject liquidity instead, this could alter the investment landscape.
    • Liquidity from private banks is more likely to be lent to the real economy (e.g., data centers) rather than flowing directly into financial assets like Bitcoin.
    • This year, as the Fed has been hawkish, international equities have outperformed Bitcoin, which may be an early sign of this trend.

Takeaways

  • Short-Term Bullish Catalyst: The primary driver for Bitcoin in the next 3-4 months is the potential for a "technical" liquidity injection from the Fed. Investors should watch the December FOMC meeting for any announcements regarding the Fed's balance sheet.
  • Long-Term Structural Risk: Investors should be aware that the relationship between liquidity and Bitcoin's price could change. If future liquidity comes more from private bank lending than from direct Fed intervention, it may not benefit Bitcoin as much as it has in the past.

Tesla (TSLA) & MicroStrategy (MSTR)

  • These stocks were mentioned in a listener question from a UK-based investor who holds a "Tesla Bitcoin strategy" and is concerned about a potential new UK government budget, including a possible wealth tax.
  • The speaker's opinion is that Tesla, Bitcoin, and MicroStrategy are "not super sensitive" to the UK's domestic budget policy.
  • The speaker is, however, very bearish on the UK's overall fiscal outlook, stating the investor has "chosen the wrong place to live," but that this is not a "biggie for your portfolio" of these specific assets.

Takeaways

  • For holders of TSLA and MSTR, a potential UK wealth tax is not seen as a direct or significant risk to the companies' fundamentals or stock prices.
  • The performance of these assets is driven by global macro factors that are considered more important than UK-specific fiscal policy.

Nuclear & Solar Energy Sectors

  • The speakers have bets on nuclear and solar energy in their model portfolio.
  • These sectors are described as being "positively correlated to the business cycle." Solar energy is noted as being "very positively correlated."
  • The speaker does not believe an economic slowdown is the base case scenario right now.
    • He points to "early solid signals" from regional manufacturing surveys (PMIs) as a reason for optimism on economic growth.
    • He believes there is a "decent chance" for a spike in the national ISM manufacturing index next month.

Takeaways

  • Investments in the nuclear and solar sectors are a bet on continued economic growth.
  • Given the speaker's optimistic view on the economy (and belief that a slowdown will be avoided), the outlook for these cyclical sectors is favorable.
  • Investors who anticipate an economic slowdown or recession should consider reducing their exposure to these sectors.

UK Gilts (Bonds)

  • The speaker expressed a clearly bearish sentiment on the UK's fiscal outlook and its government bonds (gilts).
  • He states that the "gilt market is suffering" and that the yield spread between UK gilts and US Treasuries has widened significantly this year.
  • He expects this underperformance to continue.

Takeaways

  • The investment outlook for UK government bonds is negative.
  • Investors should be cautious about holding UK gilts, as they are expected to continue underperforming US Treasuries due to the UK's poor fiscal situation.

Macro Theme: Federal Reserve Policy & Liquidity

  • The upcoming December FOMC meeting is described as a "make or break" event for markets.
  • The key focus is on liquidity, driven by two potential actions:
    1. Interest Rate Cut: The speaker is in the camp expecting a rate cut, citing influential Fed members.
    2. Balance Sheet / QE: More importantly, the expectation is for a "light technical QE" to provide liquidity to stressed money markets.
  • Looking ahead to next year, a proposed easing of the Supplementary Leverage Ratio (SLR) for major banks is a major theme.
    • This change could unlock $250 to $300 billion in capital capacity for banks.
    • This is described as an "indirect QE," designed to incentivize private banks to lend more money into the "Main Street" economy, as opposed to Fed QE which is seen as benefiting "Wall Street."

Takeaways

  • Monitor the December Fed Meeting: This is the most important near-term catalyst. An announcement of "light technical QE" would be a strong bullish signal for risk assets by injecting liquidity into the system.
  • Watch for SLR Easing: Changes to the SLR in 2026 could provide a major stimulus for the economy by boosting bank lending. This could favor investments tied to the real economy over purely financial assets.

Macro Theme: Ukraine Peace Talks

  • The podcast highlights that the peace process in Ukraine has "new momentum."
  • A potential peace deal is described as a "geopolitical game changer" that would be a "positive outcome for market."
  • There is a sense of urgency, with a mention of a "soft deadline on Thursday" for the ongoing talks.

Takeaways

  • A peace deal in Ukraine is a significant potential positive catalyst for global markets that could happen very soon.
  • Investors should monitor headlines closely, as a breakthrough could trigger a broad, positive "risk-on" rally across asset classes.
Ask about this postAnswers are grounded in this post's content.
Episode Description
🔥 *Check out Bitwise at https://bitwiseinvestments.com and let them know that Real Vision mentioned them*. Andreas Steno Larsen, founder and CEO of Steno Research, is back with his co-host Mikkel Rosenvold, partner and head of geopolitics for Steno Research, to break down the latest news and forces driving global markets after another tough week for markets. 📣 This episode is brought to you by Bitwise Asset Management. Bitwise has been all-in on crypto since 2017 and has more than 20 crypto-based products to help investors get the access they need. Bitwise manages the world’s largest crypto index fund, one of the top Bitcoin ETFs, and one of the largest institutional Ethereum staking solutions. Bitwise has over $10 billion in assets under management and over 100 people in the US and Europe to help manage everything from ETFs to private alpha strategies to SMAs for large investors. 👉 Check out Bitwise at https://bitwiseinvestments.com and let them know that Real Vision mentioned them. Carefully consider the extreme risks associated with crypto before investing. 📣 Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 280 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. 👉 Learn more at https://realvision.com/binance 📣 Today’s sponsor is Plus500 US. Take your trading to the next level with cross-market contracts, from precious metals to key indices, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned trader in the Futures arena or brand new, Plus500’s user-friendly trading platform offers you the advanced tools, market insights, and quick execution you’ve been looking for. 👉   Get started with Plus500 for as little as $100 at https://us.plus500.com. Trading in futures involves the risk of loss. Elevate your brand with Real Vision. Connect with us at partnerships@realvision.com to explore advertising possibilities. Music license ID: WJ6TRPVHFD About Real Vision™: We arm you with the knowledge, tools, and network to succeed on your financial journey. Connect with Real Vision™ Online: Website: https://www.realvision.com/join Twitter: https://rvtv.io/twitter Instagram: https://rvtv.io/instagram Linkedin: https://rvtv.io/linkedin Disclaimer: https://media.realvision.com/wp/20231004185303/Disclaimer-1.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
About Real Vision: Finance & Investing
Real Vision: Finance & Investing

Real Vision: Finance & Investing

By Real Vision Podcast Network

Welcome to the Real Vision Podcast, your go-to source for cutting-edge insights and expert analysis in the world of finance and investing. Our mission is to arm you with the knowledge, tools, and network you need to succeed on your financial journey. In each episode, we bring you in-depth interviews with the brightest minds in finance, including top investors, analysts, and industry leaders, to help you navigate the complexities of the global economy and make informed investment decisions. Join us as we explore market trends, investment strategies, and the forces shaping the financial landscape. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, Real Vision is here to empower you with the information you need to achieve your financial goals. Subscribe today and access the best curated knowledge for FREE.