European stocks reached record highs, while Bitcoin soared past $62,000, making for a strong evening digest.
European equities closed higher on Friday, with the STOXX 600 up 0.7% to a record high and Germany’s DAX gaining 0.8% to an all‑time peak. The rally was led by cyclical sectors such as industrials, financials and defense after a de‑escalation in Middle‑East tensions. Notable gainers included Siemens (+2.6%) and semiconductor firms Aixtron, Soitec and BE Semiconductor, which rose 4‑6%. Bitcoin broke $62,000, reaching $62,550, its highest level since June 24. Whale wallets added more than 270,000 BTC, worth about $16.7 billion, while U.S. spot ETFs saw $4.06 billion of outflows in June. Analysts say holding above the 200‑week moving average near $62,650 is crucial for a continued breakout. Tesla announced that its robotaxi service is now available in Miami, extending the U.S. rollout that already covers Austin, Dallas and Houston. The company operates 42 robotaxis in Texas, far fewer than Waymo’s 577 vehicles in the state, highlighting intensifying competition from Waymo and Zoox. CEO Elon Musk notes the service is unlikely to generate significant revenue this year. Poland’s prime minister warned that the coming months could be critical amid reports of a possible Russian provocation near NATO borders. He said Poland is preparing for various scenarios and is receiving intelligence from allies. NATO leaders will meet in Turkey next week to discuss defence spending and support for Ukraine.
