Global financial markets reacted swiftly after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with investors moving to position themselves amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and expectations of shifting economic dynamics.

Prices of precious metals rose sharply as market participants sought the relative safety of so-called safe-haven assets. Gold climbed by about 2.4% to $4,433 (£3,293) an ounce, reflecting increased demand from investors looking to protect portfolios against global risk. Silver also recorded strong gains, rising by 4.9%, underlining a broader move into defensive assets during early trading.

Defence stocks across Europe advanced in response to the weekend’s developments, as investors anticipated the possibility of higher military spending by governments reacting to changing geopolitical realities. Analysts noted that such shifts often benefit defence firms in the short to medium term, contributing to the positive momentum seen in the sector.

Oil markets, by contrast, were more measured. Crude prices fluctuated in early Monday trading as investors assessed whether Washington’s intervention in Venezuela could materially affect global supply. Brent crude edged up just 0.5% to $61.06 a barrel, with analysts pointing out that ample global supplies were likely to cushion any potential disruption from Venezuela.

Despite the relatively stable oil price, energy stocks — particularly in the United States — showed notable strength. Shares in US oil companies rose in premarket trading on expectations that American firms could gain greater access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Chevron, currently the only US company operating in the country, saw its shares jump by more than 7%, signalling investor optimism about future opportunities.

US President Donald Trump has openly stated his intention to tap into Venezuela’s significant oil wealth following the seizure of Maduro. He said the United States would “run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition”, comments that markets interpreted as a signal of potential policy shifts with long-term economic implications.

With a potential TikTok ban looming in the United States, many of the app’s 170 million American users are flocking to the Chinese platform RedNote. Dubbed “TikTok refugees,” these users have propelled RedNote to the top spot on Apple’s US App Store as of Monday.

RedNote, known in China as Xiaohongshu or “Little Red Book,” boasts approximately 300 million monthly users and combines features similar to TikTok and Instagram. It is particularly popular among young urban women in China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions, offering a platform for exchanging lifestyle tips on topics ranging from fashion to relationships.

The app’s growing popularity comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to decide on a law requiring TikTok to sell its U.S. operations by January 19 or face a ban. TikTok has refused to sell, arguing that such a move would violate the free speech rights of its users.

RedNote has embraced its influx of U.S. users, with 63,000 posts tagged “TikTok refugee” providing guidance on navigating the platform and learning basic Chinese phrases. One U.S. user humorously wrote, “To our Chinese hosts, thanks for having us—sorry in advance for the chaos.”

Despite its warm reception, RedNote is not without controversy. Critics point to censorship concerns, particularly regarding criticisms of the Chinese government. Additionally, public officials in Taiwan are restricted from using RedNote due to perceived security risks associated with Chinese software.

As U.S. users join RedNote, some Chinese users have joked about being labeled “Chinese spies,” referencing U.S. officials’ concerns over TikTok’s alleged ties to Chinese government surveillance. However, RedNote has distanced itself from political associations, stating that its name does not reference Mao Zedong’s famous “Little Red Book.”

Bitcoin has soared to a new all-time high, briefly surpassing $106,000 (£83,890) on Monday during Asian trading hours. The cryptocurrency’s unprecedented rally marks a 50% surge since Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election on November 5, with market sentiment buoyed by the incoming administration’s pro-cryptocurrency stance.

The Trump administration has signaled a friendlier approach to digital currencies compared to its predecessor. Notably, President-elect Trump recently announced plans to explore creating a national Bitcoin reserve, akin to the U.S. strategic oil reserve, to support the cryptocurrency’s strategic adoption.

Peter McGuire of trading platform XM.com attributed the surge to growing “FOMO” (fear of missing out) among investors. “The Bitcoin rally since the election has been parabolic,” McGuire explained. “Many investors believe $120,000 is achievable by the end of the year, and projections for mid-2025 suggest prices could exceed $150,000.”

Adding to the market optimism, Trump has appointed David Sacks, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former PayPal executive, as his AI and cryptocurrency czar. Sacks, known for his close ties to Trump advisor and billionaire Elon Musk, is expected to play a significant role in shaping the administration’s blockchain and cryptocurrency policies.