Barista Coffee reaches 555 outlets as Bitcoin slips below $80,000 amid market pressure

Barista Coffee announced the opening of its seventh outlet in Salt Lake, Kolkata, taking its total network to 555 cafés across India. The new location offers a hybrid format with signature drinks, protein coffee, matcha, bubble tea and a menu that includes sandwiches, pizzas, pasta, rolls and an English breakfast. It also provides flexible space for remote-working professionals, meetings and social gatherings. > "Reaching 555 cafés reflects the trust of customers, dedication of teams and commitment of partners," said Rajat Agrawal, CEO of Barista Coffee, adding that the brand aims to expand its presence and deliver memorable coffee experiences in more Indian markets.

In cryptocurrency news, Bitcoin slipped below the $80,000 level, trading around $77,600, as investors reacted to persistent US inflation, a strong third-quarter GDP report and a reported security incident at Binance that triggered liquidations of over $1.5 billion. Institutional demand remained evident, with US spot Bitcoin ETFs recording inflows of $137 million for a third consecutive day, but the buying pressure was insufficient to halt the price decline. Analysts noted that $78,000 is a key support level, while a rebound above $80,000-$81,000 would be needed for a sustained recovery.

Other major cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, XRP and Solana, also faced selling pressure, with Ethereum hovering near $2,210. The broader crypto market sentiment turned fearful, reflected in a decline of the fear-and-greed index to 35.

On the commodities front, gold and silver futures in India experienced selling pressure. December gold futures were quoted at Rs 1,42,353 per 10 grams, down 0.94%, while December silver futures fell to Rs 1,88,943 per kilogram, a 2.77% decline. International spot gold was priced at $4,006 per ounce and spot silver at $52.08 per ounce.

Indian equity markets showed mixed signals. The Nifty 50 rose 1.05% to 22,936.75 after a rally driven by financials and FMCG stocks, but futures pointed to a modestly lower open, influenced by a sharp sell-off in US technology shares. Analysts highlighted a potential concentration in non-bank finance, life-insurance and healthcare stocks as the market navigates the current risk-on environment.