Market Performance
| Asset / Index | Value ($) | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 89,168.0 | +0.50% |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 3,027.74 | +0.88% |
| Bitcoin Spot ETFs | -158.30M | Net Outflow |
| Ethereum Spot ETFs | -75.90M | Net Outflow |
| Nasdaq (NAS100) | 25,460.7 | +0.40% |
| S&P 500 (SPX) | 6,834.49 | +0.88% |
| Russell 2000 (RUT) | 2,534.4 | -0.11% |
| U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) | 98.169 | -0.16% |
| VIX Volatility Index | 14.91 | -11.62% |
| U.S. 10-Year Yield | 4.15200 | +0.88% |
| Brent Crude Oil (BRENT) | 61.253 | +0.45% |
| LBMA Gold (XAU) | 4,413.48 | +1.75% |
| LBMA Silver (XAG) | 68.777 | +2.68% |
“Prepared at UTC 07.43 am”
Today’s Key Events
- No Development in US President Trump’s Schedule
- Details of Strategic BTC Purchases to be Monitored
- UK Growth Data
Dovish Statements from BoJ Governor Ueda
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda adopted a generally dovish tone. While noting that interest rate hikes remain the main focus, he emphasized a comprehensive assessment of growth, inflation, and financial markets. He stated that even at 0.75%, the policy rate is well below the lower bound of the neutral interest rate range. Ueda said that if wage increases continue, core inflation could become persistent, and additional rate hikes could be on the agenda. Following the announcement, Japan’s 10-year bond yield rose to its highest level since 1999, while the USD/JPY exchange rate rose by approximately 1.2%.
US University of Michigan December Consumer Confidence Data (Final)
The University of Michigan Consumer Confidence Index was announced at 52.9 in the final December data. This level was below the preliminary figure (53.3) but showed an increase compared to the previous month. The one-year inflation expectation recorded a limited decline to 4.2%. The long-term 5-10 year inflation expectation remained steady at 3.2%. The data pointed to weak but balanced signals in consumer confidence.
Divergence Among Fed Officials Continues
- New York Fed President John Williams stated that he saw no urgent need for additional interest rate cuts. He argued that previous easing steps had brought monetary policy to a balanced point. C
- Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, however, emphasized inflation risks and expressed her preference for keeping rates steady until spring. Hammack said financial conditions are already loose and that further cuts could encourage risky lending. This divergence within the Fed maintains uncertainty about the policy outlook.
Fed Chair Race Heats Up
It is reported that the list of candidates for Fed chair has been narrowed down to four names. The leading candidates are Kevin Hassett, Kevin Warsh, Christopher Waller, and BlackRock CIO Rick Rieder. Rick Rieder is expected to be interviewed in the last week of the year. Fed Governor Michelle Bowman is reportedly no longer being considered as a candidate. The process is being closely followed in the markets.
Fed Discusses Direct Access to Payment Systems for Crypto Companies
The Federal Reserve has begun gathering opinions on special-purpose payment accounts that could enable crypto and fintech companies to have direct access to central bank payment systems. Fed official Christopher Waller said this structure would support innovation while maintaining system security. These accounts will not earn interest and will not offer credit facilities. However, they will have a simpler approval process and a balance limit will be applied. The consultation period has been set at 45 days.
Jeffrey Epstein Documents from the US Department of Justice
The U.S. Department of Justice has shared some documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case with the public. It was noted that most of the documents were heavily redacted. The published documents contained limited references to Trump and more extensive references to Clinton. The Clinton camp described this process as an attempt to create a scapegoat. Democratic lawmakers argued that the statements did not meet public expectations.
JPMorgan: Bank of Japan May Continue Interest Rate Hikes
JPMorgan economist Ayako Fujita stated that the BOJ may continue its interest rate hikes. This expectation is driven by growing concerns about the impact of the yen’s depreciation on inflation. It was noted that BOJ Governor Ueda had mentioned that some members were concerned about this issue. JPMorgan forecasts two rate hikes in April and October 2026. The bank estimates that the policy rate could reach 1.25% by 2026.
Gold and Silver Hit Records Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Rising geopolitical risks have strengthened demand for safe havens. Gold and silver prices reached all-time highs during the Asian session. US moves regarding tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and military operations in Syria increased risk perception. According to ICE data, spot gold rose to $4409.51 per ounce. The spot silver price also broke records, rising above $69 per ounce.
Michael Saylor: If Strategy Accumulates 5% of BTC, Price Will Reach $1 Million
Michael Saylor said that if Strategy accumulates 5% of the Bitcoin supply, the BTC price will reach $1 million. He argued that if this ratio reaches 7%, the price could rise to $10 million. Saylor described Strategy as a catalyst that strengthens the Bitcoin network. His recent Bitcoin Tracker posts attracted attention. These posts were interpreted as a signal of new BTC purchases.
BitMine Purchased Another 13,412 ETH
According to Lookonchain data, BitMine purchased 13,412 ETH. This purchase is estimated to be worth approximately $40.61 million. The company appears to be continuing to increase its Ethereum holdings in the recent period. This move indicates that institutional demand for ETH continues. The market is closely watching BitMine’s potential new purchases.
Hyperliquid Responds to Trading Controversy
Hyperliquid announced that it has completely banned team members from participating in $HYPE token futures trading. The company emphasized that insider trading is strictly prohibited. It was stated that the wallet in question belonged to a former employee who left in the first quarter of 2024. It was stated that this person’s transactions did not reflect the team’s views. Hyperliquid announced that it will continue to protect the integrity of the ecosystem.
Cardano Founder: Quantum-Resistant Encryption is Quite Costly
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson said that quantum-resistant encryption could incur significant costs. He noted that solutions standardized by NIST in 2024 reduce performance without hardware acceleration. He stated that this could increase transaction costs and reduce network efficiency by approximately one order of magnitude. Hoskinson highlighted DARPA’s test program in assessing the quantum threat. This program aims to analyze practical quantum computing by 2033.
Major Token Unlocks on the Agenda This Week
Over the next 7 days, one-time major unlocks include tokens such as $H, $XPL, $JUP, and $SOON. In linear unlockings, $SOL, $WLD, $DOGE, and $AVAX stand out. It is noteworthy that the daily unlocking amounts exceed $1 million. The total unlocking value is reported to exceed $268 million. These developments may increase short-term price volatility.
