Market Performance
| Asset / Index | Value ($) | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 88,935.0 | +0.07% |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 3,021.25 | +0.69% |
| Bitcoin Spot ETF | -349.35M | Net Outflow |
| Ethereum Spot ETF | -72.00M | Net Outflow |
| Nasdaq (NAS100) | 25,440.7 | +0.82% |
| S&P 500 (SPX) | 6,845.49 | -0.74% |
| Russell 2000 (RUT) | 2,491.7 | +0.19% |
| U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) | 97.960 | +0.05% |
| VIX Volatility Index | 14.95 | +4.33% |
| U.S. 10-Year Yield | 4.16895 | +0.98% |
| Brent Crude Oil (BRENT) | 61.808 | +0.65% |
| LBMA Gold (XAU) | 4,374.42 | +1.23% |
| LBMA Silver (XAG) | 73.79 | +2.91% |
“Prepared at UTC 07.32 am”
Today’s Key Events
- US Final Manufacturing PMI (December)
- Ethena Unlock
- Story Buyback
Iran Plans to Accept Cryptocurrency Payments in Exchange for Arms Trade
According to the Financial Times, Iran is considering accepting cryptocurrencies as a payment method when selling advanced weapons systems such as ballistic missiles, drones, and warships to foreign governments. Iran’s Defense Export Center Mindex stated that it is open to accepting payments in digital currencies, barter, and Iranian rials. According to promotional materials, this may be the first public example of a state explicitly accepting cryptocurrency for strategic military equipment exports. The center says it has commercial relations with 35 countries and sells various systems, including Shahed UAVs and Emad ballistic missiles. This step shows that countries under heavy sanctions are turning to alternative financial channels.
US Introduces 1% Transfer Tax on Certain International Money Transfers
As of January 2026, a 1% tax will be applied to certain cross-border money transfers in the US. According to regulations by the US Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service, money transfer service providers will be required to collect this tax. The tax will only apply to transactions that meet certain criteria. The amounts collected must be declared and paid to the government. The regulation aims to more closely monitor international money flows.
Elon Musk Signals He Will Continue to Support the Republican Party
Elon Musk argued in his statement that if the radical left gains power in the US, the country will face serious risks. Musk argued that this would increase illegal immigration and fraud. These statements were interpreted as Musk continuing to financially support the US Republican Party. Musk, who has previously been in the news for his political donations, expressed his views in strong terms. The statement resonated in US domestic politics.
Turkmenistan Legalizes Cryptocurrency Mining and Trading
Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a decree legalizing cryptocurrency mining and trading. The new regulation brings crypto assets under civil law and establishes a supervision system for licensed crypto exchanges. However, the use of digital assets as a means of payment or official currency remains prohibited. Internet access in the country continues to be tightly controlled by the state. The decision is seen as a significant policy shift for an economy dependent on natural gas exports.
The United Kingdom and Over 40 Countries Launch CARF Implementation
The United Kingdom and more than 40 countries have implemented the Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) developed by the OECD. Under this framework, crypto exchanges will be required to report the transaction history and tax residency information of users in the UK to HMRC. The United Kingdom is one of a total of 48 countries implementing CARF. Automatic data sharing between countries will begin in 2027. The US plans to launch the implementation in 2028.
85.1% Probability of the Fed Keeping Interest Rates Unchanged in January
According to market pricing, the probability of the Fed keeping interest rates unchanged at its January meeting is calculated at 85.1%. The probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut stands at 14.9%. The cumulative probability of a 25-basis-point cut by March is 51.2%. The probability of a 50-basis-point cut is limited to 5.9%. The data shows that the Fed is maintaining its cautious stance.
Forbes: Bitcoin Could Reach $120,000–$170,000 in 2026
Forbes wrote that Bitcoin price forecasts for 2026 are concentrated in the $120,000 to $170,000 range. It emphasized that institutional capital inflows will be the key determining factor. Institutions such as Tom Lee, Standard Chartered, and Bernstein maintain their bullish outlook. ETF fund flows and corporate treasury investments play a critical role in price discovery. It is noted that the price could exceed $250,000 under favorable macroeconomic conditions.
2026 Responsible Financial Innovation Act May Open Digital Assets to Banks
U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis announced that the 2026 Responsible Financial Innovation Act will authorize banks to offer digital asset custody and staking services. Lummis stated that the regulation will promote innovation while protecting consumers. It was emphasized that digital assets are a permanent part of the financial system. The law could accelerate the integration of crypto with traditional banking. The regulation is being closely monitored by the industry.
Chainlink Reserve Reaches 1.4 Million LINK
It was reported that the Chainlink reserve has reached a total of 1.4 million LINK by adding over 94,000 LINK. This strategic accumulation aims to strengthen the network’s long-term sustainability. Reserve management is seen as a critical element for ecosystem development. Chainlink’s infrastructure role is further solidified with this move. The focus on long-term growth is coming to the fore.
Tether Purchased 8,888 More Bitcoins by the End of 2025
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino announced that the company purchased 8,888 BTC worth approximately $780 million on New Year’s Eve 2025. With this purchase, Tether’s Bitcoin holdings exceeded 96,000 BTC. The company regularly allocates 15% of its quarterly profits to Bitcoin. In addition, Tether’s gold reserves have risen to 116 tons. Tether is one of the world’s largest private Bitcoin treasuries.
a16z Crypto Reveals 17 Key Focus Areas for 2026
a16z crypto shared 17 strategic focus areas for the crypto sector for 2026. Stablecoin infrastructures, RWA tokenization, and new payment models were among the prominent topics. Privacy, AI integration, and quantum-resistant systems were identified as important trends. The critical importance of regulatory and technical architecture alignment was also emphasized. The list reveals the long-term direction of the sector.
Flow Foundation Expects EVM Network to Be Back Online Within 24 Hours
Flow Foundation shared an update on the recovery process following the security breach. While cadence fixes are ongoing, it was stated that a solution to restore EVM functionality has been found. The EVM network is expected to be back online within 24 hours. The second and third phases of the recovery process are progressing in parallel. In the final phase, bridge and exchange functions are planned to be reactivated.
Hyperliquid: Initial Allocation Entirely Reserved for Early Users
Hyperliquid founder Jeff announced that there are no private investors in the protocol. It was stated that there are no market maker privileges or protocol fees paid to companies. It was stated that the entire initial token allocation was directed to early users. Core contributors were not included in this distribution. It was emphasized that the distribution data can be verified on-chain.
