Market Performance
| Asset / Index | Value ($) | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 93,100.0 | -0.70% |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 3,216.87 | -0.26% |
| Bitcoin Spot ETF | +697.20M | Net Inflow |
| Ethereum Spot ETF | +168.00M | Net Inflow |
| Nasdaq (NAS100) | 25,465.6 | +0.28% |
| S&P 500 (SPX) | 6,902.04 | +0.64% |
| Russell 2000 (RUT) | 2,544.4 | +0.10% |
| U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) | 97.845 | -0.10% |
| VIX Volatility Index | 14.90 | +2.69% |
| U.S. 10-Year Yield | 4.16139 | -0.65% |
| Brent Crude Oil (BRENT) | 61.761 | -0.64% |
| LBMA Gold (XAU) | 4,463.85 | +0.35% |
| LBMA Silver (XAG) | 78.387 | +2.57% |
“Prepared at UTC 07.48 am”
Today’s Key Events
- US President Trump to Attend Policy Meeting
- FOMC Member Barkin to Speak
- US Final Services PMI (December)
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Appears in US Court for the First Time
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared before a federal court in New York for the first time and denied all charges brought by the US. Maduro claimed he was “kidnapped” by the US military, calling himself a prisoner of war and asserting his presidential immunity. Maduro, who is facing four main charges including drug terrorism and weapons offenses, could face life in prison if convicted. The trial has been postponed until March 17, 2026.
Delcy Rodríguez Sworn In as Interim President of Venezuela
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the role of interim president in the absence of Nicolás Maduro. Under the current legal framework, Rodríguez will be able to exercise executive authority for 90 days. The constitution allows for this period to be extended once, extending the transition period until July. A new presidential election could be on the agenda in August, subject to a decision by the National Assembly.
Venezuela Calls for Cooperation with the US
Venezuela’s interim government has called on the US to establish a joint development and cooperation agenda. A letter published by Foreign Minister Gil emphasized permanent coexistence within the framework of international law. The Caracas administration aims to reduce diplomatic tensions and rebuild economic relations. There has been no official response from Washington to the call.
Trump Administration Imposes Tough Conditions on Venezuela
According to Politico, the Trump administration is demanding that interim leader Rodríguez take pro-US steps. These demands include combating drug trafficking and expelling elements linked to Iran and Cuba. Venezuela is also being asked to stop selling oil to countries opposed to the US. US officials emphasize that expectations for elections in the short term are low.
US Discusses Revitalizing Venezuela’s Energy Sector
US Energy Secretary Wright is preparing to meet with oil company executives to discuss the future of Venezuela’s energy sector. The Trump administration wants US companies to take a leading role in production. However, many companies, including Chevron, are cautious about major investments without political stability and the rule of law. Long-term Washington support is emerging as a critical condition for companies.
Trump’s Approval Rating Rises
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, Donald Trump’s approval rating rose to 42%, reaching its highest level since October. One-third of Americans support US intervention in Venezuela. Sixty-five percent of Republicans approve of Trump’s decision to launch military operations. The poll results show that foreign policy moves are resonating with Trump’s base.
US Manufacturing PMI Data for December Released
The U.S. December ISM Manufacturing PMI data came in at 47.9, above expectations. The final Markit Manufacturing PMI data remained steady at 51.8. The data indicated continued weakness in the manufacturing sector but also signals of a bottoming out. Markets priced the data cautiously in terms of Fed policy.
Fed Member Kashkari: Interest Rates Are Nearly Neutral
Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said policy interest rates are close to neutral. Noting that inflation is gradually declining, Kashkari pointed out that unemployment risks are on the upside. He emphasized that tariff policies could create inflationary pressure in the long term. He stated that more data is needed to determine the Fed’s direction.
Xi Jinping Meets with South Korean Leader Lee Jae-myung
Chinese President Xi Jinping held comprehensive talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The two countries signed 15 cooperation agreements covering technology, trade, and the environment. Xi, in a rare reference to World War II, emphasized their historical shared struggle. The meeting is expected to contribute to the search for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Selling Wave Continues in Japanese Bond Market in New Year
The selling pressure in the Japanese bond market continues unabated in the new year. The 10-year Japanese bond yield reached its highest level since February 1999. While long-term bonds also saw sharp increases, yields on 20-, 30- and 40-year bonds rose significantly. According to analysts, these movements could be one of the biggest risks for the Japanese economy in 2025. The pressure on the yen also shows that investors’ confidence in BOJ policies has weakened.
Turkmenistan Legalizes Cryptocurrency Mining and Exchanges
Turkmenistan has officially brought cryptocurrency mining and exchanges into a legal framework. President Berdimuhamedov approved the law that incorporates virtual assets into domestic law. With the new regulation, licensed cryptocurrency exchanges can be established under the supervision of the central bank. The move is considered a notable development in terms of cryptocurrency regulations in Central Asia. The country is expected to use its energy surplus for mining.
US Senator Lummis Criticizes Government Bitcoin Sales
US Senator Cynthia Lummis questioned the legal basis for the US government’s Bitcoin sales. She recalled that Donald Trump had instructed that Bitcoins be held as strategic reserves rather than sold. She said that selling at a time when other countries are accumulating Bitcoin would weaken the US position. Lummis shared her deep concern about this situation with the public. The statements reignited the debate over crypto reserve policies in the US.
Arthur Hayes: US Move on Venezuela Will Support Bitcoin
Arthur Hayes argued that the US’s steps to gain control over Venezuela are positive for Bitcoin. According to Hayes, this strategy aims to keep inflation under control by suppressing energy prices and creating room for loose monetary policy. Along with nominal GDP growth, risky assets, especially Bitcoin, are expected to rise. Hayes emphasized that long positions should be taken in Bitcoin and high-quality crypto assets in the current environment. He stated that privacy-focused projects could be the next thematic area.
Polygon Foundation CEO: 2026 Will Be the Year of Resurgence for POL
Polygon Foundation CEO Sandeep said a strong deflationary process has begun for the POL token. With approximately 1 million POL burned daily in recent days, if this trend continues, 3.5% of the total supply will be burned annually. Currently, 3.6 billion POL are staked, and stakers receive around 1.5% in rewards. Sandeep stated that thanks to this economic structure, 2026 will be a year of resurgence for POL.
Virtuals Protocol Introduces Three New Launch Models
Virtuals Protocol announced three different launch mechanisms for AI agent projects: Pegasus, Unicorn, and Titan. Pegasus targets rapid testing and fair distribution for early-stage projects. The Unicorn model focuses on performance-based capital formation, prioritizing transparency. Titan offers structured market access to scaled and mature projects. These three models adapt to different stages of agent economy development.
1inch Releases 2025 Data
1inch announced that it reached a total swap volume of $214 billion throughout 2025. This figure indicates a 39% growth on an annual basis. While 114 million transactions were executed on the platform, the number of transactions more than doubled compared to last year. The majority of the volume was concentrated on the Ethereum, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, and Base networks. The data shows that the use of multi-chain DEX is rapidly increasing.
Outage Occurred on Starknet Due to Block Production Issue
The Starknet network experienced an outage lasting more than four hours due to a technical issue with block production. The network halted block production after a validation error was detected. An investigation identified a software bug, and the network reverted to a previous block. After the issue was resolved, transactions resumed. The team confirmed that network security was maintained.
Synths on Optimism Are Being Phased Out
Synthetix announced that all Synths on Optimism will be phased out as part of the transition from legacy systems. A detailed timeline for the process and the steps users need to follow were shared. It was explained how the refund mechanism will work after trading is disabled. This step aims to transition the protocol to a simpler and more efficient structure. Users need to pay attention to the specified dates.
