Listen to today’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-nqwUyvLDEvs7bV985k-gQ
Bitcoin/Crypto Daily Podcast — 12/21/2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF racks up $25 billion in yearly inflows despite BTC price slump
Read the full story | Author: Stephen Alpher | Date: Dec 20, 2025
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ranked sixth among all U.S. ETFs for 2025 inflows with more than $25 billion, despite the fund being down roughly 9.6% year-to-date. Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas called the performance a long-term positive, noting strong “HODL” behavior from investors even in a down year. The takeaway: sticky, non-momentum capital is entering Bitcoin via regulated vehicles.
IBIT ranking 6th in 2025 ETF flows despite negative returns is ‘a really good sign’
Read the full story | Author: Amin Haqshanas | Date: Dec 20, 2025
IBIT’s roughly $25 billion of net inflows arrived even as price performance lagged, reinforcing that investors are behaving like long-term allocators. Balchunas suggested heavy ETF buying hasn’t pushed BTC higher because the market is acting more like a mature asset class, with profit-taking and options strategies muting upside. BlackRock executives also downplayed November outflows, calling IBIT a major revenue driver and stressing that flows are part of normal cash management.
Bitcoin’s quantum debate is resurfacing, and markets are starting to notice
Read the full story | Author: Shaurya Malwa | Date: Dec 20, 2025
Developers say practical quantum threats to Bitcoin are decades away, but investors want a clearer roadmap as governments and enterprises adopt post-quantum standards. Proposals like BIP-360 would introduce quantum-resistant signature schemes and allow a gradual migration to safer address formats. The friction isn’t about panic—it’s about aligning timelines and planning so capital remains confident in Bitcoin’s long-term security.
Gold wins the debasement trade in 2025, but it is not the full story
Read the full story | Author: James Van Straten | Date: Dec 20, 2025
Gold surged 65% this year while Bitcoin slipped about 7%, breaking their early-year correlation and handing metals the “debasement trade” crown for 2025. Yet ETF data shows Bitcoin ETP flows outpaced gold’s, and U.S. spot BTC ETFs held nearly as many coins as at the October peak—evidence the drawdown wasn’t driven by ETF redemptions. IBIT’s market share rose to nearly 60%, underscoring persistent institutional engagement.
How a single copy-paste mistake cost a user $50M in USDT
Read the full story | Author: Amin Haqshanas | Date: Dec 20, 2025
An address-poisoning scam led a user to send nearly $50 million in USDT to a look-alike wallet after copying from transaction history. The attacker quickly swapped and split funds, partly via Tornado Cash, highlighting how social engineering and human habits—not protocol failures—drive many losses. Actionable takeaway: always verify full wallet addresses and avoid relying on recent-history copy-paste.
Fundstrat’s circulating 2026 crypto outlook warns of pullback, contrasting Tom Lee
Read the full story | Author: Amin Haqshanas | Date: Dec 20, 2025
A purported internal Fundstrat note calls for a meaningful H1 2026 drawdown—BTC to $60k–$65k, ETH to $1.8k–$2k, SOL to $50–$75—clashing with Tom Lee’s recent ultra-bullish views. The memo, reportedly by Sean Farrell, hasn’t been publicly verified, underscoring how divided outlooks remain across the sell-side and influencers. For investors, it’s a reminder to scenario-plan for both continued adoption and cyclical risk.
Bitcoin rallies thwarted by fading Fed rate cut odds, softening US macro
Read the full story | Author: Marcel Pechman | Date: Dec 20, 2025
Bitcoin’s inability to hold above $92k aligns with risk-off signals: resilient Treasury demand, uncertain rate-cut odds, and weakening consumer data. With gold preferred as the near-term macro hedge, BTC is struggling against a backdrop of soft growth and global bond market jitters. Until risk appetite returns, liquidity tailwinds may not translate into sustained crypto upside.
Pantera Capital, Circle Ventures pile on as crypto startups haul $313 million this week
Read the full story | Author: Lance Datskoluo | Date: Dec 20, 2025
VCs poured $313 million into 16 crypto startups this week, with bigger checks to fewer companies and 2025’s total raising topping $25 billion. Standouts included RedotPay’s $107 million Series B for stablecoin payments, Fuse Energy’s $70 million for decentralized power networks, and METYA’s $50 million for AI-driven SocialFi. The funding cadence shows continued conviction in crypto infrastructure and real-world utility plays.
The UK’s crypto rulebook is finally taking shape
Read the full story | Author: Jamie Crawley, AI Boost | Edited by Stephen Alpher | Date: Dec 20, 2025
The FCA’s latest consultations map a hybrid regime applying core financial standards to crypto, with market-specific rules for admissions, disclosures, and abuse—targeting an October 2027 go-live. The approach tackles staking, intermediaries, and DeFi while balancing innovation with consumer protection and global liquidity realities. Key open questions remain on stablecoins, DeFi accountability, and extraterritorial reach.
Украина заняла первое место в мире по использованию стейблкоинов по отношению к ВВП
Read the full story | Author: N/A | Date: Jun 17, 2024
Ukraine topped global rankings for stablecoin usage relative to GDP and led in real, transactional crypto use—a shift accelerated by wartime financial constraints. Analysts cite high activity across CEX and DeFi, increasing crypto-based income, and rapid growth in tokenized real-world assets. It’s a powerful case study in crypto as financial plumbing under stress.
Adam Back slams Bitcoiner VC for ‘uninformed noise’ about quantum risk
Read the full story | Author: Ciaran Lyons | Date: Dec 20, 2025
Blockstream’s Adam Back criticized Nic Carter for amplifying quantum risk concerns, while Carter highlighted his investment in Project Eleven to prepare Bitcoin for post-quantum threats. The exchange underscores a growing divide: some advocate quiet, methodical prep; others want public urgency and funding. Expect the debate to persist as capital asks for clearer security roadmaps.
