Listen to today’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-nqwUyvLDEvs7bV985k-gQ
Bitcoin/Crypto Daily Podcast 12/25/2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories: a mix of market movers, regulatory milestones, and industry milestones that shape where crypto goes next. Here’s what you need to know.
Four factors that will drive the Bitcoin price into 2026. ‘Nothing stops this train’
Source: DL News
Analysts say Bitcoin’s 30% slide from its October high stems from price-insensitive selling by long-time holders around $100K, traders front-running the four-year cycle, risk-off spillover from the AI trade, and lingering effects from October’s $19B liquidations. Despite near-term bruises, they remain structurally bullish into 2026, arguing macro liquidity dynamics favor BTC over time.
ETH, SOL, ADA slump as bitcoin weakness lingers despite record stocks jump
Source: CoinDesk
Crypto market cap slipped 1.4% to $2.97T as BTC failed to hold $90K and majors like SOL and XRP underperformed, even while global equities hit records. CoinShares reported $952M in fund outflows led by bitcoin and ether, and analysts warn seller control could drive a broader, risk-off decline in coming weeks.
Crypto M&A hits record $8.6 billion in 2025 as Trump’s regulatory stance spurs deals
Source: CoinDesk
Dealmaking surged to a record $8.6B as friendlier U.S. policy—including the GENIUS Act and a federal stablecoin framework—coincided with a global race for licenses under regimes like the EU’s MiCA. Headline transactions included Coinbase’s $2.9B purchase of Deribit, Kraken’s NinjaTrader deal, and Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, underscoring consolidation and institutionalization.
SEC files charges over $14 million crypto scam using fake AI-themed investment tips
Source: The Hacker News
The SEC charged multiple firms tied to WhatsApp investment clubs that allegedly peddled bogus AI-driven trading signals, funneled investors into fake platforms (Morocoin, Berge, Cirkor), and promoted sham STOs. Regulators seek injunctions and penalties after at least $14M was siphoned through complex bank and crypto channels, often overseas.
World’s oldest Bitcoin mining pool celebrates 15th anniversary, has mined 1,311,339 bitcoins worth $115 billion
Source: Tom’s Hardware
Braiins Pool (formerly Slush Pool) marks 15 years, claiming 1.31M BTC mined and hash power that’s exploded from 60,000 KH/s in 2010 to roughly 13.56 EH/s today. The milestone captures crypto’s industrialization—from hobbyist CPU/GPU setups to scaled infrastructure—as BTC’s value and mining difficulty soared.
Bitcoin nears breakout from the $85,000–$90,000 range as options expiry looms
Source: CoinDesk
Dealer hedging pinned BTC in a tight December range as heavy gamma around $85K–$90K forced buy-the-dip/sell-the-rip flows. With $27B in options expiring Dec. 26 and a call-heavy skew, the setup tilts toward an upside resolution toward the mid-$90Ks as implied vol lingers near one-month lows.
Hong Kong proceeds with licensing regimes for virtual asset dealers and custodians
Source: Cointelegraph
Hong Kong will legislate licensing for crypto dealers and custodians, building on its stablecoin ordinance and tokenization efforts to deepen a comprehensive digital-asset framework. The SFC also launched a consultation to bring advisory and management services into scope under AML/CFT rules, reinforcing the city’s bid to be a trusted regional hub.
Sling Money receives approval to offer crypto services in UK as stablecoin payments gain popularity
Source: CoinDesk
Sling Money secured FCA approval in the U.K., enabling USDP and EURC transfers on Solana with bank-linked on/off-ramps and instant local currency withdrawals across 80 countries. Already licensed under MiCA via the Netherlands, Sling remains in closed beta as stablecoin remittances and payments go mainstream.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin trade flat, while XRP slides: popular analyst predicts $37,500 market bottom for bitcoin in 2026
Source: Yahoo Finance
The headline points to largely flat trading for bitcoin, ether, and dogecoin while XRP underperformed. It also highlights a popular analyst’s call for a potential $37,500 bitcoin bottom in 2026.
HashKey Capital’s $500 million-target blockchain fund raises $250 million in first round
Source: CoinDesk
HashKey Capital closed a $250M first round for its fourth fund targeting $500M to back infrastructure and real-world use cases across public and private markets. The Asia-based manager—an early Ethereum backer with over $1B AUM—continues to bridge TradFi and crypto, including roles in launching Hong Kong’s spot BTC and ETH ETFs.
