Crypto Markets
Precious metals experienced a dramatic plunge on Friday, with silver dropping 35% and gold falling 12% from recent highs. Bitcoin remained relatively stable around $83,000 amid the volatility. The sell-off appears linked to President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair.
Reported by AI
Compass Point analyst Ed Engel has upgraded his rating on Circle (CRCL) to Neutral from Sell, acknowledging its shift toward behaving like a crypto market proxy. Despite the upgrade, Engel maintains a low price target of $60, citing ongoing valuation concerns and competition. The move follows a similar revision by Mizuho's Dan Dolev and comes as USDC's supply has declined.
China's onshore yuan closed at its strongest level since May 2023, trading at 7.0066 per dollar, amid a weakening US dollar. This development, typically bullish for bitcoin, has not lifted the cryptocurrency, which lingers below $90,000. Factors like thin year-end liquidity and ETF outflows are muting the expected rally.
Reported by AI
Continuing the pattern of weakness during U.S. trading hours, bitcoin slipped below $88,000 on Monday, December 22, 2025, after failing to hold $90,000 gains, while gold surged to a record $4,475 per ounce. Traders eye a record $28.5 billion options expiry on Deribit this Friday amid volatility, with bitcoin miners pivoting to AI outperforming peers.