KLEA Crypto Daily: Monday, December 29, 2025

Published: December 30, 2025 – 00:03 UTC

Here’s a look back at the key stories from December 29, 2025.

Cryptocurrency Derivatives Market Faces Structural Challenges in 2025

A report reveals that the cryptocurrency derivatives market in 2025 saw forced liquidations amounting to $150 billion, reflecting a norm in the market dominated by derivatives. Despite the crisis appearance, liquidations are part of the price discovery mechanism driven by perpetual swaps and basis trading.

Trump Considers Legal Action Against Federal Reserve Chair Powell

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering legal action against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, citing 'incompetence' as the reason. Trump maintains his preference for a new Federal Reserve Chair, with an announcement expected in January.

Bitmine Adds 44,000 ETH, Begins Staking Ahead of 2026 Validator Plan

Bitmine Immersion Technologies has started staking a portion of its ether holdings, placing more than 400,000 ETH into yield-generating contracts as it builds toward a larger validator strategy planned for 2026. The company's total crypto and cash holdings stand at $13.2 billion, with significant investments in Ethereum.

Ubisoft Pulls Rainbow Six Siege After Hack Floods Players With $13.3M in Credits

French gaming company Ubisoft took down Rainbow Six Siege due to a security breach that allowed hackers to flood user accounts with billions of dollars’ worth of in-game currency. Players received 2 billion R6 credits each, leading to concerns about the impact of the exploit on the game's economy and user experience.

Strategy Buys 1,229 BTC at $88,000, But Peter Schiff Isn’t Impressed

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) has acquired another 1,229 BTC for $108.8 million at an average price of $88,568 per Bitcoin as Peter Schiff criticizes the company's buying spree. Total holdings now stand at 672,497 BTC, acquired for $50.44 billion.

Crypto Leaders Push Back Against California’s Proposed 5% Billionaire Wealth Tax

Tech and crypto industry leaders are opposing California's proposed 5% "billionaire wealth tax," warning of its negative impact on entrepreneurs and innovation in the region. The tax could add uncertainty and hinder investment in the tech and crypto sectors.

Bitcoin Isn’t Breaking Out—But Derivatives Traders Are Positioning Like It Will

Bitcoin's price range appears calm, but derivatives traders are actively shaping expectations for early 2026, positioning for potential movements despite the current consolidation.

Canton (CC) Price Rises 42% On XRPL Comparisons — Healthy Pullback Next?

The Canton Network price has surged, driven by XRPL comparisons, but a possible pullback could set the stage for a larger price structure, with signals indicating a consolidating phase.

Bitcoin briefly Surges Past $90K Before Retreating

Bitcoin briefly surged past $90K on Dec. 29, lifting its market cap above $1.8 trillion before retreating, revealing weak liquidity and a bearish structure. Despite cooling selling pressure, buyers remain hesitant, with retail traders betting on a January recovery.

China Lets Banks Pay Interest on Digital Yuan Wallets from January 2026

China's central bank will allow banks to pay interest on digital yuan wallets starting Jan. 1, 2026, reshaping e-CNY as deposit-like money. This move comes as the US bans CBDCs, transforming the digital yuan's role from cash to digital deposit money.

Bitdeer Technologies Increases Bitcoin Holdings

Singapore-listed company Bitdeer Technologies has increased its Bitcoin holdings by 1.5 BTC, bringing its total holdings to 1998.3 BTC and ranking it 36th globally in Bitcoin holdings.

UBS Raises Gold Price Targets for 2026

UBS Group has adjusted its gold price targets for 2026, setting them at $5,000 per ounce for March, June, and September, up from the previous target of $4,500 per ounce, with an anticipated slight decline to $4,800 per ounce by the end of the year.

Robinhood Distributes $750,000 in Bitcoin to Boost User Engagement

Robinhood Markets gave away $750,000 worth of Bitcoin during its holiday countdown event, aiming to showcase its cryptocurrency capabilities and reward retail investors. This move is part of a larger strategic campaign to position Robinhood as a central hub for various financial services experiences.

Source: KLEA News