Business

December, 2025

  • 17 December

    Bhutan Pledges $1B in Bitcoin to Build ‘Mindfulness City,’ Won’t Sell Reserves

    The Kingdom of Bhutan has committed up to 10,000 Bitcoin—valued at approximately $1 billion—to support the long-term growth of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a visionary economic hub blending sustainability, innovation, and Buddhist-inspired principles. Announced by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck during his National Day Address on December 17, 2025, the “Bitcoin Development Pledge” positions the cryptocurrency as a strategic national …

  • 17 December

    Asia Market Open: Bitcoin Holds $87K as Stocks Edge Higher on Mixed U.S. Jobs Data

    Asian markets opened cautiously on December 17, 2025, with equities posting modest gains despite lingering concerns over a softening U.S. labor market. Bitcoin recovered to around $87,000 in early trading, rebounding from recent dips as traders assessed mixed macroeconomic signals. The latest U.S. jobs report, released on December 16, revealed a sharp slowdown: nonfarm payrolls added only 64,000 jobs in …

  • 17 December

    U.S. Banks Get Green Light to Issue Stablecoins as FDIC Implements GENIUS Act

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has taken a significant step toward implementing the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act by approving a notice of proposed rulemaking on December 16, 2025. The proposal outlines an application process for FDIC-supervised banks to seek approval to issue payment stablecoins through dedicated subsidiaries. Signed into law by President Donald …

  • 17 December

    Robinhood Rolls Out Sports Betting Feature Before NFL Playoffs

    Robinhood Markets Inc. has expanded its prediction markets platform with new sports-focused features, including player proposition bets and preset combination contracts for NFL games, just in time for the upcoming playoffs starting in January 2026. Announced on December 16, 2025, the updates allow users to trade event contracts on individual player performances—such as touchdowns, passing yards, or rushing stats—as well …

  • 17 December

    SBF’s Ex Caroline Ellison Moved to Early Community Confinement

    Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research and ex-girlfriend of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), has been quietly transferred to community confinement after serving approximately 11 months of her two-year prison sentence. The move, which occurred on October 16, 2025, places her in a less restrictive setting—likely a halfway house or home confinement—while she remains under federal supervision. Ellison, …

  • 16 December

    ON A SPECIAL VISIT TO VANTARA, LIONEL MESSI EXPERIENCES UNFORGETTABLE ENCOUNTERS WITH SACRED INDIAN TRADITIONS AND WILDLIFE

    Jamnagar, India, 16 December, 2025: Global football icon Lionel Messi made a special visit to Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre founded by Anant Ambani. At the centre, initiatives traditionally begin with seeking blessings in accordance with Sanatana Dharma, which emphasises reverence for nature and respect for all living beings. Messi’s visit reflected this cultural ethos as he participated in …

  • 16 December

    Real Estate Sector Sustains Upward Momentum in 2025

    Despite heightened geopolitical tensions, global macroeconomic headwinds, and shifting trade dynamics, India maintained steady economic progress in 2025. Strong domestic consumption, structural reforms, and continued investment in large-scale infrastructure kept economic fundamentals stable. In this environment, the Indian real estate sector sustained its growth trajectory across office, retail, warehousing, and residential segments. Union Budget 2025–26 Reinforces Long-Term Vision The Union …

  • 16 December

    One of the Largest DDoS Attacks Hits Solana, But Network Remains Unscathed

    Solana, a top blockchain platform, has emerged unscathed from one of the largest DDoS attacks in history, demonstrating unparalleled network resilience amid escalating cyber threats. The sustained assault, ongoing for over a week as of December 16, 2025, peaked at nearly 6 terabits per second (Tbps)—ranking as the fourth-largest DDoS event against any distributed system, per data from SolanaFloor. Attackers …

  • 16 December

    US Financial Watchdog No Longer Views Crypto as a Systemic Threat: Report

    The U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) has removed cryptocurrencies from its list of potential systemic threats to financial stability in its 2025 annual report, marking a dramatic regulatory pivot toward embracing digital assets. Released on December 11, 2025, the report eliminates previous warnings about crypto’s contagion risks, stablecoin vulnerabilities to runs, and market concentration issues highlighted in 2024. Instead, …

  • 16 December

    Asia Market Open: Bitcoin Slides to $85K Amid Falling Asian Shares

    Bitcoin plunged nearly 4% to around $85,900 during Asian trading hours on December 16, 2025, extending a broader cryptocurrency sell-off as risk assets faced renewed pressure. The decline coincided with lower openings in major Asian stock indices, underscoring heightened investor caution in global markets. After failing to sustain above $90,000 following a rejection near $100,000 earlier in the month, Bitcoin …