Mahendra Jajoo Joins Quant MF; Markets Rally Amid Tensions
Mahendra Jajoo, a seasoned expert in managing money in India, has taken on a new role as Executive Director at Quant Mutual Fund. This is a significant move in the Indian mutual fund industry. Jajoo brings with him decades of experience and a strong track record. He spent over 10 years at Mirae Asset Investment Managers India, where he led fixed income investments. Under his leadership, the company’s debt fund assets grew massively—from just ₹3.2 billion in 2016 to more than ₹320 billion by November 2023.
Quant Mutual Fund, one of India’s rising fund houses, currently manages around ₹968 billion (roughly $10.7 billion) across equity, debt, and hybrid schemes. The addition of Jajoo is expected to strengthen Quant’s investment team and help them expand further in the fixed income space.
Meanwhile, in global markets, U.S. stocks climbed higher on Monday. Investors showed strong interest in technology shares despite rising geopolitical tensions after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured. This surprising development raised concerns about global stability but didn’t stop the bullish sentiment in equities.
The Nasdaq 100 gained 0.8%, driven by big names like Amazon and Tesla. The S&P 500 followed with a 0.6% increase, and the Dow Jones hit a new record high, helped by gains in energy and financial stocks. Oil prices also moved up as traders reacted to the situation in Venezuela. Brent crude rose, and shares of energy giants like Chevron saw gains after President Trump hinted at restarting Venezuela’s oil industry under U.S. guidance.
Safe haven assets also saw a spike—gold jumped nearly 3% to above $4,400 an ounce, while silver went up by almost 5%. These moves suggest that while investors are still chasing growth, they are also being cautious amid uncertainty.
Adrian Helfert, Chief Investment Officer at Westwood, said that unless there are more major geopolitical shocks, the positive momentum in stock markets is likely to continue.
In Asia, tech stocks were also on the rise, with regional indices reaching all-time highs. U.S.-based Qualcomm announced plans to expand its chip business into personal computers, further fueling investor excitement around artificial intelligence (AI). Still, some investors worry that AI hype could be forming a bubble, but many remain optimistic about its long-term potential.
In bond markets, yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes fell to 4.16% after new data showed that U.S. manufacturing activity dropped significantly in December. Bitcoin and Ethereum both rose over 3%, reflecting continued interest in crypto assets.
Venezuelan bonds also saw gains. Investors are hopeful that with Maduro’s capture and possible changes in leadership, there could be a debt restructuring. Some defaulted bonds from the government and state oil company PDVSA have already more than doubled in value in recent months.
Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting president, called for cooperation with the U.S., signaling a possible shift toward friendlier relations.
Looking ahead, key U.S. economic reports will shape market direction this week. The job market report for December will be closely watched, along with data on job openings, housing starts, and consumer sentiment. These reports could influence future decisions by the Federal Reserve on interest rate cuts.
In corporate news:
– U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright plans to meet with oil company leaders to discuss rebuilding Venezuela’s energy sector.
– Vistra Corp. is buying Cogentrix Energy for $4 billion. The deal includes 10 natural gas power plants with a combined capacity of 5.5 gigawatts.
– IPOs in 2025 didn’t perform well due to stock market swings and concerns over crypto and AI-related businesses.
– Saks Global Enterprises is considering filing for bankruptcy and may borrow up to $1 billion to keep operations going.
Here’s how key markets performed:
Stocks:
– S&P 500: +0.6%
– Nasdaq 100: +0.8%
– Dow Jones: +1.2%
– MSCI World Index: +0.8%
Currencies:
– U.S. Dollar Index: -0.1%
– Euro: flat at $1.1725
– British Pound: +0.6% to $1.3543
– Japanese Yen: +0.3% to 156.35 per dollar
Cryptocurrencies:
– Bitcoin: +3.2% to $94,153
– Ethereum: +3.1% to $3,240
Bonds:
– U.S. 10-year yield: down to 4.16%
– Germany 10-year yield: down to 2.87%
– UK 10-year yield: down to 4.51%
Commodities:
– WTI Crude Oil: +1.8% to $58.34 per barrel
– Gold: +2.6% to $4,446 per ounce
Investors will be watching closely as economic updates and geopolitical events continue to shape global markets in the days ahead.
Search Engines Drive Nearly Half of Crypto Site Traffic
A new report from Outset PR shows that nearly half (46%) of all visitors to crypto websites in Q3 2025 came from search engines like Google. This is a big deal in a world where people usually get quick updates from social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). It means that more people are turning to search engines for trustworthy, in-depth information about crypto, rather than relying on viral posts.
Search engines are especially helpful for beginners who want clear answers about how blockchain and cryptocurrencies work. Blockchain is basically a secure digital ledger that tracks all crypto transactions. According to the report, crypto-native websites—those that focus only on digital assets and blockchain news—saw consistent traffic from search. In contrast, other discovery channels like Google Discover and social media referrals declined. This drop was likely caused by algorithm changes and tighter content rules under Europe’s MiCA regulations, which are designed to reduce scams and misinformation in the crypto space.
A good example of this trend is Binance’s recent approval to operate in Europe under MiCA rules. After this announcement, many users searched for “Binance MiCA license,” leading to a surge in traffic to articles explaining what it means. This helped build trust among investors. AI-powered tools like Perplexity are starting to send some traffic too—about 0.65% of visits to Eastern European crypto sites came from these tools in early Q2. Still, traditional search remains dominant, with a 42-45% share for topics like “best Ethereum ETFs in Europe.”
This growing use of search engines shows that crypto users are becoming more mature and careful. Instead of chasing hype, they’re looking for reliable facts to make smart decisions in a volatile market. High-quality crypto sites now capture 78% of all traffic, proving that good content matters. Beginners benefit by learning how to search smarter, while experienced traders focus on SEO to stay visible.
Even though social media is everywhere, search engines still lead when it comes to serious questions. A beginner might type “how to buy Bitcoin safely” and land on a detailed guide explaining digital wallets and private keys. An investor might search “Solana ETF Europe approval odds” to study market risks before putting in money. These habits show that people prefer depth over noise.
AI tools like chatbots are starting to play a role by quickly summarizing news and guiding users to relevant sites. In some regions, they now drive about 1% of crypto site traffic. Meanwhile, strict crypto laws like MiCA encourage websites to provide accurate and compliant content. For example, a French user searching for “Ledger hardware wallet review post-MiCA” will find trustworthy reviews that follow new legal standards. As stablecoin volumes hit €50 billion per quarter, more users are searching for safe yield options and comparing products.
Always remember: cryptocurrency investments are risky. Do your own research before making any decisions.
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Some casinos, such as CoinCasino and BC.Game, even let you buy crypto directly using your debit or credit card. A reliable casino should offer 24/7 support via live chat or email. A quick online search can tell you a lot about a crypto casino’s reputation. Crypto casinos offer many benefits not usually found at traditional online casinos. For example, Plinko is a fast-paced and customizable game based on a classic pegboard concept. It’s especially popular at sites like CoinCasino and Betpanda, which also provide full live chat support.
Slot fans will love regular promotions like daily or weekly prize drops that can award up to 2.5 BTC—no bonus code needed. Rewards are paid out in BCD, BC.Game’s native token. Instead of just one welcome bonus, BC.Game gives new users bonuses for their first four deposits. Cloudbet is another solid choice among provably fair Bitcoin casinos where all game outcomes can be verified for fairness.
As cryptocurrency markets mature globally, regulations around digital assets are evolving too. While some experts believe AI is changing many industries, it’s not yet replacing human content creators in online publishing. By 2023, more publishers are realizing AI tools still have limits when it comes to writing quality content. Crypto exchanges let you trade traditional money like USD or Euros into digital currencies.
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Q4 2025 Market Recap: Stocks Rise, Crypto Falls, Gold Soars
**Q4 2025 Market Recap: Stocks Up, Bonds Steady, Crypto Crashes, and Gold Shines**
The fourth quarter of 2025 was a mixed bag for investors. Stocks continued to climb but lost some steam, bonds gained as the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again, and cryptocurrencies took a major hit. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how the markets performed and what drove the changes.
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### Stock Market: Slower Growth, Shift Away From Tech
U.S. stocks gained 2.4% in Q4 2025, pushing full-year gains to 17%. However, the excitement around artificial intelligence (AI) that had fueled big tech companies started to fade. Investors became unsure if AI leaders like Nvidia and Oracle could keep up their rapid growth, especially with rising debt levels tied to building AI infrastructure.
As tech stocks stumbled, investors looked for safer bets. Value stocks—companies considered undervalued compared to their earnings—performed better than growth stocks. Sectors like healthcare bounced back strong, becoming the top performer with an 11.27% gain in Q4.
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### Value vs. Growth Stocks
Value stocks came out on top this quarter:
– Mid-cap value stocks rose 4.23%
– Small-cap value gained 4.18%
– Large-cap value increased 4.14%
Meanwhile, growth stocks struggled:
– Large-cap growth stocks dropped 1.42%
– Mid-cap growth fell by a steep 5.41%
– Small-cap growth edged up just 1.5%
Despite the Q4 stumble, large-cap growth stocks still led for the year with a 19.64% total return.
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### Sector Performance
Tech wasn’t the only story this quarter. Here’s how other sectors did:
– **Healthcare**: Best performer, up 11.27%
– **Financials**: Up 2.50%
– **Industrials**: Gained 2.09%
– **Utilities**: Dropped 1.35% as they became more tied to tech through data center demand
– **Real Estate**: Worst performer, down 1.95%
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### Dividend Stocks Hold Steady
Dividend-paying companies matched the broader market:
– Morningstar Dividend Composite Index rose 2.4%
– Dividend Growth Index climbed 2.6%
– Dividend Leaders Index (top 100 high-yield stocks) gained 3.5%
These stocks attracted investors looking for income during uncertain times.
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### Bonds: Fed Rate Cuts Helped
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates twice in Q4—once in October and again in December—bringing the target range to 3.50%-3.75%. This helped bond prices go up since lower rates make existing bonds more attractive.
Bond performance highlights:
– U.S. Core Bond Index returned 0.97% for the quarter, up 7.12% for the year
– Treasury Bond Index gained 0.77% in Q4
– Mortgage-backed securities performed best with a return of 1.59%
– Municipal bonds rose 1.48%, and high-yield bonds added 1.40%
Short-term bond yields dropped while long-term yields held steady, steepening the yield curve—a sign that investors expect higher future growth or inflation.
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### Global Market Overview
U.S. markets underperformed compared to other countries:
– **Canada**: Stocks jumped 7.95%
– **UK**: Rose by 6.51%
– **China**: Fell sharply by 6.8%, reversing big gains from Q3
The global rally suggests investors were looking beyond U.S.-focused tech and finding value elsewhere.
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### Cryptocurrency Crash: Bitcoin Drops Hard
After a strong run earlier in the year, Bitcoin crashed in Q4, dropping over 23%. At one point, it was down more than 30% from its highs due to leveraged investors selling off in panic.
Bitcoin ended the year below $89,000 after peaking above $123,000 in October. Ethereum (ETH) also saw heavy losses.
This crypto “mini winter” was triggered by fears of regulation, profit-taking, and overleveraged positions.
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### Gold and Commodities: Safe Havens Shine
With crypto struggling and stock volatility rising, gold became a top pick for investors looking for safety:
– Gold prices soared over 12%, hitting record highs
– Copper jumped 17% as industrial demand grew
Meanwhile, crude oil prices fell as production ramped up in both the U.S. and OPEC+ countries, increasing supply and pushing prices down.
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### Volatility Snapshot
Volatility spiked in stock markets due to tech selloffs but dropped in bond markets as rate cuts brought more stability.
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### Looking Ahead
With the Fed expected to pause rate cuts early in 2026 and uncertainty around AI investments continuing, markets may remain bumpy in the near term. Investors are closely watching inflation trends, labor market data, and who will succeed Jerome Powell as Fed Chair—factors that could shape the next chapter for both stocks and bonds.
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**Key Takeaways for Investors:**
– Tech is no longer the only game in town—value and healthcare are rising.
– Bonds are back in favor thanks to rate cuts.
– Crypto saw a rough quarter—proceed with caution.
– Gold and dividend stocks remain attractive during uncertainty.
Stay diversified and keep an eye on economic signals as we head into 2026.
BitMEX Launches 24/7 Crypto-Collateralized Stock Trading
BitMEX is stepping outside the world of pure crypto by launching a new trading product called Equity Perps. These are 24/7 perpetual contracts that let users trade big-name US stocks and indices like Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, the S&P 500, and Nasdaq — all using crypto as collateral. This means you can gain exposure to traditional stock markets without needing to convert your crypto or wait for Wall Street’s opening hours.
Equity Perps work similarly to how perpetual swaps transformed crypto trading — they don’t expire, offer leverage, and use a funding rate system. Now, BitMEX is applying that same concept to stock trading, making it possible to trade equities anytime, anywhere.
This move is part of a growing trend where crypto exchanges are bringing stocks onchain. Bitget recently revealed that its tokenized stock trading volume passed $1 billion, with most of that happening in December. A major factor was the rising interest in gold and silver as traditional markets hit record highs.
Bitget’s CEO Gracy Chen noted that the surge in December matched growing excitement around AI and tech stocks, creating the perfect storm for active traders. At the same time, Kraken’s xStocks — tokenized versions of real-world equities — surpassed $10 billion in combined trading volume. Meanwhile, Coinbase is working to integrate stocks, prediction markets, and tokenized assets into its platform.
These developments all point to a bigger shift: traditional assets like stocks, ETFs, and commodities are starting to trade more like crypto — with higher liquidity and round-the-clock availability.
BitMEX aims to attract younger investors, especially Gen Z, who tend to prefer crypto and tech over traditional stock investments. CEO Stephan Lutz said many of these users want control over their own trades and the flexibility to trade anytime — not just during standard market hours. Equity Perps let them do exactly that while keeping their crypto holdings intact by using them as collateral.
The new contracts are offered through a Panamanian entity and include features like maker rebates (2.5 basis points), zero funding fees when prices are near fair value, and support for multiple collateral types including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), and stablecoins.
Despite the momentum, there are still regulatory concerns. In many countries, the rules around tokenized stocks and similar products are still unclear. Regulators in the US and Europe have raised questions about investor protection and how securities laws apply to these new tools.
Lutz emphasized that BitMEX wants to run a responsible business that follows all relevant laws. He also pointed out that their Equity Perps are cash-settled, avoiding some of the complications tied to directly owning tokenized shares.
Chen added that regulations vary widely by country and sees this as part of the natural growth process for an industry that’s evolving quickly. As more platforms bring traditional finance into the crypto space, products like Equity Perps could become a core part of the market rather than just a niche offering.