Trump Media Shifts Bitcoin, Plans Crypto ETF & Merger
Trump Media and Technology Group made a surprising move with its Bitcoin holdings, just one day after boosting its crypto reserves.
On Wednesday, the company transferred 2,000 Bitcoin — worth around $174.76 million — which brought its total stash down to under 10,000 coins. This shift came right after a big purchase the day before, when blockchain analytics firm Arkham reported that Trump Media had acquired 451 Bitcoin.
That earlier buy pushed the company’s holdings up to 11,542 Bitcoin, valued at over $1 billion at the time. This temporarily made Trump Media the 11th-largest corporate holder of Bitcoin in the world, according to data from BitcoinTreasuriesNet.
So far, the company hasn’t explained why it moved the Bitcoin. It’s unclear whether it sold some of its coins or just moved them to another wallet. Either way, the market didn’t react much — Bitcoin’s price stayed mostly stable. At the time of the transfer, Bitcoin was trading at $86,828, down just 0.83% in 24 hours. It’s still about 31% below its all-time high of $126,080 from October 6, 2025.
This Bitcoin activity came during a big week for Trump Media’s stock (DJT), which jumped over 30% after announcing a major merger. The company is joining forces with TAE Technologies, a leader in nuclear fusion research. The deal is all-stock and values the combined business at more than $6 billion.
With this merger, Trump Media is shifting focus — moving beyond digital media into energy and advanced tech. The plan is to build powerful infrastructure for artificial intelligence operations, powered by clean fusion energy. This shows a long-term strategy to get involved in cutting-edge technologies.
At the same time, Trump Media is expanding its crypto plans. The company is working on launching a Truth Social-branded cryptocurrency ETF (exchange-traded fund). If approved by regulators, this fund would follow both Bitcoin and Ethereum. Crypto.com would handle custody and trades, while Yorkville America Digital would sponsor the ETF.
If successful, this move would give Trump Media a stronger position in the crypto world — not just as an investor in Bitcoin but also as a provider of investment products tied to digital assets.
Key terms: Trump Media, Bitcoin holdings, cryptocurrency ETF, Truth Social, DJT stock, TAE Technologies merger, nuclear fusion, digital assets, crypto market, blockchain investment.
Holiday Trading Slows Markets; Yen Gains, Oil Steady
**Market Summary: Light Holiday Trading, Japan Cuts Bond Issuance, Oil and Gold Steady**
**Global Markets Update – December 24**
Markets are quiet as the holiday season slows down activity across the globe. Here’s a breakdown of the latest movements in stocks, currencies, bonds, and commodities.
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**Equities: Low Activity Ahead of Holidays**
– European stock futures are closed for Christmas Eve.
– US stock futures are slightly down in thin trading.
– Asia-Pacific markets traded in narrow ranges with little conviction, as investors prepare for the year-end break.
– The ASX 200 slipped slightly due to weakness in tech and healthcare stocks.
– Japan’s Nikkei 225 held steady near the 50,500 level despite a stronger yen.
– Hong Kong and Chinese markets showed mixed moves amid low news flow and quiet trading.
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**Currencies: Yen Strengthens Slightly**
– The US Dollar Index (DXY) is flat, stuck in a tight range between 97.74 and 97.96.
– Most major currencies are stable against the dollar, except the Japanese yen, which is slightly stronger.
– The yen’s recent gains are likely tied to earlier comments from Japan’s Finance Minister about being ready to act in currency markets.
– USD/JPY is trading on the lower side of its recent range, between 155.57 and 156.28.
– South Korea’s government and pension fund are watching FX markets closely and preparing to hedge foreign exchange risks.
– Brazil’s central bank will auction USD 2 billion on December 26 with repurchase agreements.
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**Bonds: Japan to Cut Super-Long Bond Issuance**
– Japan plans to cut its issuance of super-long government bonds (JGBs) to around JPY 17 trillion next fiscal year.
– This move comes after the Prime Minister ruled out excessive borrowing or tax cuts.
– Japanese bonds initially softened overnight but recovered after the news, with March 2026 JGBs jumping to test the 133.00 level.
– US Treasuries are trading in a narrow band ahead of weekly jobless claims data and a 7-year bond auction later today.
– UK gilts moved slightly but with no major news driving the change.
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**Commodities: Oil, Gold, Copper Stay Strong**
– Crude oil prices are slightly higher as trading begins for Christmas Eve. WTI rose near $58.76/barrel and Brent reached $62.76/barrel.
– Gold briefly climbed above $4,500/oz in early Asia-Pacific trading before pulling back to around $4,471/oz as traders took profits.
– Copper continues its strong run, setting a new all-time high above $12.28k/ton. The red metal is heading for its best year since 2009.
– Naftogaz reported that Russia attacked Ukraine’s oil and gas infrastructure overnight.
– Shell’s Corunna site in Spain reported increased flaring due to a temporary process disruption.
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**US Economic Highlights**
– Weekly US jobless claims for the week ending December 20 are due today.
– US crude oil inventories rose by 2.4 million barrels last week, against expectations for a decline.
– Gasoline and distillate stockpiles also increased slightly.
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**Trade & Tariffs: Tensions Continue**
– China’s Commerce Ministry met with foreign trade companies to address global trade concerns.
– China criticized the US over chip-related tariffs and warned it may take countermeasures if the situation continues.
– Japan and the US agreed to speed up a major $550 billion investment plan.
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**Central Banks: BoJ Minutes Show Policy Patience**
– Bank of Japan meeting minutes from October suggest members are becoming more confident about future rate hikes but prefer to wait for more wage data before making a move.
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**Tech & Corporate Headlines**
– Italy’s competition regulator ordered Meta (Facebook) to stop restricting other AI chatbots on WhatsApp during an ongoing investigation into anti-competitive behavior.
– Snowflake is reportedly looking to acquire data monitoring company Observe for about $1 billion.
– Apple’s CEO has reportedly purchased $3 million worth of Nike stock.
– Lockheed Martin secured a $10 billion modification to an existing US Air Force contract.
– Boeing also received a $2 billion contract from the US Air Force.
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**Geopolitical News**
*Russia-Ukraine Conflict*
– Russia reportedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight.
– Ukrainian President Zelensky said peace talks with Russia are progressing, though disagreements remain over territory. A draft plan includes potential demilitarized zones and ceasefire lines.
– A Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at an industrial site in Russia’s Tula region.
*Middle East*
– Russian President Putin condemned Israeli actions in Syria during recent strikes.
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**Cryptocurrency Update**
– Bitcoin is hovering near $87,000 while Ethereum trades just below $2,900.
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**Asia-Pacific Headlines**
– A magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit Taipei, according to local reports. No major damage has been reported so far.
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**Reminder**
Markets will remain quiet over the Christmas period. The Newsquawk team will resume full coverage on Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 07:00 GMT / 02:00 EST.
Ethereum, DOGE, XRP Test Key Levels Amid Market Lull
As the year wraps up, the crypto market continues to move sideways, showing signs of consolidation rather than strong trends. Over the past month, the total market value has stayed within a tight 10% range. Bitcoin has barely moved, gaining just 2%, while Ethereum has managed a 6% increase but remains stuck in a downward price channel. Among major altcoins, XRP and Dogecoin (DOGE) are sitting on key support zones amid low trading volume, each falling around 7-8% over the last 30 days.
**Ethereum Nears Key Resistance Zone — Can It Reverse the Downtrend?**
Ethereum (ETH) is currently moving within a clear falling channel. After enjoying an uptrend over the summer, it has faced steady selling pressure pushing it lower. Recent attempts to break above short-term moving averages (like the 8-day and 21-day EMAs) have failed to sustain any real momentum.
Key levels to watch:
– **Resistance:** $3,080 (aligned with the 0.50 Fibonacci level), $3,370–$3,480 (3-month EMA and Fib 0.382), and $3,968 (Fib 0.236).
– **Support:** $2,980 (short-term EMA), $2,680 (middle of the channel and Fib 0.618), and $2,115 (Fib 0.786).
If ETH manages to close above $3,080 on the daily chart, it could spark a rally toward $4,000. But if it gets rejected again near the top of the falling channel, prices might slide down to $2,680 or even $2,100 in a deeper pullback.
**Dogecoin Eyes a Bounce from $0.11 Support**
Dogecoin (DOGE) recently broke below a long-standing uptrend line on its weekly chart. Since then, it’s been trending downward and is now approaching a critical support zone around $0.11, which lines up with the 1.272 Fibonacci extension.
The Stochastic RSI shows DOGE is in oversold territory — a possible sign that a rebound could be on the way. If DOGE holds above $0.11 and starts recovering, it might target $0.15 next. A move past $0.15 could push DOGE higher toward the $0.18–$0.20 range.
However, if DOGE fails to hold the $0.11 level, selling pressure may intensify, and prices could drop below $0.10. Weekly closes above $0.1137 are crucial for any potential recovery or trend reversal.
**XRP Fighting to Stay Above Key Weekly Support**
XRP is still under pressure on the weekly chart, sitting below both its downtrend line and key moving averages (8- and 21-week EMAs). Right now, it’s testing a major support level around $1.95 — a zone that has held up for most of the year and aligns with both the 89-week EMA and the 0.50 Fibonacci level.
If XRP stays above this level, it could trigger renewed buying interest and push toward $2.30 or even $2.70 over time. But if XRP breaks below this crucial support, the next likely stop is around $1.60 (Fib 0.618), which could lead to further losses.
**Summary for Traders and Investors:**
– Ethereum needs to break above $3,080 to show real strength; otherwise, downside targets include $2,680 and $2,115.
– Dogecoin may bounce from the oversold zone at $0.11 but needs to hold above it to avoid dropping under $0.10.
– XRP must defend the $1.95 support area to avoid slipping toward $1.60.
These levels are important for anyone watching crypto prices in the short to medium term. Momentum indicators suggest possible rebounds — but without strong breakouts or volume, caution remains key.
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HashKey Capital Raises $250M for New Blockchain Fund
HashKey Capital, a global investment firm specializing in crypto and blockchain, has successfully closed the first phase of its newest fund, HashKey Fintech Multi-Strategy Fund IV, raising $250 million. This early fundraising round surpassed expectations and saw strong interest from global institutional investors. The firm aims to double that amount, targeting a final fund size of $500 million.
This fourth fund is managed by HashKey Capital Investment, a division of the larger HashKey Group. Investors include a mix of institutions, wealthy individuals, and family offices. Their continued interest shows that demand for smart investments in digital assets remains strong, even with uncertain economic and market conditions.
HashKey Capital has a solid track record. Their very first fund returned more than 10 times the money put in, proving their ability to pick high-potential blockchain projects. With Fund IV, the company plans to invest in a variety of strategies to support the growth of digital assets. Key focus areas include blockchain infrastructure, scalability solutions, and technologies that can help bring blockchain to mainstream users.
This new fund will blend investments in public markets—such as listed cryptocurrencies—with private deals in emerging tech startups. It will also look for crossover opportunities that offer both liquidity and long-term growth. The goal is to take advantage of inefficiencies in the digital asset space while managing risks wisely.
By combining short-term liquidity strategies with long-term investments in promising blockchain platforms and tools, HashKey hopes to stay flexible through market ups and downs. At the same time, it wants to back projects that are positioned to benefit from long-term trends in fintech and blockchain innovation.
Since its founding in 2018, HashKey Capital has become a major player in global crypto investing. The firm now manages over $1 billion in assets and has invested in more than 400 blockchain-related projects worldwide. Notably, HashKey was one of the early institutional investors in Ethereum and maintains offices across Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan.
In addition to investing, HashKey has been involved in developing regulated digital asset products. For example, it helped launch Hong Kong’s first spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are now listed on the city’s stock exchange.
HashKey Capital CEO Deng Chao said the new fund will help the company tap into fast-growing markets where blockchain applications are being tested and scaled. Dr. Xiao Feng, founder of HashKey Group, added that the merging of AI, blockchain, and institutional finance is creating exciting new investment opportunities. Fund IV aims to back projects with both strong technology and clear business potential.
Ultimately, Fund IV is designed to give investors professional-grade access to different layers of the blockchain ecosystem—ranging from infrastructure and developer tools to real-world applications—focusing on those with potential for widespread adoption.
Gen Z Open to Crypto Gifts, But Prefer Stability
Even with all the ups and downs in the crypto market lately, many young people are still open to getting digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum as holiday gifts.
Take Wyatt Johnson, a 22-year-old from Wisconsin. Back in 2021, he jumped on the crypto hype train and invested $5,000 in Solana. But within a few months, his investment dropped by half. Since then, he hasn’t put more money into crypto, but he still keeps an eye on the market. And while he’s not ready to invest again just yet, he wouldn’t mind receiving some cryptocurrency as a gift during the holidays.
“Younger generations like mine are seeing money and finance change in real time,” he said. “It’s important for us to stay informed.”
To some people, getting crypto as a gift feels like receiving a lottery ticket—exciting but risky. For others, it’s like a digital gift card with long-term potential. Even though crypto is still volatile, many Gen Zers are open to it—especially if they’re already familiar with investing.
However, this doesn’t mean crypto tops everyone’s wish list. Young adults in their 20s, especially those with some investment experience, are usually cautious. They’re more likely to want help with rent, savings contributions, or investments in more stable assets like stocks or real estate. Wyatt, for example, says he’d rather get support for his AI startup or property investments than more crypto.
On the other hand, younger Gen Zers and teens who are newer to investing tend to be more excited about getting cryptocurrency. According to a recent Visa survey, around 45% of Gen Z would be happy to receive crypto as a holiday present.
Experts say this generation doesn’t fear market swings as much as older generations do. Instead, they’re more afraid of being left behind or stuck financially. Traditional ways of building wealth, like buying a house, feel out of reach for many. Crypto seems more accessible and modern.
Social media has also played a big role in shaping how Gen Z views digital assets. Growing up around Bitcoin and Ethereum trends online made crypto feel normal—even its wild price swings. For many young investors, cryptocurrency is often their first step into the world of investing. Studies show that nearly 20% of Gen Z investors hold only digital assets like crypto or NFTs.
Still, all this interest comes at a tricky time for the crypto world.
Just last year, Bitcoin soared past $100,000. With supportive political changes and market buzz, some believed it could hit $250,000 by year’s end. But those predictions didn’t pan out. After peaking at $126,000 in October, Bitcoin dropped to about $81,000 by late November—a 35% dip that wiped out most of its gains for the year. It has since rebounded to around $95,000 as of early December.
Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum have seen similar drops—Ether has fallen nearly 40% since August.
This kind of volatility isn’t just a crypto issue—it reflects broader economic uncertainty. With rising interest rates, inflation concerns, and fewer job opportunities for young people, many Gen Zers are looking for safer investments that won’t lose value overnight.
Still, some see opportunity in the downturn. According to Bankrate financial analyst Stephen Kates, many young people are buying crypto now while prices are low. But experts continue to warn: cryptocurrency is risky and should only make up a small part of your total investments.
Russell Kai, a 22-year-old finance student in Vancouver, agrees. He started investing two years ago after a friend encouraged him to buy his first stock. Since then, he’s focused on stable investments backed by the government or traditional markets—not trendy digital coins. If someone gave him crypto as a gift today? He’d probably cash it out and reinvest the money into stocks he follows closely.
Clay Lute, a 24-year-old fashion merchant from Queens, feels similarly. He thinks Bitcoin will bounce back and grow in value over time. But he doesn’t believe most cryptocurrencies will survive long-term.
“If I could choose my holiday gift,” Lute said, “I’d rather have someone contribute to my Roth IRA than take a gamble on crypto.”
In short: Gen Z is curious about crypto and willing to accept it as a gift—but many would prefer more stable financial support during uncertain times.