Google Trends data shows global searches for "crypto" slipping to 26, just above the yearly low of 24, while the U.S. reading fell to 26, a one-year trough. An April sell-off and an October flash crash coincided with waning retail interest; the Fear and Greed Index hit 10 in November and has recovered to 28.

On December 28, 2025, Robinhood's 'Hood Holidays' campaign awarded $750,000 in Bitcoin on its second day, after offering $500,000 in Dogecoin and luxury physical prizes on day one. Some users reported app crashes and error messages during the narrow claim window, while Robinhood's HOOD shares closed at $118.13, down 1.92% on the day and 6.05% over the past month, despite mixed analyst views on its outlook.

Donald Trump reiterated that his tariff policies have increased US wealth, strengthened security, and supported economic growth. At the same time, Polymarket forecasts indicate just a 14% chance of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in January, with traders largely expecting rates to remain unchanged. Analysts note that persistent inflation worries, legal disputes over tariff authority, and broader market uncertainty continue to weigh on sentiment.

In 2025, gold and silver together increased their market capitalization by $16 trillion, with both metals far outperforming major equity benchmarks. Gold has risen about four times as much as the S&P 500, while silver has gained roughly eight times more and surged 175% for the year. Silver prices in Shanghai have climbed to $85 per ounce, outpacing US spot prices ahead of new Chinese export controls set for 2026. Over the same period, Bitcoin has dropped 6% after previously being up 40% earlier in the year.

Global and US Google searches for the term "crypto" have fallen to their lowest levels in a year toward the end of 2025, signaling fading engagement from retail investors. The downturn follows major market shocks, including an April crash linked to tariff policy and an October event that triggered nearly $20 billion in liquidations and drove some altcoins down by as much as 99%. Bitcoin has since been trading between $80,000 and $90,000 amid "extreme fear" readings on sentiment gauges, even as some analysts still project prices above $150,000 in 2026.

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis has endorsed Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller's October proposal to grant crypto and fintech firms access to restricted "skinny" master accounts at the Fed. She argues the framework would effectively halt Operation Chokepoint 2.0-style debanking, even as some industry participants continue to report account closures and freezes by major banks.

On December 27, China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee approved a revision of the Foreign Trade Law, which will take effect on March 1, 2026. The overhaul spans eleven chapters and eighty-three articles, strengthening tools for sovereignty, security, digital and green trade, and dispute countermeasures, as industrial profits fell 13.1% in November after a 5.5% October decline.

Bit.com said it will begin winding down operations on December 27, 2025, and complete its User Asset Migration Plan to Matrixport by March 31, 2026. Under the plan, new registrations halt immediately and spot trading will end by late January 2026.