Bitcoin’s Resilience Contrasts with Trump-Linked Crypto Underperformance

While the broader cryptocurrency market has experienced a significant rally, investments tied to former President Donald Trump and his family have notably underperformed, particularly within the crypto sector. This divergence highlights a growing separation between the foundational strength of major digital assets like Bitcoin and the speculative volatility surrounding politically-branded tokens. The downturn in Trump-associated assets—including meme coins, specific tokens, and shares in linked Bitcoin mining operations—marks a sharp reversal from their earlier surges, which were often driven by political news cycles rather than fundamental value. As of December 2025, this trend underscores a critical lesson for investors: sustainable growth in the digital finance sector is increasingly driven by technological utility, institutional adoption, and macroeconomic factors, not transient political affiliations. The underperformance of assets like 'American Bitcoin (ABTC)', linked to Eric Trump, serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing that the long-term bullish thesis for cryptocurrencies remains anchored in their underlying protocols and real-world adoption, not celebrity or political endorsements.

Trump-Linked Crypto Assets Underperform Amid Market Rally

Investments tied to former President Donald Trump and his family have seen significant declines in recent months, particularly within the crypto sector. This downturn contrasts sharply with earlier surges following Trump's political activities. The underperformance is most evident in meme coins, tokens, and shares of Bitcoin mining operations associated with the Trump brand.

American bitcoin (ABTC), linked to Eric Trump, plummeted as much as 50% in early trading this week, closing at its lowest level since May. The broader crypto market, however, rallied—with bitcoin surpassing $93,000 and mining stocks like Strategy (MSTR) gaining nearly 4%.

Once a catalyst for speculative spikes, the Trump name now carries diminished weight in digital asset markets. The divergence highlights how political affiliations can create volatile asymmetries in crypto valuations.

Bitcoin ETF Euphoria Fuels Rally as Institutional Demand Surges

Bitcoin's price surged from $84K to $93K this week, marking a 7% gain amid heavy institutional inflows. The cryptocurrency now trades just 26% below its all-time high of $126K reached last month. Analysts see a clear path toward $120K if current ETF inflows sustain.

MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor continues accumulating BTC despite the recent pullback, while BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes predicts $200K by year-end. This bullish sentiment echoes Bitcoin's historical performance - a $1 investment at launch WOULD now be worth $1.8 million.

Financial heavyweights including Mastercard and JPMorgan are quietly building Bitcoin positions, with spot BTC ETFs absorbing $58.5 million daily. The Layer-2 protocol Bitcoin Hyper emerges as a secondary beneficiary of this liquidity surge.

Russia Proposes Treating Crypto Mining as 'Hidden Export' to Capture Billions in Off-Books Revenue

Senior Kremlin official Maxim Oreshkin has called for cryptocurrency mining to be classified as a FORM of export in Russia's official trade accounts. Speaking at the Russia Calling! investment forum, Oreshkin argued that the industry generates "enormous sums" through Bitcoin production that currently escape formal economic tracking, yet significantly impact foreign-exchange markets and balance of payments.

Industry estimates suggest Russia produces tens of thousands of Bitcoins annually, translating to roughly 1 billion rubles in daily revenue. The MOVE follows Russia's November 2024 legalization of crypto mining, which Oreshkin described as a "new export item" the country fails to properly value. New tax rules now impose up to 25% corporate levies on mining income.

The proposal reflects growing institutional recognition of cryptocurrency's role in cross-border capital flows. Oleg Ogienko of Via Numeri Group confirms the sector's material scale, with proof-of-work asset production reaching industrial levels. The initiative could reshape how nations account for digital asset economies in an increasingly borderless financial landscape.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Bitcoin ETF Accumulation Strategy Yields 10% Returns

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has been systematically accumulating shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) since January 2025, capitalizing on BTC price declines. Her transactions—ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 per purchase—total between $21,000 and $140,000 year-to-date. The most recent buy occurred on November 21 with Bitcoin at $85,000; the asset now trades near $93,250, delivering a 10% return in two weeks.

IBIT mirrors the gains: Greene’s November entry at $47.97 per share has appreciated to $52.74. Her disciplined dip-buying approach turned $99 into $1,485—a testament to volatility harvesting. 'I don’t day-trade Bitcoin,' Greene emphasized, underscoring her long-term accumulation stance.

Notable 2025 purchases include a $15,000-$50,000 buy on March 3 and four sub-$15,000 acquisitions between September and October. The moves coincide with institutional adoption momentum, as spot Bitcoin ETFs now hold over $50 billion in assets globally.

Washington Regulators Order Bitcoin ATM Operator Coinme to Repay $8M and Halt Operations

Washington state's Department of Financial Institutions has issued a Temporary Cease and Desist Order against Bitcoin ATM giant Coinme, demanding the company halt all money transmission services and repay over $8 million to customers. The December 1, 2025 order alleges the Seattle-based firm illegally converted unredeemed customer funds into corporate revenue.

Investigators found Coinme required customers to purchase paper vouchers at kiosks for later online redemption. When vouchers went unredeemed within a specified period, the company allegedly claimed the outstanding balances as income - a violation of state money transmission laws. "Washington's money transmission laws exist to protect consumers that rely on licensed companies to safely transmit funds," said DFI Director Charlie Clark.

Coinme now faces potential revocation of its state money transmitter license, a $300,000 fine, and possible 10-year industry bans for both the company and CEO Neil Bergquist. The regulator also charged Coinme with failing to maintain required net worth, submitting inaccurate reports, and inadequate disclosure of redemption timeframes from 2020-2025.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Labels Bitcoin as 'An Asset of Fear' Amid Market Volatility

BlackRock chairman and CEO Larry Fink has characterized Bitcoin's recent price swings as evidence of its fundamental nature—not as a growth asset, but as "an asset of fear." Speaking at the New York Times' DealBook "Crypto and Capital" event, Fink contrasted BlackRock's long-term investment strategies with the motivations behind Bitcoin demand. "The $13.5 trillion that BlackRock manages is essentially managing hope," he said. "Bitcoin, on the other hand, is owned out of fear—fear of physical and financial insecurity, and the debasement of traditional assets."

Fink's remarks followed Bitcoin's sharp decline from an all-time high above $125,000 in early October 2025 to briefly dipping below $90,000 in mid-November. The volatility underscores the divergent views on Bitcoin's role in global finance, with institutional giants like BlackRock weighing in on its psychological and economic implications.