China’s Slowing Growth Contrasts with Industrial Output Records
China's Q4 GDP growth cooled to 4.5% YoY, down from 4.8% in Q3, as weak consumption and property sectors offset gains in high-tech manufacturing. Full-year 2025 growth met the 5% target, but December retail sales grew just 0.9%—underscoring persistent demand weakness.
Industrial metals and coal defied the slowdown: Aluminum production hit a record 45.02 million tons (+2.4% YoY), with December's 3.87 million tons marking the highest monthly output ever. Coal production reached 4.83 billion tons (+1.2%), aided by government mandates to prevent energy shortages.
For crypto markets, the mixed signals reinforce two narratives: Commodity-linked tokens like FIL (Filecoin) and energy-focused projects may benefit from China's industrial resilience, while sluggish consumption keeps pressure on consumer-facing blockchain adoption.
