Market Signal Briefing

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in IYRI over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

HomeMarket OutlookToday's Market

SummaryThe S&P 500 (SPY) is forecast to reach 7900 by end-2026, reflecting ongoing AI-driven investment and supportive fiscal and monetary policy.While echoes of the 1999 tech bubble are present, mega caps’ strong cash flows and steady earnings growth differentiate this cycle from the late 1990s.Fed policy is now accommodative, with disinflation and upgraded GDP forecasts supporting continued market strength outside tech.Risks include a premature AI bubble burst, but if that occurs, Value and Small Cap stocks may outperform in 2026. Getty Images

How Did We Do? It's that time of year again where you will see a lot of 2026 prediction articles on Seeking Alpha and other financial media with year-end targets for the S&P 500 (SPY) (

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of IVW either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Gary Kent Wunderlich, a member of the Navitas Board of Directors, sold 128,300 shares for a transaction value of $1,189,754.06 across two sessions in December 2025. The sale represented 8.68% of Mr.

HomeEarnings AnalysisIndustrial 

SummaryElectrovaya enters a new era of profitability, posting strong Q4 and full-year results with robust margin expansion and earnings growth.ELVA's Infinity Battery Technology Platform delivers industry-leading longevity and safety, targeting electric forklifts, robotics, and airport ground equipment—diversifying beyond volatile EV markets.Customer concentration remains high, with two Fortune 500 clients accounting for 83% of revenue, but rising order flow signals deepening relationships and product validation.Management expects continued profitability and margin strength into 2026, driven by scaling production, cost control, and expansion into defense and new industrial verticals. Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images

The Era of Profits Begins Profits are here for Electrovaya (ELVA) (ELVA:CA) and, as we said a few months ago, they never lie, suggesting that a new upside trajectory may

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in ELVA over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of PATH either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

MAHIA, New Zealand, Dec. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its first dedicated mission for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) – a pivotal marker of Electron’s global importance for regular, reliable, and dedicated access to space.

The “RAISE And Shine” mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on December 14, 2025 at 03:09 UTC / 16:09 NZDT to successfully deploy the agency’s RApid Innovative payload demonstration SatellitE-4 (RAISE-4) spacecraft: a demonstration of eight technologies developed by private companies, universities, and research institutions throughout Japan. The mission was the first of two dedicated missions for JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program, an initiative by the agency to demonstrate new and innovative capabilities and technologies developed by Japan’s space economy.

Rocket Lab’s successful launch for JAXA reflects the growing integration of commercial companies into national space programs both domestically and internationally. As the established small launch leader in the United States, Electron is also the preferred choice for reliable small launch globally, with its second upcoming mission for JAXA scheduled for launch in Q1 2026. A dedicated Electron launch for the European Space Agency (ESA) is also planned for launch in the new year, further highlighting Electron’s international demand.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, said: “This dedicated mission delivered precision and reliability for one of the world’s most respected space agencies, and we couldn’t be prouder of supporting JAXA with the dedicated access to space needed to support the growth of Japan’s aerospace economy. We’re proud to continue delivering the responsiveness and performance that Japan’s satellite operators have come to rely on.”

“RAISE And Shine” was Rocket Lab’s 19th launch of the year: an extension of the Company’s new Electron annual launch record established just last month with two back-to-back missions launched in 48 hours. Rocket Lab’s next launch of 2025 is scheduled to take place from Launch Complex 2 this month and will be announced in the coming days.

“RAISE And Shine” launch images: Flight 77 | RAISE & Shine | Flickr

“RAISE And Shine” launch webcast: Rocket Lab - 'RAISE and Shine' Launch for JAXA - YouTube

Rocket Lab Media Contact 
Murielle Baker
[email protected]

About Rocket Lab
About Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is a leading space company that provides launch services, spacecraft, payloads and satellite components serving commercial, government, and national security markets. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is the world’s most frequently launched orbital small rocket; its HASTE rocket provides hypersonic test launch capability for the U.S. government and allied nations; and its Neutron launch vehicle in development will unlock medium launch for constellation deployment, national security and exploration missions. Rocket Lab’s spacecraft and satellite components have enabled more than 1,700 missions spanning commercial, defense and national security missions including GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. Rocket Lab is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq stock exchange (RKLB). Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at  https://investors.rocketlabcorp.com which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AVGO, NVDA, AMD, TSMC either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasTech 

SummaryNebius has secured hyperscaler-scale contracts, institutional funding, and multi-year demand visibility, positioning it structurally ahead of most neocloud competitors.NBIS trades near $87, below the $92.50 equity raise, with technical, behavioral, and options-related barriers capping upside near $100.September 2025 financing raised $4.2 billion, including $2.75 billion convertibles at $138–140, creating a psychological and mechanical dilution overhang.Q3 2025 GAAP net loss reached $119.6 million, with $432.4 million operating cash burn year-to-date amid aggressive infrastructure buildout.Institutional ownership remains near 48% with 105.6 million shares held, while analysts maintain a $151 average target, implying ~73% upside. Jian Fan/iStock via Getty Images

Investment Thesis Nebius Group (NBIS) has already crossed a threshold that most AI infrastructure startups never reach. It has secured hyperscaler-scale contracts, raised capital at institutional depth, and locked in multi-year demand visibility, placing it structurally ahead

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NBIS either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Without ASML, there would be no ChatGPT, no new iPhone models and no cutting edge AI innovation. The chipmaking machines ASML produces are so indispensable to the world's tech ecosystem, it's now Europe's most valuable company.

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Bitcoin has been the undisputed dominant force in the financial world. In a swift change of financial gravity, the spotlight has shifted from the decentralized digital asset to the US government treasury. As liquidity becomes the defining force behind every major market move, the Treasury General Account (TGA) has emerged as the true engine capable of driving risk assets.

Why Bitcoin’s Cycles Matter Less When Federal Cash Levels Shift
The most important chart for 2026 isn’t Bitcoin, it’s the US Treasury’s checking account. Crypto analyst Kyle Chassé has noted that the reason crypto has stalled is because of the government’s liquidity plumbing. Meanwhile, the TGA has just surged to $1 trillion, creating a massive liquidity vacuum in the cycle. When the treasury replenishes its funds, it drains dollars from the broader financial system.

However, to avoid a recession heading into 2026, the government must drain the account back down. Draining the TGA means pushing $150 billion to $200 billion back into the banking system. In addition, the Quantitative Tightening (QT) has officially ceased, meaning the government is done draining liquidity, and asset prices track liquidity.

Analyst Theunipcs revealed that the third rate cut of 2025 has been released, bringing the target range to its lowest level in nearly three years. The Fed also announced a new liquidity injection of roughly $40 billion per month in Treasury bill purchases. This policy pivot is happening immediately after BTC bounced from a 35% correction, which is the deepest pullback BTC has seen so far in this cycle.

At the same time, the most conservative trillion-dollar asset managers like Vanguard and Charles Schwab are pushing crypto products to their tens of millions of users for the first time. This isn’t the time to be bearish, but to be buying the dips aggressively.

Weekly Support Holds As Bitcoin Searches For A Relative Trend Reversal
A full-time crypto trader and investor, Daan Crypto Trades, highlighted that Bitcoin is currently trading only about 18% above its 2021 highs compared to the NASDAQ. Currently, the BTC/NASDAQ ratio is testing the Weekly Exponential Moving Average (EMA), a level that is providing support. Initially, BTC saw a clear breakout in this ratio during 2024 and early 2025,  but since then, momentum has stalled as stocks continued to grind higher, fueled by the AI tech rally.

According to the expert, the tech stock momentum is starting to cool, at least temporarily, and will watch if this ratio moves back in favor of BTC again for a while. Due to the rotation signal, BTC is already showing signs that the index, like the Russell 2000 (Small Caps), is starting to outperform, as the tech stocks are cooling off a bit.

BTC trading at $90,357 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

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Godspower Owie is my name, and I work for the news platforms NewsBTC and Bitcoinist. I sometimes like to think of myself as an explorer since I enjoy exploring new places, learning new things, especially valuable ones, and meeting new people who have an impact on my life, no matter how small. I value my family, friends, career, and time. Really, those are most likely the most significant aspects of every person's existence. Not illusions, but dreams are what I pursue.

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Key Points:

MicroStrategy maintains a strong position in Nasdaq 100 despite Bitcoin strategy scrutiny.Market analysts view this as an indicator of Bitcoin’s corporate entrenchment.Bitcoin’s market volatility is a concern for traditional financial sectors.
MicroStrategy will remain in the Nasdaq 100 index following the annual adjustment, effective December 22, as announced by Nasdaq on December 12, 2025.

This retention reaffirms MicroStrategy’s commitment to its Bitcoin-focused strategy despite facing criticism, influencing BTC market sentiment due to its substantial holdings.

Market Reactions and Future Implications for BTC Strategy
MicroStrategy, famous for its strategic pivot to Bitcoin in 2020, was re-confirmed as part of the Nasdaq 100 index. Under Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, the company holds 660,624 Bitcoins, reflecting a strategic focus shift from software solutions.

In terms of immediate implications, the firm continues to challenge standard business norms, emphasizing Bitcoin as its principal treasury asset amid ongoing critics from financial sectors. The retention in the index underscores investment community interest, despite the volatility concerns.

In response to this retention, Michael Saylor remarked that BTC accumulation will proceed until critical voices subside. Market analysts view this continued index presence as indicative of Bitcoin’s entrenchment in corporate strategies, persuading skeptics of Bitcoin’s viability.

Historical Context, Price Data, and Expert Analysis
Did you know? MicroStrategy’s inclusion in Nasdaq 100 last December was a pivotal moment showcasing institutional validation of cryptocurrency strategies despite traditional financial criticisms.

According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin’s current price is $90,329.66 with a market cap of $1.80 trillion and a 24-hour trading volume dropping by 20.56% to $63.79 billion. Recent months see BTC prices down by 9.34% over 30 days, marking volatile market dynamics.

Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 00:32 UTC on December 14, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

Insights from the Coincu research team suggest that MicroStrategy’s steadfast commitment to BTC might encourage more traditional companies to consider cryptocurrency investments. Regulatory developments also play a role, with scrutiny levels potentially affecting institutional confidence in the current BTC-focused strategy.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.

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The Zcash price has seen a sharp run this cycle, up over 700% in three months, followed by a healthy pause. After rallying strongly through the last week, the price is now pulling back, raising questions about whether momentum is fading or simply resetting.

While short-term price action looks undecided, on-chain and volume data suggest buyers may still be quietly in control. The next move depends on whether Zcash can turn consolidation into continuation.

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Buyers Still Control Structure Despite Cooling VolumeZcash price is currently trading inside a tightening triangle pattern, which reflects short-term buyer and seller indecision rather than outright weakness. Importantly, the price continues to respect the rising trend line that has guided the uptrend this cycle. As long as that structure holds, the broader setup remains constructive.

Volume behavior adds key context. Using Wyckoff-style volume color analysis, blue bars indicate buyer-led activity, while yellow and red bars reflect increasing seller control.

Although buyer volume has cooled recently, blue bars are still dominant. A similar slowdown occurred after October 17, when buying pressure briefly weakened, before Zcash went on to rally by more than 300%.

Cooling volume alone did not end that trend. As long as the blue bars dominate, the rally is likely to remain strong, despite any pullbacks.

Zcash Buyers In Control: TradingViewWant more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Spot flow data reinforces this picture. Spot flows track whether coins are moving onto or off exchanges.

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Inflows suggest potential selling, while outflows signal accumulation. On December 12, Zcash recorded roughly $14.26 million in spot inflows, meaning coins moved onto exchanges.

By December 13, that flipped sharply to around $17.34 million in net outflows, showing coins being pulled off exchanges instead.

Sudden Surge In Sopt Buyers: CoinglassThat shift matters. Exchange outflows reduce immediate sell pressure and often reflect spot buyers stepping in during pullbacks rather than distributing into strength.

Despite a mild pullback of about 2.5% over the past 24 hours, Zcash remains up roughly 20% over the past week and more than 700% over the past three months. The trend has not broken. It is consolidating.

Zcash Price Levels That Define the Next MoveFor the bullish structure to continue, the Zcash price needs to break out of the triangle. The key level to watch is $511, a 24% move from current levels. A clean daily close above this level would confirm a bullish resolution and signal renewed buyer control.

If that breakout occurs, the first upside target sits near $549, followed by $733, which capped rallies earlier in the cycle. Higher resistance zones exist near $850 and $1,190, though reaching those would require sustained momentum and supportive broader market conditions.

Zcash Price Analysis: TradingViewDownside risk remains clearly defined. If the Zcash price loses $430, the triangle structure weakens. Strong support sits near $391, and a deeper breakdown could open the door to $301 if risk-off pressure spreads across the market.

On December 12, 2025, Ripple, Circle, and BitGo achieved a significant milestone by obtaining conditional approval for U.S. banking charters. This development marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the cryptocurrency sector, reflecting its growing legitimacy and integration into the traditional financial system. These approvals represent a critical juncture as they allow these companies to expand their offerings and reach a broader market, potentially reshaping the financial landscape.

Ripple, known for its cross-border payment solutions, Circle, a major player in stablecoin issuance, and BitGo, a prominent digital asset custody provider, have each received this provisional green light from U.S. regulators. The implications are vast, as it could enable these companies to offer a more comprehensive suite of financial services, including direct banking operations, under the regulatory oversight of the U.S. banking system. This move could lead to enhanced trust and utility of cryptocurrencies and digital assets among consumers and institutional investors alike.

Historically, the U.S. banking system has been a cornerstone in the global financial landscape, and integrating crypto companies into this framework could herald a new era of financial innovation. The U.S. has been cautious in its approach to cryptocurrency regulation, balancing the need to protect consumers with fostering innovation. With these approvals, the U.S. seems to be opening its doors wider to digital finance, potentially serving as a model for other countries grappling with how to regulate the burgeoning crypto industry.

However, these conditional approvals come with specific regulatory requirements that Ripple, Circle, and BitGo must fulfill before they can operate fully as banks. This includes satisfying the capital requirements, compliance standards, and other obligations typically required of traditional financial institutions. The conditions ensure that these companies will operate with the same level of scrutiny and responsibility as any other bank, aligning the crypto industry closer to mainstream finance.

The U.S. banking charter is highly coveted as it affords companies the ability to operate nationally, bypassing the complex web of state-by-state financial regulations. For Ripple, this means a more streamlined approach to implementing its blockchain technology for international payments, potentially lowering costs and increasing efficiency for consumers. Circle, with its USDC stablecoin, could leverage this status to enhance its role in the digital payments ecosystem, offering a more stable and secure alternative to traditional fiat currencies. BitGo could expand its custody services, providing more robust protection and management of digital assets, a critical service as institutional interest in crypto continues to rise.

Despite these promising prospects, there are risks to consider. The integration of crypto companies into the banking system poses security concerns, as the digital nature of cryptocurrencies makes them susceptible to cyber threats. Additionally, the volatility inherent in cryptocurrencies could pose financial stability risks, especially if these companies become deeply embedded within the broader financial system. Furthermore, the regulatory landscape is still evolving, and future changes could impact how these companies operate.

The approval of these banking charters is not just a victory for the individual companies but also a broader endorsement of the potential that digital currencies hold. As of now, traditional banks have been cautiously exploring the digital asset space, often through partnerships or limited service offerings. The entry of established crypto companies into the banking sector could catalyze more profound changes, encouraging traditional banks to accelerate their adoption of blockchain technologies and integrate digital assets into their portfolios.

Globally, there has been a growing trend of countries and financial institutions exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and other blockchain-based financial solutions. The U.S. has been relatively slow in this area compared to countries like China, which has aggressively pursued the digital yuan. The success of Ripple, Circle, and BitGo in securing these charters could spur the U.S. to increase its efforts in developing a national digital currency strategy.

While this move is a step forward, it also serves as a reminder that the regulatory journey for crypto is far from over. The path to full integration into the financial system involves navigating complex regulatory landscapes and addressing the technological challenges inherent in blockchain and digital assets. As these companies work to meet their regulatory obligations, they will need to maintain a delicate balance between innovation and compliance.

As the industry progresses, continuous dialogue between regulators and crypto companies will be crucial. Establishing clear regulatory frameworks that protect consumers without stifling innovation is a challenging but necessary task. The success of this integration will rely heavily on regulators’ ability to adapt and crypto companies’ commitment to transparency and security.

In conclusion, the conditional approval of U.S. banking charters for Ripple, Circle, and BitGo is a landmark moment for the cryptocurrency industry, opening new avenues for growth and integration. With careful planning and adherence to regulatory standards, these companies are poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of both the crypto and traditional financial sectors. However, the journey will require vigilance and adaptability to mitigate risks and ensure a stable and secure financial ecosystem. As the world watches, this development sets the stage for what could be the next great transformation in global finance.

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On December 12, Ethereum-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) witnessed net outflows totaling $19.41 million, coinciding with Ethereum’s struggle to move past the $3,000 price mark. BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF, labeled ETHA, saw inflows of $23.25 million, while funds managed by Grayscale experienced combined withdrawals amounting to $36.52 million. These diverse movements within the ETF sector highlight a mix of investor confidence and caution amidst a fluctuating crypto landscape.

This ETF activity occurs amid a broader market uncertainty. Ethereum, a prominent player in the cryptocurrency sector known for its smart contract capabilities, has seen its market dynamics increasingly influenced by the introduction and performance of financial products like ETFs. Over the past decade, Ethereum has solidified its status not just as a cryptocurrency but as a vital infrastructure for decentralized applications, impacting sectors from finance to supply chain management. Despite its crucial role, Ethereum’s price still exhibits significant volatility, influenced by investor sentiment and regulatory developments.

The outflows from Grayscale’s ETFs, one of the largest managers of digital currency assets, suggest caution among investors, perhaps driven by profit-taking or reallocations. In contrast, BlackRock’s inflows indicate an ongoing belief in Ethereum’s potential, as some investors seek exposure through regulated financial products. The disparity in these ETF movements underscores the complex sentiment surrounding Ethereum.

In recent years, the crypto industry has witnessed a substantial increase in interest from institutional investors, eager to capitalize on the high returns often associated with digital assets. However, this influx of institutional money brings a double-edged sword. While it provides legitimacy and stability to a certain extent, it also introduces traditional market behaviors such as profit cycles and risk aversion, which can lead to significant inflows and outflows, impacting asset prices.

Ethereum’s current price stagnation near the $3,000 level can be attributed to multiple factors beyond ETF flows. Macroeconomic conditions, such as interest rate policies and global financial stability, play a significant role in shaping investor behavior. Additionally, regulatory developments continue to influence market confidence. Governments around the world are grappling with how to regulate cryptocurrencies, balancing innovation with risk management. In the United States, regulatory clarity remains a work in progress, with recent legislative efforts aiming to establish a framework that could significantly impact market dynamics.

The development of Ethereum 2.0, aimed at improving scalability and reducing energy consumption through a shift from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, is another critical factor under scrutiny. While this upgrade promises significant improvements for the Ethereum network, its full implementation and the transition process present challenges that investors are closely monitoring. Network upgrades and their successful deployment can affect the confidence in Ethereum’s future, influencing investment decisions.

Moreover, the competition Ethereum faces from other blockchain networks should not be underestimated. Rivals like Solana, Cardano, and Polkadot are vying for dominance with their own innovations and have gained traction due to their unique features and efficiencies. These competitors have been successfully attracting developers and projects, which could shift the balance of power within the crypto ecosystem, affecting Ethereum’s market position.

However, the potential for Ethereum remains robust due to its extensive existing infrastructure and developer community. The network’s widespread adoption in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) highlights its versatility and entrenched role in digital innovation. Despite the current challenges and competition, Ethereum’s foundational strengths offer a compelling argument for its long-term viability.

One risk associated with Ethereum’s ETF market is the potential for heightened volatility. ETFs, by virtue of being easily tradable and accessible, can exacerbate swings in asset prices as they provide a conduit for rapid entry and exit from the market. This liquidity, while beneficial, can also lead to price distortions, particularly in times of market stress. Therefore, investors must weigh the benefits of liquidity against the risk of volatility.

In addition to financial factors, ethical considerations are emerging in discussions about Ethereum’s future. The shift to Ethereum 2.0 with the proof-of-stake model aims to address environmental concerns associated with high energy consumption in proof-of-work systems. While this transition is a positive step, it raises questions about the centralization of control among those with significant holdings, which could affect the decentralized ethos that originally defined Ethereum.

The road ahead for Ethereum involves navigating these financial, technical, and ethical challenges. Investors and stakeholders must stay informed and adaptable as the landscape evolves. As regulatory environments mature and the crypto market continues to integrate with traditional finance, Ethereum’s journey will be marked by both opportunities and obstacles.

In summary, the recent net outflows from Ethereum ETFs reflect a moment of reevaluation for investors amid broader market and regulatory contexts. While some funds are seeing inflows, others are experiencing significant withdrawals, pointing to a mixed sentiment landscape. Ethereum’s price stall at $3,000 serves as a reminder of the inherent volatility in the crypto market and the various factors influencing asset valuation. As the market matures and Ethereum continues to evolve, stakeholders will need to carefully navigate the ever-shifting terrain of digital finance.

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Amid a steady price rebound in the Bitcoin (BTC) market, popular market analyst with the X username KillaXBT is predicting another significant correction in the forthcoming days.

Bitcoin Historical Data Reveals Recurring Monthly 8% Price Decline
In an X post on December 12, KillaXBT outlines a cautious market insight that suggests Bitcoin is headed for a price pullback. According to the renowned analyst, the premier cryptocurrency has consistently recorded an 8% price decline after the 14th day of the last five months. KillaXBT describes this observation as the 14th Pivot, which now holds important implications for Bitcoin in the short term. Since hitting a price bottom of $80,000 in late November, BTC has formed an ascending channel, recording a steady series of higher lows and higher highs.

Source: @KillaXBT on X
However, KillaXBT’s projection is expected to break this channel, potentially halting the nascent uptrend. Going by the recurring price pattern, the analyst states Bitcoin investors should anticipate a minimum 5% price decline after the 14th of December, hinting at a potential retest of the 85,000-$86,000 price zone.

Given the asset’s broader bullish market structure, such a move may represent nothing more than a short-term pullback. However, the prolonged correction seen earlier in Q4 has already set a precedent, leaving room for another phase of deeper downside should momentum weaken.

BTC To Bottom Below $50,000? 
In another X post, KillaXBT shares more bearish projections of the Bitcoin market. This time, the seasoned analyst predicts the crypto market leader will hit a price bottom of $48,905 despite recent price gains. KillaXBT’s bottom target represents Bitcoin’s price as of the approval of the BlackRock IBIT ETF, alongside 11 other Bitcoin Spot ETFs in January 2024. This projection is likely due to the common rationale that the present bullish run has been heavily supported by institutional inflows.

Source: @KillaXBT on X
Notably, the Bitcoin Spot ETFs have been central to these institutional inflows, boasting total net assets of $119.18 billion. The BlackRock IBIT holds over half of this traction as the undisputed market leader with $71.03 billion in net assets and $62.68 billion in cumulative net inflows. 

If Bitcoin were to return to its pre-ETF approval price levels, it would imply an estimated 46% decline from current market prices. Such a move would likely signal a sharp reversal in institutional positioning, suggesting that sustained ETF outflows, rather than retail capitulation, could emerge as the primary catalyst for a renewed crypto winter.

At press time, Bitcoin continues to trade at $90,348, reflecting a 2.18% decline.

BTC trading at $90,373 on the daily chart | Source: BTCUSDT chart on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Pexels, chart from Tradingview

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Semilore Faleti works as a crypto-journalist at Bitconist, providing the latest updates on blockchain developments, crypto regulations, and the DeFi ecosystem. He is a strong crypto enthusiast passionate about covering the growing footprint of blockchain technology in the financial world.

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TLDRNasdaq 100 Index Adjustments and Market MovementsMSCI Review and Strategy’s Capital StrengthGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks

Strategy keeps its Nasdaq 100 spot despite bitcoin-focused business model concerns.
Nasdaq removes seven companies while adding six, reflecting index recalibration.
MSCI will review Strategy and similar firms for benchmark eligibility in January.
CEO Phong Le raised $1.44B in eight days to support investor confidence.

Strategy (MSTR.O), the bitcoin-focused firm formerly known as MicroStrategy, has maintained its position in the Nasdaq 100 index. 

The company’s continued inclusion comes amid growing questions over its business model centered on large bitcoin holdings. Strategy’s presence in the benchmark reflects its market capitalization and ongoing role within the technology sector despite volatility in cryptocurrency markets.

The company’s approach of holding significant bitcoin reserves has drawn attention from analysts and investors alike. 

Nasdaq’s technology-heavy index tracks the largest non-financial companies listed on the exchange. Strategy’s retention demonstrates that the company continues to meet the index’s inclusion criteria during routine annual reviews.

Nasdaq 100 Index Adjustments and Market Movements
Nasdaq recently removed several companies from the benchmark, including Biogen, CDW Corporation, Globalfoundries, Lululemon Athletica, On Semiconductor, and Trade Desk. These changes are scheduled to take effect on December 22 and reflect market capitalization shifts within the index.

Meanwhile, new entrants include Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Ferrovial, Insmed, Monolithic Power Systems, Seagate Technology, and Western Digital. 

These additions reflect Nasdaq’s goal of maintaining a diverse mix of high-performing technology and industrial firms. Strategy’s continued presence shows that digital-asset treasury companies can remain part of the index when they meet the set standards.

Concerns persist over companies holding concentrated cryptocurrency assets, as share prices are sensitive to bitcoin price fluctuations. Nasdaq’s inclusion rules aim to balance representation with market stability, allowing Strategy to retain its spot while other companies were removed.

MSCI Review and Strategy’s Capital Strength
Global index provider MSCI will decide in January whether to exclude Strategy and similar companies from its benchmarks. MSCI has raised questions regarding the suitability of digital-asset treasury companies due to their reliance on bitcoin holdings.

Strategy CEO Phong Le highlighted the company’s ability to raise capital during market uncertainty. 

According to Coin Bureau (@coinbureau), Strategy raised $1.44 billion in eight days to address concerns and show resilience during a bitcoin down cycle.

🟠STRATEGY'S STRATEGY TO ADDRESS FUD

Strategy CEO Phong Le says they raised $1.44 billion in 8 days to address the FUD and show people that they're still able to raise money during a #Bitcoin down cycle. pic.twitter.com/ydcdrPRDc7

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) December 13, 2025

Originally a software company, Strategy pivoted to bitcoin investing in 2020. Its inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 under the technology category began last December. 

MSCI’s upcoming review will provide further clarity on whether digital-asset treasury companies can maintain benchmark eligibility globally.

Robert Kiyosaki urges investors to prepare for long-term economic decline by using market crashes to accumulate cash-flowing assets and decentralized stores of value, arguing disciplined planning and bitcoin ownership can build wealth as traditional systems weaken.

Journalist

Posted: December 14, 2025

Bitcoin is back in the spotlight – this time, in India!

Recent remarks from a senior Reserve Bank of India (RBI) official have started a conversation in the nation about what Bitcoin [BTC] really is… and what it isn’t.

While the comments caused backlash online, there’s more to this than you think.

The RBI’s not buying the crypto pitch
Speaking at a media event in Mumbai, RBI Deputy Governor T. Rabi Sankar made things clear. Stablecoins simply don’t pass his test of what money should be.

Source: X

He argued that, unlike sovereign currencies, stablecoins do not carry a clear promise to pay, a feature he said is central to any credible form of money. In his view, their benefits are overstated, while the risks (price instability and weaker control over monetary policy) are real.

“Beyond the facilitation of illicit payments and circumvention of capital measures, stablecoins raise significant concerns for monetary stability, fiscal policy, banking intermediation, and systemic resilience…”

Sankar also pushed back on the idea that cryptocurrencies hold inherent value. Referring to Bitcoin’s origins, he described it as a showcase of technology rather than a true currency, adding that its value is largely speculative.

The RBI continues to support the use of state-backed money, backed by global institutions like the IMF.

Crypto twitter pushes back

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Bitcoin’s 2025 price action has been anything but smooth, but one group of investors has quietly dominated the year’s profit statistics. Short-term holders, which are classified as addresses holding BTC for only one to three months, spent most of the year in the green amidst the push to multiple all-time highs and ensuing drawdowns throughout the year. 

On-chain data from 2025 now provides a clearer answer to whether short-term exposure to Bitcoin actually paid off for holders, even though conditions look far less comfortable at the time of writing.

Short-Term Holders Spent Most Of 2025 In Profit
According to data from on-chain analytics platform CryptoQuant, Bitcoin short-term holders were in a profitable position for roughly two-thirds of 2025. On-chain profit and loss data shows that this cohort was in profit for about 66% of trading days, which translates to about 230 trading days. 

During the first half of 2025, Bitcoin’s price frequently traded above the average realized price of short-term holders, allowing recent buyers to lock in gains even as volatility remained elevated. This pattern became especially visible during mid-year rallies, when Bitcoin pushed above the $100,000 region and short-term profit margins expanded sharply. 

Each time the price reclaimed levels above the short-term realized price, realized gains dominated the distribution. Back in January, Bitcoin maintained a position above the short-term cost basis for nearly two consecutive months, creating the first extended window of sustained profitability for this cohort in 2025. 

A similar, and even more pronounced, phase unfolded between May and October, when short-term holders sat on substantial unrealized gains. During this period, the profit-and-loss margin climbed as high as 20 percent in July, coinciding with Bitcoin’s first breakout above $115,000. During this period, Spot Bitcoin ETFs were witnessing huge institutional inflows that cancelled out any profit-taking from short-term holders.

BTC: STH Realized Profit and Loss. Source: CryptoQuant

Current Picture Shows Short-Term Holders Underwater
That favorable backdrop has changed into losses in recent weeks. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around the low-$90,000 range, while the short-term holder realized price is just above $100,000. This places the current profit/loss margin at a loss of about 10%. 

Interestingly, this margin recently fell to as low as negative 20% when the Bitcoin price broke below $85,000 in November, which is the deepest loss regime for short-term holders in 2025.

Nonetheless, the 2025 data shows that short-term holding was profitable for most of the year, but the outlook is not favorable right now. Structurally, these deep loss pockets usually show up closer to the late stages of a correction than the early ones.

Right now, the most important thing for short-term holders is for Bitcoin to reclaim the short-term realized price and push back above $100,000. Until then, short-term holders will stay under pressure, even with the yearly statistics leaning in their favor.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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Jeff Park, a prominent market analyst and investment manager currently serving as the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at ProCap BTC, says that long-term Bitcoin holders, often referred to as “whales” or “OGs,” are increasingly selling covered calls. In this strategy, they sell call options against a large existing holding, such as BTC and ETH, to generate extra income or yield.

These options grant the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to purchase an asset at a predetermined price in the future, while the seller retains a profit. Park argued that this practice gives rise to a drastic drop in the price of spot BTC.

Park blames BTC OGs for recent price declines in the crypto market 
Regarding Park’s argument, sources highlighted that these major Bitcoin holders establish substantial sell-side pressure via their covered call strategy. On the other hand, they noted that market makers, who play a significant role in purchasing these covered calls, are on the other side of this trade.

Therefore, this calls for an urgency for them to safeguard themselves by engaging in activities such as selling spot BTC to cover their position. This, in turn, lowers market prices, although analysts discovered a deep interest from traditional ETF investors.

Meanwhile, recent reports have revealed that the BTC designed to support these options has been held for several years and does not demonstrate the presence of new demands or fresh liquidity in the market. As a result, these calls bring about a reduction in prices.

To further elaborate on this point, Park mentioned that, “When you already own Bitcoin that you’ve had for over 10 years and start selling calls against it, only the act of selling calls adds new delta to the market—and that delta is negative—so you end up being a net seller of delta when you sell calls.” 

His analysis suggested that the option market has a significant influence on the price of Bitcoin. He also suggested that there is a high likelihood that this price will continue to fluctuate as long as whales continue to make short-term profits, particularly from their BTC holdings by selling covered calls. 

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the cryptocurrency separated from the stock market in the latter half of 2025. At this time, some analysts expressed their belief that Bitcoin is closely tied to tech stocks. Moreover, while stocks continued to reach their highest point, BTC significantly declined to approximately $90,000. 

Analysts express their belief that Bitcoin will begin to rise again 
Several analysts have shared their forecasts that Bitcoin will begin to surge again when the US Federal Reserve continues to implement interest rate cuts and allocate additional funds into the financial system. According to them, this move could indicate a positive sign for risky investments. 

Following their prediction, data from CME Group’s FedWatch tool indicated that approximately 24.4% of traders anticipated that the US Federal Reserve could consider another rate cut at the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting scheduled for January next year.

However, some analysts speculated that BTC might experience a decline to reach a record low of $76,000, arguing that its upward trend has already come to an end.

The analysts made this assumption after trader Roman, with the username @Roman_Trading, shared an X post on Thursday of this week, publicly displaying his recent analysis and informing his followers to prepare for an additional 17% decline in Bitcoin’s price.

Following his statement, sources acknowledged that BTC/USD  has been facing difficulties in bouncing back after reaching its recent lows close to $80,000. They argued that instead, it is moving within a channel that slopes upwards. 

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This company has one of the most visited online platforms.

Reddit (RDDT 3.75%) is one of the fastest-growing social platforms, with 116 million daily active users. It is the third-most-visited site in the U.S., just behind YouTube.

If you have $1,000 to invest, this growth stock could be a rewarding investment that grows in value over the next few decades.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why buy Reddit stock
It's a great sign that Reddit's advertising revenue continues to grow at a significantly faster rate than its daily active user base. Reddit is experiencing strong growth, with daily active users increasing by 19% year over year in the last quarter. This translated to an impressive 68% year-over-year increase in advertising revenue, and there's a good explanation for this growth.

"Reddit" is one of the most frequently searched keywords on Alphabet's Google. People are specifically seeking out Reddit to find helpful answers on various topics, including product reviews. This also means Reddit is attracting people who may have high purchase intent when shopping, which is valuable to advertisers. This makes Reddit unique in the social media landscape, and the company is clearly monetizing its user base effectively.

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Stocks can be volatile from year to year, but over the long term, they tend to track the growth of a company's profits. Analysts expect the company's earnings per share to grow at an annualized rate of 42% in the coming years. This represents more than enough growth to potentially turn a $1,000 investment in Reddit into $2,000 by 2030. If Reddit someday has 1 billion users on its platform, that could spell several thousand dollars in investment value in the coming decades.

John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool recommends Reddit. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

U.S. electricity demand could reach levels not seen in decades as artificial intelligence data centers proliferate.

U.S. electricity demand stagnated during the past two decades because of the introduction of energy-efficient technologies like LED lightbulbs and modern appliances. Between 2005 and 2024, electricity consumption rose at just 0.5% annually, and the utilities sector underperformed the S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.07%) by 210 percentage points.

However, Goldman Sachs estimates U.S. electricity consumption will increase at 2.4% annually through 2030 as three major tailwinds converge: electrification of vehicles and industrial equipment, increased domestic manufacturing activity, and the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

Electricity consumption has not increased so quickly since the internet went mainstream in the late 1990s. In that sense, the utilities sector looks more attractive today than it has in decades. Investors can position their portfolios to benefit by owning shares of the Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU 0.55%).

Here are the important details.

Image source: Getty Images.

The Vanguard Utilities ETF provides exposure to leading power generators and electric suppliers
The Vanguard Utilities ETF tracks the performance of 69 U.S. utility companies. The index fund is most heavily weighted toward electric utilities (63%), but it also provides exposure to gas (5%), water (3%), and multi-utility companies (23%), as well as independent power producers (6%). These are 10 largest holdings as listed by weight:

NextEra Energy: 10.9%
Constellation Energy: 7.7%
Southern Company: 6.5%
Duke Energy: 6.3%
American Electric Power: 4.2%
Vistra Energy: 4.1%
Sempra Energy: 3.9%
Dominion Energy: 3.2%
Xcel Energy: 3%
Exelon: 3%

Three of the 10 stocks above have outperformed the S&P 500 year to date. Constellation Energy, Vistra, and American Electric Power. Investors have good reason to believe that outperformance will continue as the artificial intelligence (AI) boom unfolds:

Constellation is the largest producer of zero-carbon energy and the leading competitive retail supplier of power in the U.S. The stock has advanced 69% year to date.
Vistra is the leading competitive power producer and the second-largest competitive retail supplier of power in the U.S. The stock has advanced 27% year to date.
American Electric Power is one of the largest regulated power producers and it owns the largest electricity transmission network in the U.S. The stock has advanced 24% year to date.

The Vanguard Utilities ETF has an expense ratio of 0.09%, meaning shareholders will pay $9 per year on every $10,000 invested in the fund. The average expense ratio on similar funds is 1.01%, according to Vanguard.

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This Vanguard Utilities ETF is best owned alongside other AI stocks and index funds
The Vanguard Utilities ETF achieved a total return of 180% during the last decade, which is equivalent to 10.8% annually. By comparison, the S&P 500 achieved a total return of 299% during the last decade, which is equivalent to 14.8% annually. The same pattern holds over the past two decades.

I think the utilities sector can outperform the S&P 500 during the next five years, but investors hoping to benefit from the artificial intelligence revolution should still build a diversified portfolio by spreading money across other stocks and/or index funds. I think most investors should own an S&P 500 index fund such as the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF.

The S&P 500 tracks the most influential stocks in the world, many of which will benefit from AI to some degree. In fact, over 60% of companies in the index discussed artificial intelligence on the latest earnings call, according to FactSet Research. That is a new record high.

More importantly, the S&P 500 has been profitable over every 15-year period since 1950. In other words, any investor who owned an S&P 500 index fund turned a profit regardless of when they bought shares provided they held the fund for at least 15 years. That makes an S&P 500 index fund a compelling investment idea.

Trevor Jennewine has positions in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Constellation Energy, FactSet Research Systems, Goldman Sachs Group, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool recommends Dominion Energy and Duke Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

D-Wave is a promising pure play, but Alphabet's resources could position it to be a bigger quantum-computing winner.

D-Wave Quantum has been making waves in the quantum-computing space. The company's focus on quantum-annealing technologies have enabled it to achieve more rapid commercialization compared to many other pure-play companies in the space, and the business has been posting encouraging sales growth that could point to explosive long-term opportunities.

In the third quarter, D-Wave's revenue roughly doubled to reach $3.7 million. Meanwhile, sales across the first three quarters of the year came in at $21.8 million -- representing annual growth of 235%. Despite encouraging growth and mounting real-world applications for its quantum tech, investors could be better served by investing in a much larger player in the space.

Image source: Getty Images.

This tech giant could be one of quantum computing's biggest winners
D-Wave's quantum-annealing tech platform is further down the commercialization pathway compared to the universal gate-based quantum computers favored by Rigetti Computing and some other players. While the overall progression of the quantum-computing industry over the next decade remains highly speculative, D-Wave's approach appears to be delivering a balance that provides usefulness in current real-world applications and the potential for explosive growth with new tech breakthroughs. On the other hand, D-Wave stock is still an incredibly speculative, high-risk play.

While pure plays like D-Wave and Rigetti could deliver massive gains if their respective technologies take off, investors shouldn't sleep on Alphabet's (GOOG 1.03%) (GOOGL 1.03%) potential to be a massive quantum-computing winner. In addition to having capital and computing resources that dramatically exceed smaller players in the category, the tech giant has already been posting eye-catching tech breakthroughs that suggest it's at the forefront of the category.

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Last year, Alphabet's Google Quantum AI unit unveiled its Willow chip -- a quantum-computing processor that was able to significantly reduce the incidence of errors as more qubits were added. With the Willow chip, Alphabet has been able to solve specialized problems in less than five minutes that would have been effectively impossible for other top supercomputers.

Through continued testing and iteration of the Willow chip, Google Quantum AI recently announced that it had achieved another major breakthrough. While quantum computing technologies offer far superior results for some very specialized applications, continued advancements are needed before the tech will have widespread real-world use cases. But Google's October announcement that it ran a verifiable algorithm on Willow-based hardware 13,000 times faster than would be possible on even the world's fastest classical supercomputers suggests that Alphabet could have big advantages when it comes to launching and scaling real-world quantum applications.

Given Alphabet's massive resources and ability to integrate quantum-computing technologies across its existing tech stack, the company could be one of the smartest plays for investors seeking exposure to the quantum trend.

Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Iren's massive Microsoft partnership could ignite one of the strongest AI growth stories of the decade, and investors need to see what happens next.

Iren (IREN 8.67%) is racing to become a significant force in AI cloud computing, backed by a huge Microsoft contract and rapid GPU expansion. This video breaks down the bullish case, the staggering revenue targets, and the potential upside if the company executes.

Stock prices used were the market prices of Dec. 2, 2025. The video was published on Dec. 7, 2025.

Rick Orford has positions in Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick Orford is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

The Warner Bros. logo is displayed at Warner Bros. Studio on December 5, 2025 in Burbank, California.
Getty Images

Why does Paramount Skydance need the Persian Gulf to finance its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery?

It’s a niggling question that hasn’t gone away for Paramount Skydance owners David and Larry Ellison, the son-and-father duo now scrambling to persuade shareholders of the company, known as WBD, to sell the media giant to them instead of Netflix.

As most of the investing world knows by now, the WBD board rebuffed the Ellisons’ all-cash $30-a-share bid to buy all of WBD, instead picking a $27.75-a-share offer from Netflix for the Warner Bros. studio and the HBO Max streaming app. Their plan is to separately sell WBD’s cable properties for an extra few dollars a share in a deal they claim is effectively worth $30.75 a share. The Ellisons are appealing to shareholders directly, going “hostile,” and arguing their bid is and was superior.

They’ve ripped the Netflix deal as risky not only from a regulatory standpoint (lots of potentially antitrust-laden overlap), but also in terms of how much it values those cable properties including CNN, saying the implied $3 a share looks optimistic.

Meanwhile, read the fine print of the Paramount Skydance bid, sources close to WBD counter: Larry Ellison — the Oracle co-founder whose net worth of $243 billion makes him the No. 3 richest person in the world — has relatively little skin in the game to finance son David’s proposal to buy the owner of Warner Bros., HBO and CNN for $78 billion in cash.

The Oracle co-founder is for now said to be ponying up just $12 billion — less than 5% of his fortune — to make the megadeal happen. Meanwhile, a trio of Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds has pledged twice that amount — a disclosure that was sure to raise eyebrows about foreign interests controlling US media assets.

More From Charles Gasparino
It’s also a thread that’s being tugged at by people close to wily WBD CEO David Zaslav, and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos as they lobby investors for their $72 billion deal for the Warner Bros. studio and HBO Max streaming app and to ignore the hostile stuff coming from the Ellisons.

Sore losers
To hear it from WBD and Netflix, the Elli­sons are sore losers who might not have the money they say they do. Most of Larry’s net worth is tied up in shares of Oracle, which have been getting crushed in recent weeks amid the AI market selloff.

Why else would they invite scrutiny by going to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE for dough?

Larry Ellison, chairman of Oracle Corporation and chief technology officer, watches from the stands at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Indian Wells, Calif. AP
The Ellisons have their own sharp elbows, arguing for example that the WBD board didn’t give their offer a full and fair hearing, the spun-out cable assets are worth no more than a buck a share, and that’s why they need to go hostile. Either way, the dueling narratives have turned a bidding war into a fat cat fight for the ages as some of the most powerful executives slug it out for control of one of the world’s great media properties.

As the battle raged, eyes focused last week on something called the Lawrence J. Ellison Revocable Trust, which is the repository of Larry’s fortune. In particular, WBD’s board said it favored Netflix because it was concerned about the “revocable” part and, reportedly, that Paramount Skydance wanted a $2.8 billion limit on damages should it bail out of the deal.

Plea to shareholders
In a letter to WBD shareholders, Paramount Skydance countered: “Any concern that the Trust would take any steps to avoid its obligations (i.e., commit fraud) is meritless and, if such a concern is ever directly raised with the Trust, we will happily address it in the paper­work.”

The Middle East money, they claim, is a positive, not a negative. They tout these as three of the world’s most sophisticated sovereign wealth funds. They also have debt financing from Bank of America and PE giant Apollo, and cash from a hedge fund run by President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Famed media investor Mario Gabelli, a Paramount Skydance shareholder, is among those who have pledged their WBD shares to the Ellisons’ tender because he likes the cash part and really doesn’t care that it came from the likes of the Saudis.

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison speaks during the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles on October 9, 2025. AFP via Getty Images
Consider: The Ellisons’ initial bid was both cash and stock worth $19 a share. To entice Zas, the Ellisons and RedBird Capital went all cash at ever higher numbers and increased the cash portion to 100%.

The Middle East money came after Larry Ellison’s bank started taking a big hit; he’s lost more than $150 billion in paper wealth since the bidding war began.

To hear the Ellisons tell it, the Persian Gulf players are paying up for their vision of a merged company that will leverage some of the best media assets in the world.

On the other side, of course, there’s plenty of sneering about what these oil-rich kingdoms are really angling for — like influence over the US media whether they have voting shares or not.

Of course, investors don’t seem to mind all the mudslinging because shares of WBD are up 150% since the bidding war began.