Bitcoin has taken a downward trend after reaching a historic record in October 2025, losing more than 50% of its value. In the past 24 hours, approximately $2.1 billion in long (bullish) positions were liquidated. Additionally, a heavy outflow of capital from Bitcoin ETFs was reported at $434 million in one day. The announcement of a $12.4 billion loss by MicroStrategy (led by Michael Saylor) in the fourth quarter, due to the decline in the value of its Bitcoin holdings, has also had a negative psychological impact on the market.

The European Central Bank kept interest rates unchanged and maintained a neutral stance. Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, stated that the ECB does not focus on the exchange rate and does not have a direct target for it. She emphasized that the inflation path is assessed as stable, and forecasts indicate that inflation will gradually move toward the 2 percent target over the medium term. Lagarde also noted that wage indicators suggest easing wage pressures and that inflation conditions are at an appropriate level.

The first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran after months of tension was held on Friday in Oman. These indirect talks were conducted with Omani mediation. The main topic of the negotiations was Iran’s nuclear program. Iran stated that it is committed to peaceful enrichment but is not willing to completely halt enrichment. Both sides have planned the next round of talks for next week. These negotiations are taking place while the United States continues to apply pressure by deploying naval forces to the region, and Iran has threatened a decisive response to any attack. Iran’s stock market reacted positively, but markets are not very optimistic about the talks.

In Japan’s snap parliamentary elections, indicators and opinion polls point to a major victory for Sanae Takaichi, the country’s prime minister, and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The ruling coalition is expected to secure a decisive majority or even two thirds of the parliamentary seats. If power is consolidated, Takaichi is expected to pursue expansive fiscal policies with a focus on investment in technologies such as artificial intelligence and to adopt firmer positions in the defense sector.