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In a groundbreaking systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, a team of researchers led by SS Heydari delves into the profound effects of carotenoid supplementation on liver enzymes in adults. This research arrives at a pivotal moment when dietary supplements are increasingly scrutinized for their impact on health. The study meticulously assesses randomized controlled trials to uncover the nuanced connections between carotenoids and liver function, bringing to light valuable insights that could inform dietary recommendations and therapeutic approaches for liver health.
Carotenoids are organic pigments that are predominantly found in fruits and vegetables, exhibiting a plethora of health benefits. These compounds, known for their vibrant colors—whether the deep orange of carrots or the vivid red of tomatoes—are not just aesthetic; they play significant roles in human physiology. The liver, being the body’s detoxification hub, is significantly influenced by the nutritional status of carotenoids, making this research crucial for understanding how dietary choices can affect liver health.
The systematic review was designed with a rigorous protocol grounded in the GRADE framework, which evaluates the strength and quality of evidence. This methodology is imperative for deriving meaningful conclusions that can be translated into dietary guidelines for the public. By synthesizing findings from various studies, the researchers aimed to establish a relationship between carotenoid intake and liver enzyme levels, notably alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which are key indicators of liver function.
The meta-analysis encompassed a wide range of studies, incorporating diverse populations and varying dosages of carotenoid supplementation. Such inclusivity strengthens the validity of the findings, as it reflects real-world scenarios where dietary habits significantly differ. The analysis revealed that individuals who engaged in carotenoid supplementation exhibited notable reductions in liver enzyme levels, suggesting an enhancement in overall liver function. This finding is particularly important for adults who may face the risk of liver diseases, as elevated enzyme levels often signal an underlying health concern.
Notably, the review emphasized the importance of specific carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Each of these compounds was shown to have unique properties and mechanisms by which they influence liver enzyme levels. For instance, beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, has been linked to antioxidant activities which could mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress in liver tissues. Such mechanisms are essential for maintaining hepatic health and mitigating the risks associated with chronic diseases.
Furthermore, the use of a dose-response model allowed researchers to discern how varying amounts of carotenoids impacted liver enzymes. This granularity in data offered critical insights for developing targeted recommendations regarding carotenoid intake, ranging from supplementation to dietary adjustments focusing on carotenoid-rich foods. It underscores the necessity for healthcare professionals to advocate for the incorporation of these vital nutrients in their patients’ diets.
The role of lifestyle factors in the context of carotenoid supplementation was also a focal point of the analysis. It’s important to note that factors such as physical activity, alcohol consumption, and overall diet can modulate the effects of carotenoids on liver health. The interplay between these elements suggests that a holistic approach, rather than isolated supplementation, may yield the most significant benefits for liver function.
As discussions on liver health continue to evolve, the research highlights a crucial aspect of preventative healthcare. With rising incidences of liver-related ailments and the burgeoning interest in nutritional prevention strategies, this study serves as a beacon for further inquiry. It raises pertinent questions regarding the optimal sources and amounts of carotenoids necessary for fostering liver health, as well as the long-term implications of habitual carotenoid intake.
Furthermore, public health initiatives could greatly benefit from these findings. By promoting the consumption of carotenoid-rich foods, public health campaigns could potentially enhance population liver health. Educational programs focused on the importance of diet in liver function might lead to more informed nutritional choices among adults, ultimately reducing the prevalence of liver diseases.
In wrapping up the systematic review, the researchers expressed the need for further studies to explore the intricate mechanisms at play. Future research could investigate specific populations or pre-existing liver conditions to better understand how carotenoid supplementation could be tailored to individual needs. The implications of this research are expansive, suggesting that dietary interventions, particularly those rich in carotenoids, may serve as beneficial adjuncts in liver disease management.
In conclusion, the systematic review and meta-analysis led by SS Heydari et al. present compelling evidence on the beneficial effects of carotenoid supplementation on liver enzyme levels in adults. As healthcare continues to move towards more integrative and preventive modalities, the insights garnered from this research underline the importance of nutrition in maintaining liver health. The potential for carotenoids, whether through supplementation or dietary changes, presents an innovative avenue for enhancing liver function and preventing disease, thus heralding a new chapter in nutritional science.
Subject of Research: Effects of carotenoid supplementation on liver enzymes in adults.
Article Title: Effects of carotenoid supplementation on liver enzymes in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Article References:
Heydari, SS., Bideshki, M.V., Akbarzadeh, M. et al. Effects of carotenoid supplementation on liver enzymes in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Complement Med Ther (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05201-5
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI:
Keywords: Carotenoids, Liver Enzymes, Supplementation, Meta-Analysis, Health Nutrition.
Tags: carotenoid supplementation effectsdietary recommendations for liver wellnessdietary supplements and liver functionGRADE framework in nutrition researchhealth benefits of carotenoidsimpact of carotenoids on liver healthliver enzymes and healthnutritional status and liver detoxificationorganic pigments in fruits and vegetablesrandomized controlled trials carotenoidssystematic review on carotenoidstherapeutic approaches for liver health
At the 05:03 update on December 23, 2025, XRP (Ripple) is trading around $1.88, with the day’s action largely defined by a tug‑of‑war: steady institutional demand through spot XRP ETFs versus broad, risk‑off year‑end pressure across crypto markets. [1]
Across major market trackers, XRP’s intraday range has remained tight—roughly $1.87 to $1.91—while 24‑hour trading volume is still in the multi‑billion‑dollar zone, a sign that this is active distribution/positioning rather than a low‑liquidity drift. [2]
Here’s what the latest aggregated pricing data shows for XRP on Dec. 23, 2025:
It’s also worth emphasizing the broader context driving trader psychology today: multiple market analyses note XRP is still down roughly ~50% from the July peak around $3.67, and down around ~13% year‑to‑date, which helps explain why rallies have been met with quick selling. [8]
Several December 23 market write‑ups converge on a simple short‑term explanation: XRP is moving with the tape.
One widely cited theme in today’s commentary is year‑end positioning—profit taking, de‑risking, and reduced willingness to chase breakouts into ill‑defined holiday liquidity. [11]
Today’s XRP coverage is unusually consistent about the levels that matter next, even when the writers disagree on direction.
Multiple technical takes published on Dec. 23 frame the market as range‑bound and “decision‑point” trading:
On the upside, analysts repeatedly point to:
The most bearish December 23 analysis goes further, projecting downside targets around $1.62 and even $1.25 if the market fails to defend major supports. These are not consensus forecasts—but they are part of today’s active debate. [16]
If you only read one narrative thread from today’s XRP coverage, it’s this paradox:
Spot XRP ETFs are drawing sustained inflows — yet XRP’s spot price is still stuck under $2.00.
Bitwise XRP ETF (ticker: XRP)
Bitwise says its XRP ETF began trading on November 20, 2025, with a 0.34% management fee (waived for a limited promotion described in its release). [17]
Grayscale XRP Trust ETF (ticker: GXRP)
Grayscale’s product page lists ETP listing/public quotation date: 11/24/2025, and reports assets under management around $221M as of 12/22/2025, along with the trust’s XRP holdings. [18]
Franklin XRP ETF (ticker: XRPZ)
Franklin Templeton’s fund page lists inception date: 11/24/2025, primary listing market: NYSE Arca, and shows reported net assets for early December. [19]
Canary XRP ETF (ticker: XRPC)
A Business Wire release from Canary states XRPC exceeded $336M in AUM as of 11/26/2025, positioning it (at that time) as the largest U.S. spot XRP ETF by AUM. [20]
Several reports in recent days put cumulative XRP‑ETF inflows/AUM around the $1B–$1.2B zone:
Today’s analysis splits into two main explanations:
Beyond chart levels and ETF flows, today’s XRP commentary highlights several longer‑arc “fundamental” catalysts—some already in motion, others still upcoming.
A key background change cited across the XRP ecosystem is the reduced legal overhang after the SEC’s lawsuit. Reuters reported in August 2025 that the SEC ended its case against Ripple, leaving a $125 million fine intact and ending the appeals, effectively closing one of crypto’s most high‑profile enforcement battles. [25]
This matters in price formation because regulatory clarity tends to influence: exchange access, institutional comfort, and the willingness to package exposure in regulated wrappers like ETFs.
A leading Dec. 23 market analysis argues that, while short‑term price action remains seller‑controlled, XRP is increasingly tied to “real rails” narratives—citing milestones such as more than 4 billion ledger transactions and a push toward institutional‑grade use cases. [26]
Ripple’s own press release (Aug. 22, 2025) states that Ripple and SBI plan RLUSD distribution in Japan, and that SBI VC Trade aims to make RLUSD available in Japan during Q1 2026. [27]
That timeline has become a common anchor in “2026 utility” narratives: if RLUSD distribution expands regulated stablecoin activity on infrastructure tied to Ripple’s ecosystem, investors expect the conversation to shift from “speculation only” toward measurable settlement/usage metrics.
Here’s how the day’s forecasts and scenario planning generally cluster.
One Dec. 23 technical forecast frames XRP as stuck between $1.85 support and $2.00 resistance, arguing the market needs a decisive break above $2.00 to shift momentum meaningfully. [28]
This aligns with today’s price behavior: repeated attempts to reclaim $2 have met sellers, while the $1.8x zone continues to attract dip buying.
The most bearish Dec. 23 analysis outlines a scenario where XRP remains trapped in a longer‑term down channel, with $1.62 and $1.25 highlighted as downside targets if support fails and momentum continues to deteriorate. [29]
This isn’t a certainty—it’s a conditional roadmap that depends on support breaking and the broader market remaining weak.
A Dec. 23 outlook focused on 2026 argues that reaching $5 would likely require multiple factors to align—especially continued ETF adoption and additional institutional catalysts. [30]
Separately, multiple ETF‑focused reports describe the inflow pace since November as unusually consistent for a new single‑asset product category, which bulls interpret as a potential foundation—if macro conditions stabilize. [31]
If you’re tracking XRP into the end of 2025, the market’s “watch list” is pretty clear:
Reminder: crypto prices can change rapidly and may vary slightly by exchange and data provider. This article summarizes reporting and analysis published on Dec. 23, 2025, and is not investment advice.
1. www.coingecko.com, 2. www.coingecko.com, 3. www.coingecko.com, 4. www.coingecko.com, 5. www.coingecko.com, 6. www.coingecko.com, 7. www.coingecko.com, 8. www.financemagnates.com, 9. www.financemagnates.com, 10. www.financemagnates.com, 11. www.financemagnates.com, 12. crypto.news, 13. www.financemagnates.com, 14. crypto.news, 15. www.financemagnates.com, 16. www.financemagnates.com, 17. bitwiseinvestments.com, 18. etfs.grayscale.com, 19. www.franklintempleton.com, 20. www.businesswire.com, 21. www.dlnews.com, 22. cryptobriefing.com, 23. www.financemagnates.com, 24. www.investing.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.investing.com, 27. ripple.com, 28. crypto.news, 29. www.financemagnates.com, 30. 247wallst.com, 31. www.dlnews.com, 32. crypto.news, 33. crypto.news, 34. www.dlnews.com, 35. ripple.com
Silver is ending December 23, 2025 with a bang. The white metal has pushed through the long-watched $70-per-ounce threshold for the first time and extended the rally into fresh record territory above $71, powered by a potent mix of industrial demand, investment buying, tighter inventories, a softer U.S. dollar, and rate-cut expectations. [1]
Around the late New York session—closest available spot snapshots ahead of this 5:03 PM ET update—major pricing feeds showed spot silver near $71.4–$71.5/oz, up more than 3% on the day, after trading a wide intraday range. [2]
In the latest visible spot snapshots on Tuesday:
Those late-session levels followed a dramatic intraday progression that traders will remember: silver was already printing records in early trade, then breached $70, and later accelerated to new highs as the day unfolded. [5]
Silver’s surge wasn’t a single spike—it was a day-long storyline:
In other words, the market didn’t just test $70—it cleared it, then built above it, which is often what separates a “headline pop” from a more durable trend.
Tuesday’s rally is being explained by a rare alignment of bullish inputs—some structural, some macro, and some driven by year-end positioning.
Reuters quoted metals strategist Peter Grant (Zaner Metals) pointing to a market that has been in deficit for five years, with increasing industrial demand adding to the bid. [9]
That matters because silver is not only a precious metal—it’s also a critical industrial input used across electronics and energy-related applications. When investors decide they want “hard-asset protection” at the same time industry needs supply, the squeeze can become self-reinforcing.
Reuters also highlighted strong industrial and investment demand alongside tightening inventories as key supports. [10]
This is the kind of backdrop that can turn dips into quick rebounds: if the market believes available supply is shrinking, sellers become more cautious, and buyers become more aggressive on pullbacks.
Precious metals often respond to shifts in real yields and the U.S. dollar. Reuters noted that expectations of further U.S. rate cuts were helping propel the complex, and that a weaker dollar makes dollar-priced metals more attractive for overseas buyers. [11]
Silver doesn’t always trade like pure “risk-off” gold—but in big macro moments, it can pick up a safety bid too. Reuters linked today’s move to simmering geopolitical tensions and highlighted fresh U.S.–Venezuela friction as part of the broader risk backdrop feeding safe-haven demand. [12]
With silver printing record highs, the conversation has quickly shifted from “can it break $70?” to “how far can this run—and how violent could the pullbacks be?”
Reuters reported that silver’s next target is $75/oz, according to Peter Grant—while cautioning that year-end profit-taking could trigger a pullback. [13]
That “$75” level is now emerging as a widely repeated upside reference point because it sits above today’s breakout zone and gives the rally a clear, simple target for momentum traders.
FXStreet’s technical view on Dec 23 acknowledged that silver remains in a strong uptrend, but flagged overbought RSI conditions as a reason bulls may pause before adding fresh risk. Importantly, FXStreet added that any meaningful corrective drop could still be seen as a buying opportunity, with downside potentially limited. [14]
FXEmpire struck a more cautious near-term tone, noting silver hit a record around $70.68 before pulling back on profit-taking into the holiday period. FXEmpire also tied some pressure to strong U.S. GDP data (4.3%) and rising Treasury yields, which can reduce appetite for non-yielding metals if markets rethink how quickly the Fed will cut. [15]
Taken together, the day’s forecasts paint a fairly classic late-year setup:
Even for readers who don’t trade, a few technical “zones” matter because they often influence headlines, investor psychology, and the pace of moves:
If silver remains above $70 on follow-through days, the narrative stays “breakout and hold.” If it slips back below, the narrative can quickly turn into “failed breakout,” even if the bigger trend remains bullish.
Reuters noted silver is up dramatically year-to-date—147% in 2025 in its late-day report—underscoring just how powerful this move has been. [19]
That scale of annual gain is why forecasts have become more polarized:
With Christmas-week liquidity in play, a handful of inputs could have an outsized impact on silver pricing in the next sessions:
Bottom line (Dec 23, 2025): Silver’s breakout above $70 has turned into a full-throttle record run above $71, with analysts now openly discussing $75—but multiple research notes warn that thin holiday trading and profit-taking could still produce sudden pullbacks even inside a bullish trend. [26]
1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.kitco.com, 3. www.investing.com, 4. www.kitco.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.reuters.com, 12. www.reuters.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.fxstreet.com, 15. www.fxempire.com, 16. www.reuters.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.reuters.com, 21. www.fxempire.com, 22. www.reuters.com, 23. www.fxempire.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.reuters.com
However, the weaker yen has pushed import prices higher, dampening households’ purchasing power and curbing private consumption. The effects of higher import prices on private consumption have been a key concern for the BoJ and the Japanese government, leading to yen intervention warnings.
An upward revision to the October LEI would align with improving sentiment toward the Japanese economy and strengthen the yen. However, USD/JPY losses will likely be limited, considering the ongoing fiscal concerns and the BoJ’s cautious policy outlook and fading bets on a March Fed rate cut.
An unexpected surge in US GDP growth and a hotter-than-expected US price deflator tempered expectations of a March rate cut on Tuesday. A sharp increase in PCE prices signaled a sticky inflation outlook, while concerns mount about a decoupling of the labor market from GDP growth.
Later on Wednesday, initial jobless claims will come under scrutiny after last week’s weak US jobs report. Economists forecast initial jobless claims to slip from 224k (week ending December 13) to 223k (week ending December 20).
A lower claims reading would ease immediate concerns about the labor market, while supporting a more hawkish Fed policy stance. However, an unexpected spike in claims could revive Fed rate cut bets, supporting a bearish USD/JPY price outlook.
According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the chances of a March Fed rate cut dropped from 52.9% on December 22 to 45.1% on December 23. The sharp drop reflected the impact of the Q3 US GDP report on sentiment toward the Fed policy stance.
While US data will influence US dollar demand and USD/JPY trends, risks of a yen carry trade unwind linger ahead of the holidays.
Elevated JGB and rising US Treasury yields will likely shift focus back to USD/JPY trends for early warning signs of an unwind. However, economists have mixed views on the USD/JPY’s breaking point. 10-year JGB yields could boost demand from domestic investors. The prospect of a stronger yen on repatriations and higher yields reinforces the constructive short- to medium-term bias.
A drop below 155 could be crucial for the negative short- to medium-term bias, given Tuesday’s low of 155.649.
With markets monitoring technical indicators and fundamentals, they will offer crucial signals into potential USD/JPY price trends.
Looking at the daily chart, USD/JPY remained above the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), indicating a bullish bias. While technicals remained bullish, fundamentals are increasingly outweighing the technical structure, indicating a bearish outlook.
A drop below the 155 support level would bring the 50-day EMA into play. If breached, 150 would be the next key support level. Importantly, a sustained break below the 50-day EMA would signal a bearish near-term trend reversal, paving the way to the 200-day EMA and 150. A break below the 200-day EMA would reinforce the bearish medium- to longer-term USD/JPY price outlook.
Boba tea, which originated in Taiwan, is a cold, milk-based beverage featuring tapioca pearls, while matcha is finely ground green tea powder, most commonly consumed as an iced latte. The hype around these beverages is not new, but their increasing appeal in India has even compelled the 13-decade-old Wagh Bakri to reinvent itself.
“If you look at the younger audience, they are not as excited about traditional hot teas. So the need was to launch newer variants of tea, like bubble teas and iced teas,” said Sanjay Singhal, the chief executive (CEO) of the Gujarat-based company. “It is more for the younger generation and to create excitement in our tea lounges.”
The tea producer operates a network of Wagh Bakri Tea Lounges, which serve freshly brewed tea and snacks. Starting this year, it has added cold beverages such as iced and bubble teas to the menu.
“People don’t go to a restaurant alone. They go as a group—friends or family and you have to appeal to everybody. Our teas may appeal to older people, but youngsters may not want to have them,” he said.
The strategy, he said, is already changing who walks into Wagh Bakri’s outlets. “Beyond revenue, what this has really helped with is that we are seeing a lot of Gen Z and young kids walking into our tea lounges. That’s a segment that would never come to a tea lounge earlier.”
Cold beverages are growing 60% faster than hot drinks, with Asian formats such as matcha and boba witnessing outsized traction, according to the latest Kearney–Swiggy How India Eats 2025 report. Search interest for matcha has jumped 11-fold over the past five years, while boba tea searches have grown fourfold, underscoring how these once-niche drinks are fast-moving into the mainstream, driven largely by Gen Z’s willingness to experiment.
Singhal said cold beverages see demand beyond the traditional summer months. “When people go out, they don’t necessarily want to have a hot beverage. A cold beverage works better as a food accompaniment, and you can sit and sip it for longer.”
Quick service restaurant chains that have long been grappling with muted consumer demand are now increasingly viewing cold beverages as a rare bright spot amid the slowdown. New-age café chains, meanwhile, say formats such as matcha, boba and iced coffees are reshaping consumption habits rather than riding a passing fad.
At cafe chain abCoffee, said founder and chief executive Abhijit Anand, cold beverages have become a key lever to attract younger consumers, with Gen Z accounting for about 54% of the chain’s customer base.
While boba continues to perform well, he said it tends to be more seasonal in nature. Matcha, by contrast, is emerging as a more durable habit. “Matcha is a true extension of the coffee line. It’s not just a cold coffee alternative but a winner in the mix.”
Cold drinks account for nearly 60% of the beverage mix during summer and spring and make up around 40% even in winter, with Mumbai standing out as a market where cold beverages contribute over half of sales year-round, said Anand.
According to Rajat Tuli, partner and food & beverage lead at consulting firm Kearney, while boba and matcha were initially popularised by Gen Z as early adopters, they have now found acceptance across age groups. “Their presence across QSR, café and standalone menus suggests these formats are no longer niche and are likely to remain a permanent fixture over the next few years.”
Menu innovation has contributed too. According to Tuli, cold formats lend themselves to greater experimentation, resulting in a wider range of variants compared to hot drinks. Younger consumers continue to show a clear preference for colder beverages, driving demand across seasons, he said.
That shift is reflected in the rapid growth of homegrown bubble-tea-focused QSRs such as Boba Bhai, which has attracted investor interest and expanded aggressively beyond metros. The Bengaluru-based chain, launched in 2023, has raised institutional capital, including a ₹30 crore Series A round led by 8i Ventures and plans to grow its footprint to well over 100 outlets across India, including in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, as it seeks to make bubble tea a mainstream choice for youth across the country, according to startup data platform Tracxn.
The $124 region now acts as a short-term decision zone after several reactions in recent sessions. If buyers hold that level, price may attempt another move toward $126-$128.
If sellers force a sustained break under $124, traders will likely shift attention to $120 as the next support. A loss of $120 could open the path toward the Fibonacci level near $116.5.
Daily indicators continued to reflect . The Money Flow Index printed near 17.1, while the DMI showed -DMI near 24.2, above +DMI near 13.5, with ADX near 24.2. Bulls would need a stronger reclaim of the 0.236 Fibonacci area near $149.2 to change the broader structure.
Analysts on X outlined different downside and upside markers into early 2026. Bitbull said SOL could sweep support and leave $90-$100 as a potential accumulation zone, while noting $160-$180 as a Q1 2026 target. Stefan B said needs consolidation near the trendline and highlighted $78.14 as a potential buying area.
Also Read:
Today’s bull breakout further confirms strength of the counter-trend rally. It looks poised to test resistance near the 50-day average, now at $59.13. Until proven otherwise, some degree of resistance can be anticipated. Since the area near the 50-day average reversed the bull reversal from the October swing low, it was confirmed several times as a dynamic resistance area, most recently the December lower swing high at $60.56.
Since the average identifies an area of possible resistance, the 12-day high at $59.22 can be included in the price zone as well, along with a 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level at $59.37. Together, these indicators show a price zone from around $59.13 to $59.37 where the current bounce could stop and reverse – or breakthrough.
A sustained recapture of the $60.56 lower swing high from early December would be needed to show a reversal of the trend on the daily chart. However, a one-week bullish reversal triggered this week from a bullish hammer candle pattern. The weekly breakout will confirm if this week ends above last week’s high of $57.82. Nevertheless, the reversal of the lower swing high is needed to satisfy the internal downtrend that began from the June spike high at $78.44.
The series of lower swing highs from that peak suggests at least another pullback from resistance near the top of the short-term decline bounded by a dashed falling trendline. Despite recent signs of strength, demand will need to remain strong enough to advance further and then break out through a resistance zone and remain in a bullish technical position. That would be difficult without another dip, even if to generate a higher swing low rather than another test of this month’s lows.
Crude oil’s counter-trend rally has gained traction with the 20-day reclaim and weekly reversal signal, but the $59.13–$59.37 confluence looms as the decisive test. Clearance and hold above the 50-day average shifts the daily structure to short-term bullish; rejection there favors another leg lower within the larger downtrend from June.
For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar.
– Written by
Tim Boyer
STORY LINK Pound Sterling to Dollar Forecast: Festive Mood Lifts GBP/USD Toward 2026
The Pound to US Dollar exchange rate (GBP/USD) pushed past the $1.35 mark on Tuesday, rising to its strongest level since the end of September.
At the time of writing, GBP/USD was trading near $1.3501, up around 0.3% from Tuesday’s opening levels.
The US Dollar (USD) softened broadly on Tuesday, even after US GDP data surprised sharply to the upside.
Markets had expected growth to cool in the third quarter, with forecasts pointing to a slowdown from 3.8% to 3.3% amid concerns that President Donald Trump’s tariff policies were beginning to weigh on activity.
Instead, figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed the US economy expanded by a robust 4.3% between July and September, driven by stronger consumer spending as well as renewed momentum in exports and government outlays.
Rather than lifting the Dollar, the data reinforced a risk-on market backdrop, prompting investors to rotate away from safe-haven assets.
The release also failed to shift expectations for US monetary policy, with markets continuing to price in multiple Federal Reserve interest rate cuts over the course of 2026.
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The Pound (GBP) also advanced on Tuesday, benefiting from the typically upbeat sentiment associated with the year-end ‘Santa rally’.
Thin liquidity conditions during the holiday period appeared to amplify Sterling’s gains, as an optimistic market mood favoured risk-sensitive currencies.
Beyond seasonal effects, the Pound drew modest support from tentative optimism around the UK’s medium-term outlook. While recent inflation and growth data point to near-term challenges, some investors are increasingly hopeful that conditions could improve into 2026 as global growth steadies and policy uncertainty eases.
Looking ahead, with no major UK or US economic releases scheduled, movement in GBP/USD is likely to remain closely tied to broader market sentiment.
If festive optimism continues to underpin risk appetite, the Pound to US Dollar exchange rate may be able to extend its upward momentum into the Christmas period.
However, any sudden shift in mood or external geopolitical headlines could quickly reintroduce volatility.
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Ali Charts, a popular on-chain analyst, said data shows that large Bitcoin holders, commonly known as whales, have been net sellers throughout the past year, as per a report. According to the analyst, whale holdings declined by 161,294 BTC over the last 12 months, a move he said typically appears before or during deeper market corrections rather than after prices have bottomed, as per a Zycrypto report.
He wrote in an X post, “The 1-year change in Bitcoin whale holdings is −161,294 $BTC,” adding, “That tells us whales have been net sellers over the last year. This behavior usually shows up before or during deeper corrections, not after bottoms,” as quoted by Zycrypto.
Also read:
Despite posting multiple new all-time highs this year, Bitcoin’s performance has been uneven, with several sharp flash crashes linked to heavy selling by large holders. At current levels, the cryptocurrency is hovering around $87,000, but market sentiment has become increasingly fragile as bearish pressure returns.
In total, whales are estimated to have sold about 161,294 BTC in 2025, worth roughly $15 billion, as per the Zycrypto report. Much of this selling occurred during key market moments, weighing on the bullish narrative. If the trend extends into 2026, analysts suggest it could be difficult for Bitcoin to achieve a sustained recovery.
Also read: Top Republican suddenly emerges as serious 2028 threat to JD Vance’s White House ambitions
Ali noted that heavy selling by whales often signals either an upcoming correction or the continuation of a bearish trend. In contrast, strong buying activity from large holders is typically associated with the early stages of bull markets, something that has been largely absent over the past year.
However, not all large investors have been selling. Medium-sized holders, often referred to as “sharks” and defined as wallets holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC, have been net buyers throughout the year. Their accumulation has helped absorb some of the pressure created by whale selling and has fueled speculation that market influence is slowly shifting away from legacy whales toward a broader base of participants, as per the Zycrypto report.
Even after the sell-off, whales still control more than 2 million BTC, giving them significant influence over price movements. Still, there are limits to how much they can sell, and the market’s ability to withstand sustained distribution in 2025 has highlighted Bitcoin’s resilience.
Looking ahead to 2026, analysts are expected to closely monitor whale activity for clues about the market’s next direction. A slowdown in selling, even if temporary, could provide short-term relief for bullish investors, while continued distribution may keep pressure on prices in the months ahead.
How much Bitcoin did whales sell in 2025?
About 161,294 BTC, worth roughly $15 billion.
How much Bitcoin do whales still control?
More than 2 million BTC.