Bitcoin Stumbles as Gold, Silver, and Copper Hit New Record Highs Post-Christmas
December 26, 2025 – Bitcoin Price Dips Below $87,000 Amid Metals Rally and Geopolitical Tensions
Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a notable decline on Friday, slipping below the $87,000 mark as major cryptocurrencies and crypto stocks tumbled in early U.S. trading. In stark contrast, precious metals including gold, silver, platinum, and copper surged to new record highs, attracting capital amid ongoing geopolitical concerns and inflation hedging strategies.
Crypto Market Pullback After Brief Rally
Bitcoin briefly surpassed $89,000 during overnight trading but descended quickly as U.S. markets opened following the Christmas holiday. By late afternoon, BTC hovered around $87,642, down approximately 1.6% over the past 24 hours. Similarly, Ethereum (ETH) mirrored this decline, trading near $2,936, down about 1.6%. Other cryptocurrencies faced more severe losses, with Dogecoin (DOGE) dropping over 4% to $0.1241, and XRP declining 3% to $1.88, leading the sector’s downturn.
Bitcoin miners and crypto-related stocks did not escape the selloff. Miners such as IREN, Cipher Mining (CIFR), Terawulf (WULF), and Marathon Digital (MARA) saw their shares fall 5% or more in the early trading session. Hut 8 (HUT), which has diversified into AI infrastructure, led losses with a 7.5% drop despite recent momentum in its AI initiatives.
Crypto exchange stocks were also under pressure. Coinbase (COIN), despite being named one of the top three fintech prospects for 2026 by Clear Street’s Owen Lau, declined 2%. Gemini (GEMI) and Bullish (BLSH) fell 6% and 3.8% respectively, while Galaxy Digital (GLXY) was down 3.5%.
Metals Rally Amid Global Uncertainty
The stark divergence between cryptocurrencies and metals this Friday echoes investor preference shifts amid global economic uncertainty. Gold reached a new all-time high at $4,573 per ounce, climbing 1.5%. Silver and copper each rose approximately 5%, while palladium and platinum surged over 10%, leading the precious metals rally.
This surge is attributed to several factors. Heightened geopolitical tensions—including the U.S. military strikes targeting Islamic State positions in Nigeria on Christmas Day and increased sanctions against Venezuela’s oil exports—have driven capital toward traditional safe-haven assets. Moreover, ongoing concerns about currency debasement and inflation continue to favor metals as hedging instruments over digital assets like bitcoin.
Traditional Markets Remain Flat
Amid these shifts, major U.S. stock indices such as the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average showed minimal movement, trading near flat levels during morning sessions, reflecting a cautious investor stance post-holiday.
Looking Ahead
The contrasting trends in cryptocurrencies versus metals highlight the complex dynamics within global financial markets. While blockchain technologies and crypto adoption progress structurally, price action remains volatile and sensitive to macroeconomic factors. Analysts will watch closely how ongoing geopolitical developments and economic policies influence capital flows across asset classes as 2026 approaches.
Market Snapshot (Dec 26, 2025):
- Bitcoin (BTC): $87,642, down 1.6%
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,936, down 1.6%
- Dogecoin (DOGE): $0.1241, down 4%+
- XRP: $1.88, down 3%
- Gold: $4,573/oz, up 1.5% (all-time high)
- Silver & Copper: up ~5%
- Palladium & Platinum: up 10%+
For ongoing updates on cryptocurrency and metals markets, stay tuned.