In 2025, the Indian rupee has turned into Asia's weakest-performing currency as it dropped from 85.64 to 89.6 against the U.S. dollar, with some forecasts pointing to 92 by the end of March. Heavy foreign portfolio outflows, high U.S.-bound tariffs and uncertainty over a trade agreement with Washington have pressured the currency, even as the central bank has reportedly intervened to slow the decline. Analysts argue the rupee looks undervalued and see potential benefits for exports, but warn that prolonged weakness, policy uncertainty and investor caution could keep it under strain.

On December 22, 2025, JPMorgan Chase began evaluating institutional cryptocurrency trading, with potential spot and derivatives offerings under review. The bank is in an early exploratory phase, assessing compliance, operations, and risk, amid rising client demand and expanding competitor services.

ChatGPT 5.2 sets out a 2026 investment outlook spanning equities, fixed income, commodities, and crypto. It anticipates uneven but positive growth, cooling inflation, selective equity gains anchored by AI, lower bond yields, resilient credit, strength in metals like copper, a stable oil backdrop, and a maturing crypto market under clearer regulation, with Japan and parts of Europe presenting value.

CoinShares reported last week that digital asset ETPs recorded $952M in outflows, the first weekly decline in four weeks, while XRP drew $62.9M in net inflows. Ethereum and Bitcoin saw withdrawals of $555.1 million and $460 million, highlighting shifting preferences amid market volatility.

On December 17, Robert Kiyosaki warned on the Rich Dad YouTube channel that further interest rate cuts could push the U.S. toward hyperinflation, drawing comparisons to Weimar Germany. He cited rising consumer debt, including a typical $3,600 credit card balance at about 22% interest, and argued asset holders in gold, silver, Bitcoin, real estate, or cattle would fare better than wage earners.

In 2025, U.S. auto loan delinquencies climbed to record levels, as borrowers struggled under $1.66 trillion in outstanding car debt and repossessions reached their highest point since the 2008 Great Recession. Although Federal Reserve rate cuts in September and October lowered average refinance rates from 8.35% in January to 7.62% in September, tighter credit standards have left many subprime borrowers unable to benefit. At the same time, the average new vehicle price rose to $48,699 in May, further pressuring households already paying historically high monthly car notes.

Ghana's parliament has approved the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, making cryptocurrency trading legal and placing the sector under the supervision of the Bank of Ghana. Governor Johnson Asiama said the new law gives the central bank authority to license and oversee crypto asset service providers to address fraud, money laundering and systemic risks. The move follows earlier plans to introduce crypto regulation by the end of 2025 and comes as Ghana ranks among the top Sub-Saharan African crypto markets by value received.

Crypto ETPs logged $952 million in outflows, ending a three-week streak of net inflows, after delays to the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act dented US sentiment. Ether funds shed $555 million and Bitcoin funds $460 million, while Senate markup is now slated for January 2026.