On December 15, the crypto market shed nearly $150 billion as Bitcoin traded close to $85,000 and major tokens fell 4%–8% in a day. Reported mining shutdowns in China and $357.6 million in Bitcoin ETF outflows added pressure. By December 16, heavy leverage contributed to about $649.4 million in liquidations, including a $11.58 million BTC order on Binance.

During an Oval Office event on Monday, President Donald Trump said he is aware of the Samourai Wallet case and is willing to review a possible pardon for its CEO, Keonne Rodriguez, who recently received a five-year federal prison sentence. Rodriguez, accused of operating a Bitcoin mixing service allegedly used to launder $237 million and running an unlicensed money-transmitting business, responded that Trump's remarks are an important step as his prison term begins in four days. The crypto community has rallied behind Rodriguez with the #pardonsamourai hashtag and calls from industry figures to free him, citing previous presidential pardons in high-profile crypto-related cases.

MetaMask has introduced native Bitcoin support, enabling users to buy, swap, send, and receive BTC directly in the wallet after previously relying only on wrapped versions. The rollout, announced on Monday following initial hints in February, extends MetaMask's multichain strategy alongside assets like Ethereum, Solana, Monad, and Sei, with further network integrations and a Polymarket partnership also in the pipeline.

Bitcoin’s rejection near the $94,000 zone and a potential retest of the $80,000 area are heightening concerns over Strategy’s highly leveraged BTC balance sheet. The company now holds 671,268 BTC worth just over $50 billion, with its mNAV and convertible note structure creating added risk if the BTC price stays low into upcoming maturities. Investors are watching how falling mNAV and rising dilution pressure may force tough choices between new debt issuance and possible Bitcoin sales.

On December 15, 2025, Bitcoin Bancorp announced plans to deploy up to 200 licensed Bitcoin ATMs across Texas beginning in Q1 2026. The OTC-traded operator (BCBC) cited Texas' clear rules and strong demand, and its shares rose 7.83% on the day and 29.53% over five days.

Bitcoin is trading near $90,000 as traders balance current macro headwinds against scenarios in which looser US monetary policy and the 2026 midterm cycle fuel a major rally. Some analysts project that if quantitative tightening ends, rates are cut, and liquidity improves, BTC could climb into a $300,000–$600,000 range, while others focus on nearby resistance between $90,000 and $94,000 and diverging expectations over whether $100,000 will be reached before 2026.

On Monday, President Donald Trump said he would review a possible pardon for Samourai Wallet founder Keonne Rodriguez, who is scheduled to report to federal prison in four days after receiving a five-year sentence. Rodriguez and co-founder William Lonergan Hill, who was sentenced to four years, were convicted over a bitcoin wallet and mixing service that prosecutors said laundered millions in criminal proceeds. Rodriguez later responded on X, thanking Trump and supporters while comparing his case to what he described as a politically motivated crackdown by the Biden Justice Department.

Grayscale's 2026 outlook anticipates Bitcoin setting a new all-time high in the first half of 2026, supported by institutional participation and clearer regulation. The report notes roughly $87B of net inflows into crypto ETPs since Jan. 2024 and highlights Bitcoin's issuance rate below 1%, with the 20 millionth coin expected in March 2026.