Inflation Data Shifts, Crypto Signals & Global Power Plays | The Integrity Ledger

Welcome to The Integrity Ledger — Inflation is cooling, but confidence isn’t. Institutions are quietly betting on Bitcoin, AI is triggering global crackdowns, and corruption cases are surfacing across borders. The signals don’t align—but they rarely do before the pressure shows.

India will update key economic indicators by releasing new series for retail inflation, national accounts, and industrial production with revised base years. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data with base year 2024=100 and national accounts with base year 2022-23 will be published in February 2026, while the revised Index of Industrial Production (IIP) will be issued in May 2026.

These base-year revisions aim to improve data accuracy and reflect recent structural changes in India’s economy. Updated statistics will enhance informed decision-making for policymakers, investors, and businesses by providing a more current economic framework.

The Times Of India

Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran cautioned that failing to lower interest rates further could increase recession risks for the U.S. economy. He highlighted that a variety of shocks, including changes in immigration policy, have lowered the neutral interest rate and called for continued dovish monetary policy adjustments.

Miran's stance suggests the Fed may need to pursue more aggressive rate cuts to prevent economic downturn, signaling potential easing for markets and borrowing costs. Investors should watch upcoming policy moves closely as the central bank navigates these evolving economic conditions.

Asianet Newsable

Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, has approved merging ACC Ltd and Orient Cement Ltd into its operations, creating a consolidated pan-India cement platform. The merger aims to enhance operational efficiencies, simplify corporate structure, and improve margins by at least Rs 100 per tonne, with completion expected within the next year.

The consolidation will eliminate administrative overheads and enable more efficient capital allocation, strengthening Ambuja's market leadership and supporting its plan to increase cement production capacity to 155 million tonnes per annum by FY28. The unified structure also promotes faster decision-making and aligns with sustainability goals through a consolidated ESG framework.

The Economic Times

Bitcoin holders with 10,000 to 100,000 BTC have collectively offloaded 36,500 BTC, valued at $3.37 billion, since early December. This large-scale selling coincides with Bitcoin trading between $85,000 and $94,000, with current prices around $89,646. Meanwhile, smaller holders are accumulating, highlighting a divergence in market behavior.

The distribution by whales signals potential downward pressure, often preceding price declines or extended consolidation. Traders are closely watching exchange inflows which, if spiking, could indicate imminent market selling and a possible retest of support near $80,400.

Crypto News

JPMorgan Chase is exploring the possibility of offering cryptocurrency trading services, including spot and derivatives, to its institutional clients. The initiative remains in early stages, with final offerings dependent on market demand. This move follows broader trends in institutional adoption of digital assets in the U.S.

If launched, JPMorgan's crypto trading could significantly expand institutional access to digital assets and signal growing mainstream acceptance. This development also aligns with other major banks enhancing crypto services, potentially accelerating market growth.

The Economic Times

The market recognizes that AI's growth relies on physical infrastructure beyond software, including power, materials, security, and biological workforce support. Avant Technologies highlights five critical companies: Oklo Inc. for nuclear energy; Rush Gold Corp. for silver supply; QSE for quantum-resistant encryption; Ares Strategic Mining for fluorspar production; and Avant’s own ventures in regenerative medicine targeting human longevity.

Investors should note a strategic shift from software to tangible infrastructure enabling AI scalability, emphasizing energy reliability, material supply, and security resilience. The biological infrastructure focus on workforce health signals long-term sustainability in AI-driven economies, underscoring new investment themes in physical and biological assets.

Financial Post

A suspected distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack disrupted France’s national postal service, La Poste, and its banking arm, La Banque Postale, during the busy Christmas season. The incident rendered online services inaccessible, delaying package deliveries and blocking online payment approvals, though customer data was not compromised. The bank shifted payment approval processes to text messages while investigators work to resolve the issue.

The disruption highlights vulnerabilities in critical national infrastructure, affecting consumer access to essential services during peak holiday periods. It underscores the urgency for enhanced cybersecurity measures in postal and banking systems to mitigate operational risks amid rising geopolitical tensions and sophisticated cyber threats.

AP News

December has seen $463.6 billion in mergers and acquisitions announced, a 30% increase from last year, including major deals like Paramount's $108.4 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery and IBM's $11 billion Confluent acquisition. Dealmakers from New York to London are working through the holidays to close multi-billion-dollar transactions amid a robust pipeline for early 2026.

The intense holiday M&A activity signals renewed corporate confidence and a strategic push to finalize deals before year-end. Investors and advisers should anticipate continued high deal volumes in early 2026, with companies adopting a more aggressive stance toward acquisitions.

Channel News Asia

The Trump administration announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado, the largest federal facility studying weather and climate. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought condemned NCAR as a source of "climate alarmism," ordering the relocation of weather research and the cessation of all climate studies. Colorado senators warn this move is a politically motivated retaliation tied to the state's refusal to release convicted election denier Tina Peters.

The shutdown threatens the jobs of 830 NCAR employees and undermines a globally respected atmospheric research hub supported by 129 universities. Researchers warn the decision will significantly hinder U.S. climate science capabilities, with broader implications for national weather forecasting and policy. This politicization of federal science funding raises concerns over the future of state-federal relations and scientific independence.

Dailykos

The Enforcement Directorate has attached immovable properties worth Rs 110 crore linked to Prayag Group and its directors in a money laundering investigation. The group allegedly collected Rs 2,863 crore from nearly 3.87 million depositors through illegal schemes, with Rs 1,906 crore remaining unpaid as of March 2016.

This action highlights regulatory scrutiny on illegal deposit operations and Ponzi schemes exploiting retail investors. It underscores intensified enforcement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, signaling heightened risks for fraudulent fund mobilisers in the financial sector.

Asianet New Sable

Russia has pledged full support to Venezuela amid a US blockade of sanctioned oil tankers in the Caribbean, following actions including bombing drug-trafficking boats and seizing tankers. The two countries condemned the US for escalating tensions, with plans to coordinate at the UN to uphold sovereignty and non-interference. The US claims Venezuela uses oil revenues to finance illicit activities under Maduro's regime.

The Economic Times

In 2025, global conflicts saw fragile ceasefires with significant developments including US President Donald Trump's tariff impositions on India due to its Russian oil purchases, and ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks with a US-brokered 28-point plan proposing Russian control over Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk. The ceasefire is fragile amid contentious points like Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations.

Deccan Herald

Donald Trump has intensified US pressure on Latin America, using a strategy of punishing non-aligned countries and rewarding allies, with over 100 killed in maritime strikes mostly targeting Venezuela. This approach fractures regional coordination, exploits political volatility, and underscores the diminished influence of the left and regional diplomacy. Countries like Brazil and Mexico maintain pragmatic resistance amid this imperial posture.

The Guardian

China has launched a $113 billion Hainan Free Trade Port, creating a customs zone distinct from the mainland to attract foreign investment and rival Hong Kong. The initiative increases tariff-free goods to 74% and aims to boost economic ties and supply chain integration amid U.S.-China tensions and slowing growth. Success here could inform wider national reforms.

Newsweek

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