Welcome to The Integrity Ledger — markets look calm, but beneath the numbers, power is shifting: cyberattacks hit critical systems, corruption cases widen, Bitcoin falters, and AI’s energy appetite redraws global lines.
Market commodities
Nasdaq | 23,608.47 | ▲ 0.20% |
S&P 500 | 6,931.84 | ▲ 0.33% |
|---|---|---|
Bitcoin | 87,315.34 | ▼ 0.10% |
Gold | 4,507.30 | ▼ 0.39% |
Dow Jones | 48,727.53 | ▲ 0.59% |
Ethereum | 2,938.01 | ▼ 0.89% |
Tether | 1.00 | ▼ 0.02% |
Binance Coin | 843.86 | ▲ 0.01% |
Solana | 122.43 | ▼ 1.16% |
Finance & Markets
India Revises GDP, CPI, and IIP Base Years to Reflect Economy
India is revising the base years for GDP, Consumer Price Index (CPI), and Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to better capture economic realities. Saurabh Garg, Secretary at the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, cited structural economic changes, new data sources like online prices and GST data, and international methodological updates as drivers for the overhaul. The International Monetary Fund highlighted gaps from outdated base years, prompting revisions aimed at improving accuracy without major changes to growth forecasts.
The updated measurement framework will enhance statistical accuracy and incorporate digital economy factors, aiding policymakers and investors in better understanding economic trends. While growth projections remain largely unchanged, the changes improve data reliability for strategic decision-making.
Markets Near Records as Wall Street Prepares Early Christmas Close
Wall Street markets remained near record highs early Wednesday amid subdued trading ahead of the holiday-shortened week. The Dow Jones rose 0.1%, the S&P 500 edged up slightly, and the Nasdaq dipped 0.1% as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's January decision on interest rates. US jobless claims fell to 214,000, below forecasts, signaling continued labor market strength despite inflation and consumer concerns.
Light trading volumes are expected through the week as many investors close positions for the year, reducing market volatility. The Fed's likely pause on rate hikes in January may support equities, while recent labor data suggest resilience amid economic headwinds. Investors should monitor ongoing developments in inflation and consumer confidence for cues on future market direction.
Business & Investments
Jiangxi Copper Acquires SolGold in $1.17 Billion Takeover
SolGold, the gold and copper miner focused on Ecuador, agreed to a £867 million ($1.17 billion) acquisition by its largest shareholder Jiangxi Copper. The 28 pence per share offer represents a 43% premium over SolGold's closing price before the deal was first proposed on November 19. The transaction gives Jiangxi control of SolGold's Cascabel project, one of South America's largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits.
The acquisition secures valuable copper resources amid growing demand driven by electric vehicle and AI infrastructure development. Investors can expect Jiangxi’s control to accelerate the Cascabel project’s development, potentially influencing the copper market dynamics as global green technology sectors expand.
Crypto & Fintech
Bitcoin Stalls Near $87,000 Amid Dwindling Institutional Demand
Bitcoin has struggled to sustain gains above $87,000, falling to $86,411 on December 23 amid reduced holiday liquidity and fading momentum. Institutional participation cooled significantly after robust inflows earlier in 2025, with US spot Bitcoin ETFs seeing a net outflow of $189 million that day, extending a four-day streak of withdrawals.
The drop in institutional demand and ETF outflows signal a cautious market ahead of year-end, increasing the risk of further price declines toward $85,000 or lower. Investors should monitor technical indicators, which currently suggest weakening bullish momentum and potential for Bitcoin to revisit lower support levels.
IndusInd Bank and Jio-bp Launch RuPay-Powered Mobility+ Credit Card
IndusInd Bank and Jio-bp unveiled the Mobility+ Credit Card on December 10, a co-branded RuPay card offering fuel rewards, lifestyle benefits, and seamless digital payments. Cardholders earn up to 60 litres of free fuel annually and up to 4.25% cashback on fuel purchases across Jio-bp’s 2,100+ mobility stations and 7,000 EV charging points. The card features accelerated rewards, UPI-enabled payments, and a fully digital onboarding process.
This partnership presents a future-ready payment solution merging banking expertise with an expansive mobility network, enhancing customer convenience and rewards. The card’s integration of fuel savings and lifestyle incentives sets a new standard in co-branded fuel cards, targeting India’s rapidly growing on-the-go consumer base.
Emerging Tech & Ethics
Four Key Ways CIO Role Expands with AI in 2026
The CIO role is set for a major transformation in 2026, evolving beyond digital and cloud leadership to encompass responsible AI governance, AI-driven platform consolidation, enterprise-wide innovation, and sustainability stewardship. CIOs will be charged with ensuring AI models are transparent and ethical, consolidating sprawling SaaS ecosystems into intelligent platforms, and leading technology-driven sustainability efforts. This shift positions CIOs as strategic architects central to business outcomes.
Technology leaders must prepare to integrate AI ethics and governance into their core responsibilities while simplifying their technology stacks for agility and security. CIOs will increasingly drive enterprise innovation and sustainability initiatives, requiring expanded skills in risk management, platform strategy, and environmental impact measurement. This evolution highlights the growing strategic influence of CIOs across business functions.
Pro-Russian Group Noname057 Hits France’s Postal Service with DDoS Attack
A pro-Russian hacking group, Noname057, claimed responsibility for a distributed denial of service (DDoS) cyberattack that disabled France’s national postal service, La Poste, disrupting package tracking and online payments days before Christmas. French intelligence agency DGSI has taken over the investigation amid wider allegations of Russian hybrid warfare targeting European infrastructure.
The attack highlights vulnerabilities in critical national infrastructure during peak delivery periods, risking widespread disruption for millions of customers. Organizations must enhance cybersecurity resilience against state-affiliated threat actors amid escalating hybrid warfare campaigns in Europe.
Forensic Lens
Money Trails
Alphabet is acquiring clean energy developer Intersect Power for $4.75 billion in cash plus assumed debt to address electricity supply constraints that CEO Sundar Pichai called AI's biggest threat. The deal enables Google to build power generation directly at data centers, bypassing strained utility grids and supporting its $40 billion data center investment through 2027. Intersect will operate independently under CEO Sheldon Kimber while collaborating with Google's infrastructure teams.
This acquisition strategically secures energy for Google's cloud expansion amid industry-wide supply bottlenecks in infrastructure and permitting. By integrating power generation with data centers, Alphabet aims to maintain competitiveness against global rivals like China and accelerate AI development. The deal also signals a broader push into advanced energy technologies such as geothermal and carbon capture.
Corruption & Governance
Telangana’s Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating Deputy Transport Commissioner Mood Kishan of Mahabubnagar district for accumulating assets valued at more than ₹100 crore, far exceeding their documented worth of ₹12.72 crore. The probe uncovered extensive immovable and movable properties, including prime land worth over ₹60 crore, a hotel share, luxury vehicles, gold, and a bank balance totaling ₹1.37 crore.
This case highlights ongoing corruption challenges within Telangana's government departments and signals intensified anti-graft enforcement. Investigations into benami transactions involving Kishan’s driver may lead to further asset recoveries, emphasizing the need for tighter oversight and transparency in public service.
Fraud Watch
The estate of Robert Brockman, a late Texas software mogul, has agreed to pay $750 million to settle what prosecutors described as the largest individual tax-fraud case in US history. Brockman allegedly used offshore entities and secret accounts to hide more than $2 billion in income from the IRS between 2004 and 2018. The settlement includes $456 million in back taxes and $294 million in penalties.
This settlement closes a yearslong saga involving extensive offshore tax evasion and illustrates the IRS's aggressive pursuit of complex cases. It underscores heightened scrutiny on private equity executives' tax practices and signals significant financial repercussions for estates implicated in such schemes.
Global Integrity Outlook
US
Four UN human rights experts condemned the US naval blockade of Venezuela as illegal armed aggression, urging the US Congress to intervene and lift the blockade. They highlighted violations of the right to life due to US military actions, including intercepting oil tankers and air strikes, which have caused over 100 deaths.
Latin America
Venezuela's National Assembly approved criminalizing activities like oil tanker seizures following U.S. seizures of two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil as part of Trump's pressure campaign on Maduro. The bill imposes up to 20 years in prison for acts of piracy and awaits Maduro's signature, amid international disputes over legality and sovereignty.
Asia
The U.S. Trade Representative concluded that China's semiconductor policies are unfair but will delay imposing tariffs until June 2027. The decision follows an 18-month investigation finding China uses aggressive non-market practices to dominate the chip industry. Beijing opposes the tariffs, claiming they disrupt global supply chains and harm all countries involved.
Russia
A bomb blast in southern Moscow killed three people — including two traffic police officers — when they approached a suspicious individual near the site where a Russian general was assassinated earlier in the week. Authorities are investigating whether the incidents are linked amid broader security tensions in the capital.
Quick Bits / Short Reads
Canadians face widespread digital burnout, with 62% experiencing it occasionally or regularly, especially among gen-Z and tech workers, causing productivity and revenue losses for businesses, but the holidays offer a chance to reset. — Financial Post
ConocoPhillips CEO Michael Ryan Lance exercised options for 819,900 shares valued at $49.16 million amid the company’s 15.26% revenue growth and attractive valuation metrics like a P/E ratio of 13.1. — Benzinga
The Dow Jones gained over 100 points, supported by a 10,000 decline in U.S. initial jobless claims to 214,000, while major indexes like Nasdaq and S&P 500 also edged higher on positive market sentiment. — Benzinga
UiPath’s stock surged 7.7% in premarket trading after being added to the S&P MidCap 400 index, reflecting growing investor interest ahead of the official January 2, 2026 inclusion. — Investing Australia
Nike shares rose 5.31% following insider purchases by Apple CEO Tim Cook, who bought 50,000 shares worth about $3 million despite ongoing concerns over tariffs and China demand. — Benzinga
White Mountains Insurance Group completed its modified Dutch auction tender offer, purchasing 64,064 shares valued at approximately $131.3 million, representing 2.5% of its outstanding stock. — Benzinga
Picard Medical secured up to $50 million through a senior secured note private placement to fund working capital and general corporate purposes, with an initial $15 million tranche expected to close soon. — Benzinga
Bitcoin options with a notional value of $23.6 billion are set to expire Dec. 26, marking the largest expiry to date and raising expectations for increased volatility during the holiday week. — Bitcoin Ethereum News
Stay sharp, stay ethical, and keep following the money.
— The Integrity Ledger Team