Bitcoin Surges Past $90,000 Amid Oil Gains and Faltering Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes
On December 29, 2025, Bitcoin price soared past $90,000, reaching $90,192.44, marking an increase of over 2%. Other cryptocurrencies also performed well, with Ethereum at $3,046.01, XRP at $1.9138, and Solana at $128.77, all rising by more than 3%.
In the oil markets, prices climbed with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude at $57.24 per barrel, up 1%, and Brent crude at $60.81 per barrel, up 0.8%.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year, continued to affect global markets and contribute to inflation. Recent attacks have cast doubt on peace prospects: Russia targeted the Naftogaz Kherson Combined Heat and Power Plant, disrupting heating services for tens of thousands, while Ukraine struck the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara region, damaging its only primary processing unit.
Despite these setbacks, former US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky indicated progress on a 20-point peace plan.
In Asian markets, investors remained tentative amid year-end holidays, with Korea's KOSPI index up 1.7% driven by gains in chipmaker stocks, although overall liquidity was thin.
