In November 2025, Chinese carmakers captured 12.8% of Europe's electric vehicle market and exceeded 13% of hybrid sales across the EU, EFTA countries, and the UK, even as EU tariffs of up to 45% took effect. Leading brands such as BYD and SAIC Motor expanded aggressively, while newer entrants like Chery and Leapmotor recorded triple- and quadruple-digit percentage growth in regional EV sales.

Minutes from the Federal Reserve's December 9-10 meeting show a 9-3 vote for a 0.25% rate cut to a 3.5%-3.75% target range, but reveal sharp divisions over the pace of future easing. Some officials viewed the move as a finely balanced choice and favor holding rates while inflation remains elevated, while others point to rising unemployment and softer price data as reasons to move toward further cuts.

On December 30, 2025, Prenetics, a healthcare firm backed by David Beckham, confirmed it stopped buying Bitcoin on December 4 after starting a crypto treasury program in June. The company will retain its 510 BTC, valued at $44.8 million, while redirecting strategic focus to IM8, its vitamins and supplements line created in partnership with Beckham.

On December 30, 2025, Bitcoin made a second push toward $90,000 but stayed confined to the $85,000–$95,000 band. The asset is about 5% lower than last December after an October setback and an early-October record. ETFs shed $6 billion in Q4, while derivatives open interest rose $2.4 billion in December.

In 2025, storage and infrastructure companies, led by Sandisk's roughly 580% surge, took the top positions in the S&P 500 as AI data center spending accelerated. Traditional AI leaders like Nvidia gained about 40% and slipped to 71st place, while investors rotated toward power, cooling, wiring, construction and even Bitcoin miners pivoting to high-performance computing. Analysts now see more moderate upside for some 2025 winners, with growing attention on names such as Pure Storage, Quanta Services and Vertiv as potential next-stage beneficiaries of AI infrastructure demand.

Data center operators are installing aircraft-derived turbines and diesel generators to bypass long grid-connection waits. In December 2025, GE Vernova said orders for its aircraft-based units rose 33% in the first nine months of 2025, while Cummins delivered more than 39 GW and doubled capacity. BNP Paribas estimates Meta's Ohio behind-the-meter power at $175/MWh, roughly twice typical industrial rates.

China's internet regulator posted draft rules for human-like AI systems on Saturday, with public comments accepted until Jan. 25. Providers must disclose machine interaction at login and every two hours, warn users about overreliance, and complete security and ethics reviews. Services reaching 1 million registered users or 100,000 monthly active users must file additional reports with provincial regulators before launch.

Former Facebook executive Chris Kelly said on Tuesday the AI industry must curb electricity consumption as companies construct vast data centers. Nvidia and OpenAI outlined at least 10 gigawatts in September, while a watchdog estimates PJM consumers will face $16.6 billion between 2025–2027 to secure future supply.

Alphabet said on December 22, 2025 it will acquire Intersect for $4.75 billion in cash and assume the company's debt. The deal is intended to accelerate data center and power capacity, with closing targeted for the first half of 2026 and Intersect continuing to operate independently. Texas projects will be a focus of the collaboration.