December 9, 2025 — Key financial events scheduled for today include the Bank of Japan’s annual meeting on December 8-9 to discuss bond market strategies. Australia’s central bank announce its rate at 06:30 MSK. In the United States, key reports due include the ADP Nonfarm Employment at 16:15 MSK and the WASDE report at 19:00 MSK. Walmart is moving its listing from NYSE to NASDAQ. More details on IPO of Basis.

Google to Launch AI-Powered Glasses by 2026

Larry the Cat declined to enter Downing Street with Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky in a peculiar incident.

Elysée Palace announces trilateral meeting including Zelensky, advancing joint efforts on U.S. plan; focus remains on security guarantees and recovery measures for Ukraine. Merz expresses doubts about Trump's plan.

Trump advocates for unified AI regulations, plans to sign executive order to uphold U.S. leadership.

Russia's passenger car sales are forecast to reach between 1.35 million and 1.4 million units by 2026, Rolf says. Sales are expected to total 1.3 million units by the end of 2025, down 17% from the previous year.

Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind and Nobel laureate, said AI systems capable of matching or surpassing human intelligence could be developed within the next decade. Herman Gref predicted at the Moscow Startup Summit that AGI or even ASI would emerge within 10 years, potentially solving all of humanity’s problems.

Radio Monte Carlo launches premium sports-chic clothing brand.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Latnik reaffirms confidence that the Supreme Court will uphold Trump’s tariffs.

Chinese exports to the United States declined 29% in November, despite trade truce, CNBC reports.

China’s November exports rose 5.9% YoY, surpassing the 3.8% forecast and reversing a 1.1% decline. Imports increased 1.9% YoY, below the 2.8% consensus but up from 1% last month. The country’s trade surplus exceeded $1 trillion for the first time.

Options markets signal traders are preparing for a potential crypto winter, with sizable wagers indicating Bitcoin may remain within its current trading range soon — BBG. Analysts note that Michael Saylor's Strategy company could be stockpiling reserves in anticipation of a bear market. The "crypto winter" may already be underway — chart.

A dramatic shift in the cryptocurrency market has occurred, with the sector experiencing an 86% decline following a prior 2,600% rally, impacting multiple publicly traded companies with digital token investments. Shares of these companies have declined an average of 43% this year, with some decreasing more than 99%, as investors reassess the asset class amid concerns over unanticipated returns and financial pressures. — BBG

Investors are viewing Oracle's prospects with unusual concern, as the company's five-year credit default swap (CDS) has reached a 16-year high, Bloomberg reports. The trend is unusual relative to other firms. Morgan previously highlighted Oracle's aggressive AI investments, rising debt levels, and increased spending.

Thailand evacuates residents near Cambodian border amid renewed clash fears.

U.S. corporate earnings reports slated for release this week.

Review of the largest AI venture rounds in November, courtesy of AI-alpha. Topping the list is Jeff Bezos’s startup, Project Prometeus, which does not yet have a website.

U.S. economy expected to expand 2.5% in 2026, Goldman Sachs predicts.

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins says tokenization will transition all US markets to blockchain within two years.

Nvidia CEO Huang compares Bitcoin to a "Store of Energy," similar to Elon Musk's remarks.

Texas becomes first U.S. state to purchase Bitcoin, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announces. Patrick voiced support for former President Trump and outlined plans to position Texas as a leader in the nation's digital economy. More details here.

Grayscale Files Application to Launch Spot SUI ETF

Zcash founder to join SEC crypto roundtable on Dec. 15; note that the privacy-focused cryptocurrency's legal office is located near CIA headquarters in the U.S.

A recent study published in Science and Nature suggests AI chatbots could influence voters' political preferences more substantially than traditional TV election campaigns.

BPCE, France's third-largest bank, has launched cryptocurrency trading.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon describes Europe as a "weak continent," citing substantial economic risks to the U.S.

US does not plan to alter Taiwan status quo, aims to prevent regional dominance, says Hegseth; emphasizes limited US interests in Indo-Pacific. China Foreign Ministry urges US to cease all contacts with Taiwanese authorities.

US White House mulling intervention over Netflix-Warner Bros. deal, potentially backing Paramount, WSJ reports.

The confiscation of frozen Russian assets in the European Union could diminish confidence in the euro and jeopardize its role as a global reserve currency, according to FT.

Putin orders government to prepare proposals by spring to boost fish procurement; President approves directives for fishing industry development.

Russia's Lukoil's license to operate in Romania has been extended until April 2026, according to Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Ctoi.

Britain prepared to transfer £8 billion of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, The Times reports.

UBS reports global dollar billionaire count rises nearly 9% annually to 2,919; day traders excluded from list.

CNBC, Kalshi strike multi-year partnership to incorporate real-time market prediction data across CNBC platforms starting 2026

U.S. analysts expect the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates by 25 basis points at the December 10 policy meeting, according to a Reuters poll.

United Aircraft Corporation and HAL are partnering to establish Sukhoi Superjet production in India, UAC head says, TASS reports.

YPF, Argentina's largest state-owned oil producer, exploring cryptocurrency payment options at gas stations. More details available at:

www.lanacion.com.ar

Russia's State Duma has introduced a bill proposing the issuance of digital financial assets (ДФА) secured by mortgage collateral. More details are available in the article.

Scientists observe first alignment of Mercury, Venus, and Mars near Sun since 2019; experts advise immediate closure of all market positions as a precaution.

Roskomnadzor Starts Restricting Access to FaceTime in Russia

The Bank of Russia will proceed cautiously in reducing the key interest rate to avoid reversing the emerging trend of slowing inflation, said Andrey Gangan, Director of the Central Bank's Monetary Policy Department.

БАЗИС sets IPO price range at 103-109 rubles per share

A major player is entering the Russian satellite internet market. In December, the State Commission for Radio Frequencies will review the allocation of frequencies to Sputnix, a unit of AFK Sistema, for a hybrid cellular-satellite 5G network. Read more on Izvestia.

Japan’s bond yields reach record highs, putting the Bank of Japan in a dilemma. Increasing the policy rate risks pushing yields higher, while lowering rates to bolster the economy may fuel inflation, CNBC reports.

Coinbase CEO emphasizes tokenization as future of finance, advocates for transition of all assets to blockchain. BlackRock CEO highlights asset tokenization as means to reduce strain on the financial system, calls for U.S. to accelerate adoption.

India is preparing to host Russian President Vladimir Putin, as the two countries seek to deepen trade relations despite ongoing U.S. tariffs. — CNBC

Russian Ministry of Finance launches social media campaign to boost domestic stock market participation; partnership with leading investment firms to promote investment initiatives, according to Vedomosti.

Russia’s “Molniya” messenger, aimed at fostering international cooperation primarily with China, is scheduled to launch in early 2026, TASS reports. The platform will integrate communication features, social content, payments, cross-border trade, and business services. More information is available at this link.

Foreign exchange rates reported: USDCNY at 7.069; USDTRUB at 78.30.

EU ambassadors to discuss European Commission’s proposal on expropriating frozen Russian assets. Witkoff and Kushner to meet Umerov in Miami. Putin to visit India on December 4-5. Macron’s China visit scheduled for December 3-5. Brazil’s GDP, US initial jobless claims, and Canada’s Ivey PMI data due today. Russian Bond Congress underway. Anticipated corporate updates include Russian IPO developments as well as earnings reports from Dollar General, Kroger, Docusign, Ulta Beauty and Hewlett Packard.