Bitcoin Sinks Below $87,000 as Gold and Metals Hit Record Highs (BTC, Gold, LINK)

Digital assets aren't winning the post-holiday trade. As of December 26, 2025, Bitcoin slipped below the $87,000 threshold while gold, silver, and copper surged to fresh all-time highs. Investors' appetite for physical safety is currently outweighing the allure of crypto.

Geopolitical Tension Ignites Debasement Trade

Geopolitics took center stage during the U.S. trading morning. Following U.S. strikes on Islamic State targets in Nigeria and increased pressure on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, capital fled to the debasement trade. Metals—not BTC—became the primary beneficiary of the rising global friction.

Crypto Stocks and Miners Feel the Heat

The sell-off wasn't limited to the tokens themselves. Gemini dropped 6%, and even Coinbase faced a 2% decline despite being named a top fintech pick for 2026. The most significant pain was felt in the mining sector, which had recently gained momentum through AI diversification.

Miners like IREN, Cipher Mining, and Marathon Digital all fell by 5% or more. Hut 8 (HUT), a recent outperformer due to its AI infrastructure pivot, led the losses with a 7.5% slide as traders de-risked their portfolios.