ETO Markets 2025 Year in Review: 10 Events that Shaped Global Markets

SYDNEY - Jan. 6, 2026 - PRLog -- 2025 was a year of constant repricing. Trade, fiscal risks, and shifting rate expectations kept markets volatile. AI also shifted from "more compute" to "more efficiency," resetting tech valuations. ETO Markets highlights ten events that defined 2025, helping investors cut through the noise and spot real trends and risks.

DeepSeek R1 Flips the AI Compute Trade

Early in 2025, DeepSeek open-sourced its R1 model. It delivered strong results with less compute, reshaping how investors viewed China tech. The "HK Tech Seven" became a focal point, and the Hang Seng TECH Index led global equities for a stretch.

Quantum Computing Goes Mainstream

In February, UNESCO launched the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. As big tech reported progress in chips and computing, investors traded quantum-linked assets more often. The market started pricing quantum as a real frontier theme, not just a long-term idea.

Europe ReArms: €800bn Defense Wave

The EU rolled out "ReArm Europe / Readiness 2030." It loosened fiscal rules and backed higher defense spending. Defense became a core policy priority. Markets had to rethink Europe's fiscal outlook and geopolitical risk.

Trump Tariff Shock Triggers Global Stock Selloff

After taking office, President Trump revived tariffs. In April, the White House announced broad reciprocal tariffs. Global equities fell sharply, and risk-off demand jumped. Investors faced one of the year's most volatile periods.

Stablecoins Go Legal, BTC Tops $120k

In mid-July, the U.S. signed the GENIUS Act. In early August, Hong Kong's Stablecoin Ordinance took effect. Clearer rules pushed crypto into the mainstream, and Bitcoin hit new highs. Circle's IPO also surged, reaching nearly $300.

Fed Cuts Rates 75bps Amid Politics

The FED cut rates three times in 2025, in September, then again in November and December. In December, it restarted short-term Treasury bill purchases. Politics and leadership rumors kept the rate outlook unstable ahead of Powell's May 2026 exit.

Buffett Retires, Berkshire Hands Off to Abel

In November, Warren Buffett confirmed he would step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO on December 31. Greg Abel will take over as CEO. Buffett will remain Chairman and a major shareholder.

BOJ Hikes to 0.75%, Yen Anchor Shifts Higher

In mid-December, the BOJ raised its policy rate from 0.5% to 0.75%. That put Japan at its highest rate level in about 30 years. The BOJ also signaled more hikes could follow in 2026, lifting the yen's pricing anchor.

ETO Markets(https://www.etomarkets.com/) will keep flagging key turning points and cutting through the noise with clear, structured signals for disciplined decisions in volatile markets.