According to data from msx.com, Trump Media Technology Group's stock price surged 37% in pre-market trading, possibly influenced by news that the company would merge with TAE TECHNOLOGIES in an all-stock transaction.

According to Odaily Planet Daily, market news indicates that Trump Media Technology Group (DJT.O) will merge with TAE TECHNOLOGIES in an all-stock transaction. (Jinshi)

According to Odaily Planet Daily, Argentine police, in a coordinated operation with the Ministry of National Security and the Federal Investigation Department (DFI), have dismantled a criminal organization involved in cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering. Argentine authorities confirmed that the organization caused economic losses exceeding 1.8 trillion Argentine pesos, approximately US$1.2 billion, with the main victims concentrated in the agricultural sector. The case began in October 2025 when the Functional Investigation and Trial Department N.º 3 of the Pergamino Judicial Department in Buenos Aires Province, in conjunction with the Cybercrime Department and the Organized Crime Intelligence Department, began investigating a series of repeated operations suspected of fraud and money laundering. Investigators determined that the group used forged documents to open bank accounts at different branches of private banks. Subsequently, the individuals involved obtained loans through these accounts and immediately transferred the funds to accounts of cryptocurrency companies. Security forces believe that the individuals then transferred the funds to other platforms within the same industry, converting them into virtual assets and transferring them to digital wallets. To conceal the operations, the organization used third parties to pretend to conduct cryptocurrency arbitrage. Furthermore, authorities confirmed that none of the individuals involved were registered with the Virtual Asset Service Provider (PSAV) required by the Argentine National Securities Commission. The judiciary issued disclosure orders to the branches of the banks involved, thus identifying several victimized companies, all of which were related to agricultural and industrial activities. Judge César Alejandro Solazzi and Secretary María Alicia Clerc of the Pergamene Judicial Department's Guarantee Court N.º 1 ordered eight searches, two in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, four in Buenos Aires Province, and two in Santa Fe Province. Three men were arrested in the operation, and two others were notified to participate in the investigation. Police also seized cash, mobile phones, USB drives, storage devices, laptops, bank cards, and documents. The Pergamene Federal Operations Unit (DUOF), Santa Fe Provincial Police, and the 4th Police Station of Firmat City assisted in the operation. This case is one of several criminal dismantling operations related to cryptocurrency use in Argentina in 2025. According to CriptoNoticias, in late July, the Financial Information Service (UIF) ordered the freezing of cryptocurrency-related virtual wallets and accounts after discovering potential links to international terrorist financing networks.

Huoxun Finance reported on December 18th that, according to BitcoinMagazine, Taiwan is conducting a comprehensive inventory of Bitcoin assets seized by judicial authorities. Data shows that as of now, the Taiwan Ministry of Justice system holds approximately 210.45 Bitcoins, which are being held as confiscated assets pending further disposal or inclusion in strategic reserves assessments. Last month, it was reported that Taiwan plans to conduct a final inventory of its Bitcoin holdings and assess its BTC reserves by the end of the year.

According to Huoxun Finance on December 18th, on-chain data shows that the 45th Gate Contract Points airdrop event for SUI and DOGE is underway. SUI's 24-hour high was $1.5451, with a current market capitalization of approximately $5.25 billion. DOGE's 24-hour high was $0.1363, with a current market capitalization of approximately $19.12 billion. This airdrop event yielded over $31 per account. It is understood that this airdrop was divided into two prize pools: users holding ≥60 Gate Contract Points could receive 60 DOGE, consuming 10 Gate Contract Points; those holding ≥120 Gate Contract Points could receive 20 SUI, consuming 20 Gate Contract Points. The 46th Gate Contract Points airdrop, offering 80 ADA and 50 ENA per person, will begin on December 19th at 18:00 (UTC+8). Join now for a chance to claim rewards tomorrow.