From $80 Silver to SoftBank’s $4B Deal and Nvidia’s Intel Bet

Money Masters' Market Kickoff Week 53

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Dear Money Master,

As we come to the end of the month, we bring you a shorter newsletter. With little earnings to report, we focus mainly on the biggest moves in tech and the economy—starting with silver, which briefly topped $80 an ounce for the first time before crashing back down in a dramatic overnight reversal.

In tech, SoftBank is going all-in on AI infrastructure with a $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge 🤖. Nvidia quietly finalized a $5 billion investment in Intel, and Amazon has scrapped its drone delivery plans in Italy. Meanwhile, India’s Zepto has filed confidentially for a $1.2B IPO as the quick-commerce race heats up. 🌍

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - December 29th, 2025

🌍 Economics & Finance:

  1. Silver Hits $80, Then Tumbles in Overnight Reversal 📉
    Silver briefly surged past $80 an ounce for the first time ever but reversed sharply, falling over 5%. Despite the dip, it remains one of 2025’s best-performing assets—up more than 155% year to date. The rally was fueled by safe-haven demand, a weak dollar, and industrial use in tech sectors. Read More

  2. Retailers Brace for Return Tsunami as Holidays End 📦
    With the holiday rush over, retailers expect to see up to 16% of all 2025 sales come back as returns. These returns cost retailers an average of 60% of an item’s value, piling pressure on logistics chains. Many now impose return fees to curb fraud and reduce rising restocking and disposal costs. Read More

💻 Technology:

  1. SoftBank to Acquire DigitalBridge for $4B in AI Infrastructure Play 🧠
    SoftBank is buying DigitalBridge in a $4B cash deal, paying a 15% premium to current stock prices. The move aligns with SoftBank’s vision to build next-gen data centers for AI and “superintelligence.” DigitalBridge manages $108B in assets and sees the deal as a way to scale faster with global reach. Read More

  2. Nvidia Completes $5B Stake in Intel 🤝
    Nvidia acquired over 214 million Intel shares at $23.28 each, finalizing a deal announced in September. This private investment provides Intel with much-needed cash after years of production overspending. Regulatory approval was secured earlier this month, paving the way for deeper chipmaker collaboration. Read More

  3. NASA Chief: U.S. Will Return to the Moon During Trump’s Term 🌕
    NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the U.S. is poised to land on the moon again by 2029. Plans include establishing lunar infrastructure and exploring Helium-3 as a potential fusion fuel. The Artemis missions, backed by SpaceX and Blue Origin, aim to pave the way for Mars expeditions. Read More

  4. Zepto Files Confidentially for $1.2B IPO Amid India’s Quick Commerce Boom ⚡
    Valued at $7B, Zepto is seeking to raise over $1.2B to expand its rapid-delivery footprint in India. Rivalries with Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Blinkit have intensified the price wars in the space. Despite massive growth, Zepto and others face widening losses—raising concerns of a looming bubble. Read More

  5. Amazon Cancels Drone Delivery Plans in Italy 🚫
    Amazon has abandoned its drone delivery rollout in Italy despite prior regulatory progress. The decision was linked to internal business shifts, catching aviation authorities by surprise. The project’s cancellation underscores the difficulty of scaling drone logistics under tight rules. Read More

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To your financial empowerment, The Money Masters Team

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DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of actions taken based on the information provided. Always conduct your own research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.