International News 10 December 2025
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China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Global Central Banks Boost Reserves
China’s central bank extended its gold-buying streak to a thirteenth consecutive month in November 2025, adding 30,000 troy ounces (0.93 tons) and bringing its total holdings to 74.12 million ounces (2,305.6 tons), according to official data cited by Reuters. The sustained accumulation reflects Beijing’s strategy to diversify reserves and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. China has also begun offering gold-storage services to other central banks—an assertive step toward positioning itself as a new hub in the global gold-trading ecosystem. The World Gold Council reported that global central-bank gold purchases rebounded in October, with net buying reaching 53 tons, the highest monthly level of 2025. Cumulative purchases from January to October hit 254 tons, driven mainly by emerging-market central banks including Brazil, Poland, Uzbekistan, and Turkey. WGC notes that gold remains a crucial hedge amid geopolitical uncertainty, trade tensions, and concerns over fiat-currency durability, compounded by expanding monetary policy and rising sovereign debt. Gold prices have stayed elevated above US$4,000 per ounce in recent months, supported by expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts after touching a record US$4,400 in October.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/cadangan-emas-bank-sentral-tiongkok-kian-gemuk
Robinhood Expands Into Indonesia Through Dual Acquisition
Robinhood Markets Inc. announced plans to enter the Indonesian market by acquiring Buana Capital Sekuritas and a licensed crypto asset trader (PAK), marking a major step into one of Southeast Asia’s largest crypto hubs. Indonesia’s rapidly growing financial ecosystem—featuring over 19 million capital-market investors and 17 million crypto traders—makes it a strategic destination for Robinhood’s mission to expand financial access. The move aligns with the country’s progressive crypto regulations and a young, tech-savvy population. The acquisition, expected to close in the first half of 2026, will allow Robinhood to meet local regulatory requirements and accelerate crypto product offerings. Pieter Tanuri, majority owner of both Indonesian entities, will remain as a strategic advisor. The expansion follows a strong year for Robinhood, including its entry into the S&P 500 and its March 2025 push into prediction markets. Robinhood’s stock has surged nearly 268% year-to-date as of December 4.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/robinhood-akuisisi-buana-capital-buka-pasar-kripto-indonesia
Thailand Launches Airstrikes on Cambodia as Border Conflict Reignites
Thailand conducted airstrikes on Cambodian territory early Monday (Dec 8, 2025) after clashes erupted along disputed border areas, with both countries accusing each other of violating a U.S.–brokered ceasefire. The Thai military reported one soldier killed and eight wounded in intensified fighting at around 05:00 local time, saying air support was needed to hit Cambodian military positions. Thailand accused Cambodia of deploying heavy weapons and moving combat troops, prompting what it called a necessary aerial response. Cambodia condemned the strikes as an act of aggression, saying Thai forces attacked two locations before dawn, though it insisted its troops had not retaliated. Former prime minister Hun Sen slammed Thailand for provoking conflict, while local officials reported three Cambodian civilians seriously injured. The renewed hostilities mark a sharp escalation in a long-running territorial dispute that has simmered for more than a century. Tensions flared again in July, leading to five days of conflict before a ceasefire was arranged by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and U.S. President Donald Trump, followed by an expanded peace deal in October. Both sides have now begun large-scale evacuations: Thailand has displaced more than 385,000 civilians, while over 1,100 Cambodian families have also fled. Cross-border airstrikes between Southeast Asian nations are exceptionally rare, heightening concerns across ASEAN. The situation deteriorated further after Thailand suspended the ceasefire last month, citing new landmine blasts that maimed its soldiers; Bangkok accuses Cambodia of planting fresh mines—claims Phnom Penh denies.