PANews reported on December 18th that U.S. stocks opened higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.58%, the S&P 500 up 0.98%, and the Nasdaq Composite up 1.45%. Trump Media Technology Group (DJT.O) opened 22.3% higher. It was reported that Trump Media Technology Group (DJT.O) will merge with nuclear fusion company TAE TECHNOLOGIES in an all-stock transaction . The merged company plans to begin site selection and construction of a fusion power plant in 2026.

Blockchain concept stocks generally rose, with COIN (Coinbase) up about 3%; MSTR (Strategy) up about 2.6%; and CRCL (Circle) up about 4%.