Cryptocurrency News December 12, 2025: Bitcoin, Altcoins, Regulations, Institutional Investors

Current Cryptocurrency News as of December 12, 2025: Market Dynamics, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies, Regulatory Changes, Blockchain Technological Updates, Institutional Investments, and Key Industry Events

The global cryptocurrency market continues to exhibit high volatility amid changing macroeconomic conditions. By the end of the week, the market-leading Bitcoin fell below the psychologically significant mark of $90,000, reacting to the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to lower the interest rate. At the same time, the majority of altcoins are under pressure as investors lock in profits after a robust rally in the first half of the year and account for new risks. Nevertheless, there are positive signals in the industry: institutional investors are increasing their presence, regulators in key jurisdictions are establishing clearer rules, and technological upgrades continue to improve the blockchain infrastructure. In this article, we will take a closer look at the latest trends and news in the cryptocurrency world: from the dynamics of the top-10 coins to regulatory initiatives, technological breakthroughs, institutional inflows, and security.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC): The largest cryptocurrency, accounting for approximately 58% of the total market. This year, Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of over $120,000 in October, however, the subsequent correction brought the price down to the current level of approximately $90,000. Despite the volatility, Bitcoin remains the primary indicator of market sentiment and "digital gold" for investors.
2. Ethereum (ETH): The second-largest cryptocurrency and the leading smart contract platform. Ethereum is currently trading around $3,200, lagging behind its September peaks. The Ethereum network serves as the foundation for the DeFi and NFT sectors, and the recently completed Fusaka upgrade improved scalability and reduced fees, enhancing ETH's market position.
3. Tether (USDT): The largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. With a market capitalization of approximately $180 billion, USDT remains a key source of liquidity on exchanges, allowing traders to park funds in a stable asset during periods of increased volatility.
4. XRP (Ripple Token): A cryptocurrency focused on fast global payments. XRP remains in the top 5 with a market cap of around $120 billion, trading at about $2 per token. In 2025, interest in XRP grew following favorable legal news: legal disputes in the U.S. are nearing resolution, which restored investor confidence and contributed to price increases.
5. Binance Coin (BNB): The proprietary token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. BNB is used for paying fees and participating in the Binance Smart Chain ecosystem. Despite regulatory pressure on Binance in various countries, the price of BNB has significantly increased this year (around $850), with a market cap of about $120 billion keeping it among the market leaders.
6. USD Coin (USDC): The second-largest stablecoin issued by Circle, with a market cap of approximately $75–80 billion. USDC is positioned as a more regulated and transparent stablecoin widely used by institutional investors and on DeFi platforms, although its market share has slightly declined in favor of USDT.
7. Solana (SOL): A high-performance blockchain focused on scalability and low fees. SOL has recovered from the downturn of 2022 and re-enters the top 10 cryptocurrencies (market cap of ~$73 billion, price around $130). The Solana ecosystem attracts dApp developers and traders due to fast transactions, maintaining demand for SOL.
8. Tron (TRX): A blockchain platform known for its extensive use in stablecoins and decentralized entertainment. TRX is trading around $0.28 with a market cap of about $26 billion. The Tron project is actively developing under the leadership of Justin Sun, and the network demonstrates stable transaction growth, partially due to the issuance of stablecoins (with USDT constituting a significant part of that issuance on Tron).
9. Dogecoin (DOGE): The most recognized "meme coin," which has transformed from a humorous project into a cryptocurrency with a market cap of over $20 billion. DOGE is trading at around $0.14. Interest in Dogecoin is supported by its community and media attention (for example, popularized by Elon Musk), although its price remains extremely volatile, responding to internet trends and speculative demand.
10. Cardano (ADA): A large blockchain platform based on the Proof-of-Stake algorithm, developing with an emphasis on a scientific approach. ADA is valued at around $0.40 (market cap ~ $15 billion). In 2025, the Cardano network continued its technical updates (such as scaling solutions for Hydra), though the price of ADA remains far from historical highs, reflecting fierce competition in the smart contract sector.

Global Market Overview

Overall, the global cryptocurrency market capitalization is holding steady around $3 trillion, close to record levels reached earlier in the fall. However, in recent weeks the market has seen corrections: as of the morning of December 12, the total capitalization decreased by approximately 3% over 24 hours, with all top 10 coins showing declines. Bitcoin is consolidating around $90,000 after a sharp surge and subsequent pullback – investors are assessing whether the Fed's new rate cut will stimulate growth or signal caution. Notably, traditional stock indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq) responded to the Fed's decision with gains, while crypto assets, on the contrary, partially lost value. Analysts note an increasing correlation between Bitcoin and high-tech stocks: in 2025, both markets experienced similar rises and falls tied to changes in sentiment surrounding artificial intelligence and monetary policy.

Following a record rally at the beginning of the year (largely fueled by capital inflows on expectations of Bitcoin ETF approvals and a shift in the U.S. administration toward a more crypto-friendly stance), the market has encountered a period of turbulence. The October decline, triggered by unexpected external economic measures from the U.S. (new tariffs and geopolitical tensions), led to the largest liquidation of positions in history, totaling over $19 billion. Since then, Bitcoin and a number of altcoins have struggled to return to peak levels. November was marked by the most significant monthly decline in prices since 2021, which dampened the optimism of some investors.

Nevertheless, the performance compared to the beginning of the year remains positive for many crypto assets. Many altcoins, such as XRP or Solana, despite the current pullback, are trading significantly above the levels seen at the end of 2024 due to previously achieved successes (legal clarity for XRP, technological achievements for Solana, etc.). Bitcoin's dominance hovers around 55-60%, indicating investors' desire to retain a significant portion of capital in the most reliable digital asset amid market risks. Current market sentiment is characterized by cautious optimism: the "fear and greed" index for cryptocurrencies remains in the moderate fear zone, signaling that participants expect further signals – from macroeconomic data to advances with the launch of new products (ETFs, institutional services) – before a confident upward trend resumes.

Regulatory News

The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies in 2025 has significantly clarified, influencing the global perception of the industry:

• U.S.: Under a new administration, regulators are easing their approach to the crypto industry. In December, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved the launch of exchange-traded spot crypto products for the first time, a significant step towards integrating cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system. The new SEC chairman expressed a desire to "modernize" the regulatory framework for digital assets, moving away from the previous strategy of suppression through enforcement. Additionally, legislation on stablecoin regulation and protecting investors in the crypto market is being pushed through Congress, although final approval is still ahead.
• Europe: The comprehensive MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation comes into effect in the European Union. As of June 2024, requirements were introduced for stablecoin issuers, and by December 2024, rules for crypto exchanges and custodians will be implemented. In 2025, European companies are actively obtaining licenses under the new rules, creating a clear operational framework for the crypto business across all EU countries. EU regulatory bodies are also monitoring risks associated with crypto assets and collaborating with global organizations to develop standards (for example, recommendations from the Financial Stability Board – FSB regarding crypto asset regulations).
• Asia: Major financial centers in the region continue to implement cryptocurrency initiatives. Hong Kong allowed retail cryptocurrency trading on licensed platforms starting in 2024, attracting exchanges and funds shifted from other markets. Singapore enhances its status as a crypto hub through clear licensing requirements and taxation, while maintaining strict controls against money laundering. In China, the situation remains unchanged: direct trading in cryptocurrencies is prohibited, but the country leads in developing its central bank digital currency (CBDC), which by the end of 2025 had reached hundreds of millions of domestic users.
• Other Regions: Many countries are updating legislation to either attract crypto investors or shield their economies from risks. For example, in Gulf states (UAE, Bahrain), special regimes for crypto businesses with low taxes stimulate company relocation. Meanwhile, several countries (Turkey, Argentina, Nigeria) have implemented stricter controls over crypto transactions amid currency crises, requiring platform registrations and reporting on large operations. Globally, regulators are increasingly coordinating: law enforcement agencies from different countries have created joint working groups to track illegal operations with cryptocurrencies, while central banks discuss unified approaches to regulating stablecoins and crypto exchanges.

Blockchain Technological Updates

• Ethereum – Fusaka Upgrade: In early December, the Ethereum network successfully activated the Fusaka hard fork, becoming the second major upgrade in 2025. This update increased the base capacity of the blockchain (gas limit per block was raised), improved compatibility with second-layer solutions, and added new functionalities for optimizing smart contracts. These changes aim to reduce fees and increase transaction speeds, which is especially important given the growing load from DeFi applications. Ethereum continues to follow its roadmap, aimed at scaling (with future sharding) and enhancing network security.
• Bitcoin and Scaling: Although the Bitcoin network did not have major hard forks in 2025, the ecosystem around it has been actively developing. The capacity of the Lightning Network – a second-layer solution for fast microtransactions – reached new highs, expanding the practical use of Bitcoin in retail payments. Additionally, the Bitcoin community is discussing a range of Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) aimed at increasing privacy and functionality (for instance, implementing agreements for partially signed transactions and technologies such as covenants). Concurrently, cross-chain solutions have developed: so-called Bitcoin Ordinals and protocols for issuing tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain have shown that even a conservative network can support new cases (collectible NFTs, stablecoins on Bitcoin, etc.) without altering the underlying protocol.
• Other Blockchain Projects: Technological breakthroughs continue in the altcoin sector. Solana significantly improved its network stability after updates, reducing system failures, and is preparing to implement a solution for parallel transaction execution. Cardano is implementing scalability protocols (like Hydra for off-chain channels), gradually increasing throughput. Polygon and other level 2 projects for Ethereum (Arbitrum, Optimism) have established themselves as integral parts of the ecosystem, providing cheaper and faster transactions – their total value locked (TVL) in DeFi has significantly grown over the year. Additionally, new protocols that combine blockchain and artificial intelligence emerged in 2025, although they are still in early stages. Overall, the pace of technological development remains brisk: each upgrade enhances the efficiency and appeal of crypto-networks for business solutions.

Institutional Investments

• Launch of Exchange-Traded Crypto ETFs: The year 2025 was marked by breakthroughs on traditional exchanges – in the U.S. and several other countries, the first spot Bitcoin ETFs and Ethereum ETFs began trading. Regulatory approvals (including the renowned BlackRock fund and other asset managers) send a signal to large investors. In the first months of trading, these funds attracted billions of dollars – for example, capital inflows into American Bitcoin ETFs exceeded $200 million on one of the days in December. The emergence of accessible exchange-based cryptocurrency instruments has increased confidence from pension funds, insurance companies, and other conservative players who previously avoided direct purchases of digital assets.
• Participation of Banks and Financial Companies: Major Wall Street banks and international financial corporations are expanding their presence in the crypto sector. Many banks launched cryptocurrency custody services for clients in 2025, trading platforms for digital assets, and analytical departments investigating blockchain. Payment giants PayPal and Visa have integrated stablecoins: PayPal launched its own USD stablecoin to facilitate payments, while Visa has started conducting cross-border payments using the Solana network and USDC. These moves by traditional financial institutions indicate a growing institutional demand and recognition of cryptocurrencies as an asset class.
• Corporate and Venture Investments: Institutional adoption is also manifested in the corporate sector. S&P 500 companies are increasingly including Bitcoin in their treasury reserves or investing in blockchain startups. Michael Saylor, through his firm MicroStrategy (restructured into the holding Stratégie), continues to increase his Bitcoin reserves on the balance sheet, although he has warned investors of a potential "crypto winter" following October's volatility. Venture capital in 2025 also revived: major funds (Andreessen Horowitz, Binance Labs, etc.) have launched new investment products targeting Web3, DeFi, and AI crypto projects. As a result, the influx of institutional money has supported the market during downturns and provided resources for infrastructure development.
• The Role of Macro Players and States: The investments from sovereign structures deserve special attention. Sovereign wealth funds from the Middle East and Asia made significant purchases throughout the year: from stakes in crypto exchanges to direct purchases of top-10 tokens. Some central banks (like El Salvador, which has already adopted Bitcoin as legal tender) have increased their cryptocurrency reserves. In the U.S., regulators have officially permitted banks to act as custodians of crypto-assets for clients, paving the way for pension and investment funds to allocate more freely into digital assets through authorized banking intermediaries. These shifts indicate that institutional and even state players are now an integral part of the cryptocurrency market.

Major Hacks and Scams

• Record Hacker Attacks: The year 2025, despite the industry's growing maturity, became infamous for the record volume of stolen funds. In just the first six months, attackers stole cryptocurrencies worth over $2 billion, and at the end of the year, this figure approached historical highs. The largest incident occurred in February when the Bybit exchange was attacked, resulting in approximately $1.5 billion in digital assets being withdrawn – an unprecedented sum for a single hack. Experts believe that this attack was orchestrated by North Korean hacker groups, which increased their activity in 2025 and were responsible for the theft of over $2 billion (the funds were then laundered through complex transaction chains and mixers).
• DeFi Vulnerabilities: Decentralized finance platforms also regularly became targets. In the middle of the year, a series of hacks of DeFi protocols occurred: for instance, an exploit on the popular trading platform GMX resulted in a loss of around $40 million, and the Indian exchange CoinDCX reported a leak of $44 million due to an insider vulnerability. In July, the total damage from the five largest DeFi hacks exceeded $130 million. These events underline the persistent risks of smart contracts: coding errors and insufficient security audits can lead to immediate losses for users.
• Fraud and Legal Outcomes: Law enforcement continues to hold accountable the creators of significant cryptocurrency pyramid schemes and fraudulent setups from previous years. In December, a verdict was issued in New York against Do Kwon, co-founder of the failed Terra/Luna project: prosecutors sought a 12-year prison sentence for defrauding investors of approximately $40 billion – the collapse of Terra in 2022 triggered a chain reaction of bankruptcies (including the fall of the FTX exchange) and became one of the key lessons for the industry. Additionally, global investigations into the activities of the creators of OneCoin and several DeFi projects suspected of laundering funds are ongoing. In 2025, regulators and police across countries overtly intensified their battle against fraudsters: dozens of arrests, the seizure of crypto assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and the first sentences for top managers of bankrupt crypto firms communicated to the market that the era of uncontrolled schemes is ending. Nevertheless, users should remain vigilant – rug pull schemes and phishing attacks continue to occur, particularly around new tokens and NFT collections.

Conclusions and Prospects

By the end of 2025, the cryptocurrency market is exhibiting a mixed picture. On one hand, impressive achievements have been made: new price records at the beginning of the year, the integration of digital assets into traditional finance through ETFs and banking services, as well as technological progress enhancing the reliability and scalability of blockchains. On the other hand, high volatility and a series of shocks (both external and internal) have reminded investors of the risks associated with this asset class. In the near future, much will depend on external factors: a loosening of monetary policy could support demand for riskier assets, but the ongoing uncertainty regarding the economy (including the potential of a "bubble" in the AI stocks market) will continue to influence sentiments in crypto.

Nevertheless, fundamental trends point to further maturation of the industry. Institutional involvement provides the market with greater liquidity and stability, while regulatory clarity in key regions lowers barriers for new participants. Technological innovations expand the utility of cryptocurrencies – from payments and decentralized finance to gaming and metaverse projects. Investors should maintain a balanced approach: diversify their portfolios among leading cryptocurrencies, track news on regulations and major integrations, and most importantly, adhere to cybersecurity principles. As we enter 2026, the crypto market remains a dynamic and global phenomenon, capable of surprising with rapid growth while also presenting serious challenges – but it is precisely under such conditions that new opportunities arise for those who are prepared for a long-term strategy.