Cryptocurrency News December 25, 2025 – Bitcoin, Altcoins, and the Global Market

Current Cryptocurrency News for Thursday, December 25, 2025: Bitcoin Holds at $87,000, Altcoins Under Pressure, Institutional Investors Maintain Interest, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies.

As of the morning of December 25, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is experiencing relative stability after the volatile fluctuations of recent days. Bitcoin is holding around $87,000, consolidating after a significant autumn correction. Ethereum and most major altcoins are trading slightly lower, remaining under pressure amid cautious investor sentiment. The total market capitalization of the cryptocurrency sector hovers around $3 trillion. Despite the temporary cooling of the market, institutional participants continue to show interest in digital assets, bolstering long-term confidence in the industry.

Market Overview: Consolidation and Pressure on Altcoins

This week, Bitcoin (BTC) is consolidating in the mid $80,000 range, holding a key support level around $85,000. Mid-week, BTC prices attempted to rise toward $90,000, but the momentum quickly waned – signaling a fading of the pre-New Year rally. Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) has stabilized around $3,000, trying to recover from the decline experienced at the end of autumn. Many large altcoins—from Binance Coin to Solana—remain under pressure: their prices have decreased by 1-3% in recent days, leading to a small increase in Bitcoin's share of the overall market capitalization (up to ~58%). Some technical indicators suggest that certain altcoins are oversold, allowing for the possibility of short-term bounces. Overall, the cryptocurrency market is balancing between caution and hopes for growth: low liquidity during the holiday season exacerbates volatility, and participants are closely monitoring external factors, including decisions by global central banks. On the other hand, ongoing institutional inflows (as detailed below) instill moderate optimism and help the market avoid a deeper decline.

Bitcoin Post-Peak: Searching for Balance

In 2025, Bitcoin experienced an impressive rise followed by a correction. In early October, BTC reached an all-time high, surpassing $126,000, but then the market encountered a sharp retreat of over 30%. Currently, the first cryptocurrency is holding around $87,000, substantially lower than its peak level but still close to values from the end of last year. Bitcoin's market capitalization is estimated at approximately $1.7 trillion, accounting for around 57-58% of the total cryptocurrency market cap. Bitcoin remains the primary "barometer" of the digital market and is regarded by many institutional investors as a store of value over the long term. Experts note that on a short-term basis, a firm breach of the $90,000 level is needed for BTC to continue its growth, while the $85,000 zone serves as near-term support. Breaking this level may intensify downward pressure down to the psychological mark of $80,000; conversely, a recovery above $90,000 would signal market stabilization. Despite recent weaknesses, fundamental factors—limited issuance (21 million BTC) and institutional interest—continue to favor the largest cryptocurrency.

Ethereum and Leading Altcoins: Mixed Dynamics

Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest digital asset, is attempting to recover from the autumn slump. The current price of ETH remains around $2,900, which is below the levels seen in early November (previously, Ethereum was confidently trading above $3,200). Nonetheless, Ethereum continues to hold about 12% of the market and remains a foundational platform for DeFi and NFT ecosystems, solidifying its position with the transition to a Proof-of-Stake algorithm. Other major altcoins have shown mixed dynamics in recent weeks. For instance, Solana (SOL) has pulled back to around $120 after a rapid rise in the first half of the year (earlier in December, SOL surpassed $130). Binance Coin (BNB) is holding around $835, demonstrating relative stability despite legal risks surrounding the Binance exchange. The XRP token, after a summer surge following Ripple's victory over the SEC, is now trading around $1.85 without a clearly defined trend. Meanwhile, riskier coins are suffering more: for example, the NFT token sector collectively dropped over 9% in the last week. A noticeable trend at the end of the year is the rotation of capital from altcoins back into Bitcoin and Ethereum, reflecting investors' desire to reduce risks. Analysts do not rule out that if sentiment improves, some funds may return to quality altcoins; however, until global uncertainty decreases, Bitcoin's dominance is likely to remain elevated.

Institutional Investments and ETF Funds

One of the main trends of 2025 has been the strengthening presence of large investors in the crypto market. In the U.S., after a long wait, the first spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Bitcoin and Ethereum were launched, making it easier for institutional players to access digital assets. Over the year, these funds attracted billions of dollars; however, by the end of December, there are signs of profit-taking. For instance, as per reports, on December 23, the cumulative outflow from U.S. spot ETFs on Bitcoin was about $188 million, and from Ether ETFs—around $95 million in a single day. Nonetheless, large organizations are not retreating from long-term plans in cryptocurrency. For example, global investment giant BlackRock announced the expansion of its digital asset team, opening new vacancies in New York, London, and Singapore—this move indicates a strategic vision for the industry's prospects. Moreover, new exchange products are in development: regulators are considering applications for launching ETFs for other cryptocurrencies (including Solana and Cardano), reflecting a further expansion of institutional interest in the market.

Regulation and Global Factors

The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in 2025 has significantly evolved worldwide. In the United States, after several years of uncertainty, progress has been made: authorities have provided clearer explanations regarding the status of digital assets, and a judicial precedent in the XRP case has clarified the boundaries of SEC control. Furthermore, the U.S. administration has shown interest in the sector (discussions have taken place regarding the potential formation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve and allowing pension funds to invest in crypto assets). The European Union implemented comprehensive rules in 2025 (MiCA Regulation) aimed at standardizing oversight of the industry and enhancing transaction transparency. In major Asian jurisdictions—from Singapore to Hong Kong—regulatory standards continue to be implemented, balancing the encouragement of innovation with investor protection. Despite a general rise in certainty, regulatory pressure on the industry persists: for example, major crypto exchanges still face demands for stricter controls and reporting. Simultaneously, security incidents (including a recent hack on the prediction platform Polymarket) remind us of risks, prompting regulators to increase focus on consumer protection. In summary, the global picture is mixed: on one hand, clearer rules attract institutional participants, while on the other, the market must adapt to new requirements to achieve sustainable growth.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

Despite current fluctuations, investors continue to focus primarily on the top ten digital assets, which largely set the tone for the entire market. As of December 25, 2025, the following cryptocurrencies are among the top 10 by market capitalization:

1. Bitcoin (BTC) - The first and largest cryptocurrency, often referred to as “digital gold.” BTC has a fixed supply limit of 21 million coins and remains a key indicator of market sentiment (≈58% of total capitalization). Due to its status as a safe-haven asset, Bitcoin attracts significant institutional investments as a store of value.
2. Ethereum (ETH) - The leading altcoin and smart contract platform underlying the DeFi and NFT ecosystems. Ethereum securely holds the second position by capitalization (~12% of the market) and transitioned to an energy-efficient Proof-of-Stake algorithm in 2022, enhancing its appeal as the "digital oil" of the blockchain industry.
3. Tether (USDT) - The largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT ensures high liquidity for trading on cryptocurrency exchanges, enabling participants to quickly convert capital to and from dollar equivalents for transactions and to hedge against volatility. The market capitalization of USDT is approximately $150 billion; the coin reliably holds a price around $1.00.
4. Binance Coin (BNB) - The native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and related BNB Chain blockchain. BNB is used to pay for transaction fees on the exchange and participate in ecosystem services (Launchpad, DeFi applications, etc.), helping it maintain its position among market leaders. Despite regulatory pressures facing Binance in several countries, the token’s broad range of applications supports its demand and ranking in the top 5.
5. Ripple (XRP) - The token of the Ripple payment network designed for fast cross-border transactions between banks. XRP gained heightened attention following Ripple's legal victory over the SEC: a U.S. court confirmed that the sale of XRP does not violate securities laws. The resolution of this uncertainty strengthened XRP’s market position (the token's capitalization is estimated at approximately $110 billion), though its price still remains significantly below historical highs.
6. USD Coin (USDC) - The second-largest stablecoin issued by the Centre consortium (Circle and Coinbase) and fully backed by reserves in dollars. USDC enjoys trust among institutional investors due to regular audits of reserves and transparency. The coin is widely used for payments, trading, and in the DeFi sector as a reliable digital equivalent of the U.S. dollar.
7. Solana (SOL) - A high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications (dApps), known for its high transaction speeds and low fees. After the 2022 crisis, Solana managed to regain a significant market share in 2025: new DeFi and NFT projects have been launched on its platform, and the expected approval of the first ETF on SOL boosts investor interest. A slight price correction at the end of the year did not prevent SOL from retaining its position among the largest crypto assets.
8. TRON (TRX) - A blockchain platform primarily popular in Asia, used for creating smart contracts, entertainment content, and issuing stablecoins. TRX maintains its place in the top 10 due to steady growth in its user base and the development of decentralized applications on the platform. A significant portion of USDT is also issued on the TRON blockchain, further supporting the demand for this network and its token.
9. Dogecoin (DOGE) - The most famous meme cryptocurrency that originated as an internet joke. Despite its initial parody nature, DOGE has become a significant asset due to its devoted community and periodic endorsements by well-known entrepreneurs (e.g., Elon Musk) on social media. The volatility of Dogecoin remains high, but its widespread recognition and network effect allow it to remain among the largest coins, demonstrating sustained investor interest.
10. Cardano (ADA) - A blockchain platform for smart contracts developed based on academic research and code verification. ADA boasts one of the most active communities and maintains a spot in the top ten, although the actual implementation of applications on its platform is progressing slower than expected. The project attracts long-term investors looking for reliability and scalability of the network in the future.

Cryptocurrency Market on the Morning of December 25, 2025

The prices of major cryptocurrencies are as follows:

• Bitcoin (BTC): $86,800
• Ethereum (ETH): $2,920
• XRP (XRP): $1.85
• BNB (BNB): $830
• Solana (SOL): $121
• Tether (USDT): ₽85.00

Market indicators:

• Total market capitalization of the cryptocurrency market: $3.02 trillion
• Bitcoin dominance: 58.1%
• Fear and Greed Index: 27 (fear)

Leaders of change over the past 24 hours:

• Gainer: Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) — +31%
• Loser: ApeCoin (APE) — -9%

Analysis: Bitcoin and Ethereum are demonstrating relative stability at current levels, while market sentiment remains cautious (the fear index confirms a predominance of caution among investors). The sharp rise of the lesser-known token QRL indicates that even in a calm market, certain projects with strong news backgrounds can attract speculative interest. Conversely, the drop in the price of ApeCoin underscores the weakness of the NFT sector amid profit-taking and decreasing excitement. In the context of low trading volumes and holidays, market participants prefer to diversify risks while awaiting new drivers for more definitive price movements.