Cryptocurrency News, Monday, December 29, 2025: Bitcoin Around $90K and Year-End Summary

Current Cryptocurrency News for Monday, December 29, 2025: Bitcoin and Ethereum Trends, Altcoin Movements, Top-10 Cryptocurrencies by Market Capitalization, and Key Market Trends for Investors Worldwide.

As the final days of 2025 approach, the digital asset market continues to consolidate. Bitcoin is holding steady around $88,000–$89,000 following its record growth this autumn, while leading altcoins are showing mixed but generally moderately positive dynamics. Investors are exhibiting cautious optimism, supported by a more favorable regulatory environment and active institutional players in the industry.

Cryptocurrency Market: Consolidation at Year-End

The global cryptocurrency market capitalization has approached $3 trillion, just slightly below recent record highs. In the days leading up to the holidays, a minor decline in prices (around 1–2% per day) has been observed against a backdrop of low trading volumes. Investors are acting cautiously—the “fear and greed” index for cryptocurrencies remains in the “fear” zone. Nevertheless, 2025 has shown significant long-term growth; for instance, Bitcoin surged above $126,000 in October and is now re-testing the $88,000 level. This suggests ongoing interest in crypto assets despite the December correction.

Bitcoin: Consolidation Around $90,000

The largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Bitcoin (BTC), is trading in the range of $87,000 to $88,000 (data from December 28). The market capitalization of BTC exceeds $1.7 trillion, accounting for approximately 58–59% of the total crypto market. Following record levels above $120,000 this autumn, Bitcoin has corrected but maintains support around $84,000–$88,000. Analysts suggest that breaking the psychological barrier around ~$90,000 to $91,000 could set the market's tone for early 2026. Institutional flows have been impacting trading—significant outflows have been noted from leading spot Bitcoin ETFs leading up to year-end. For instance, the largest ETF from BlackRock (IBIT) reduced its assets by nearly 5% ($2.7 billion) over a couple of weeks, indicating a rapid capital redistribution. Bitcoin's dynamics will depend on renewed capital inflows from funds and broader macroeconomic factors.

Ethereum: Strong Fundamentals, Price Lagging

The second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum (ETH), is trading around $2,950, somewhat lagging behind recent highs. Ethereum remains the primary platform for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and smart contracts, with the network significantly increasing its throughput over the past year. Recent protocol updates have improved scalability and reduced fees, driving increased activity—transaction volumes and token operations on Ethereum have reached record levels. However, ETH prices are being pressured by general market factors and capital outflows, as many holders have yet to recover losses incurred at price peaks. Experts anticipate that as Bitcoin stabilizes, interest in Ethereum will rise as investors refocus on it as a fundamental asset within the blockchain ecosystem.

Altcoins: Divergent Trends Among Leaders

Among leading altcoins, mixed dynamics are observed: some coins are confidently rising, while others are remaining stagnant. Here are some important trends in top altcoins:

• Solana (SOL) – a high-speed blockchain attracting developers due to low fees. After facing technical challenges last year, SOL has recovered and trades around $125 with a market capitalization of approximately $70 billion, maintaining its position in the top 10.
• XRP (Ripple) – the token of the Ripple payment system. In 2025, legal clarity around the status of XRP has restored investor confidence. Despite the general industry correction, XRP has exhibited relative resilience; even with overall market declines, the token continues to be in demand as a payment asset.
• Binance Coin (BNB) – the coin of the Binance exchange and BNB Chain platform. BNB is used for fee payments and boasts a vast ecosystem. Despite growing regulatory scrutiny over Binance, the coin remains robust (trading above $850) due to its numerous use cases within the ecosystem.
• Dogecoin (DOGE) and Cardano (ADA) – popular cryptocurrencies that show relatively weak dynamics towards year-end. DOGE maintains its place in the top ten due to community support, while ADA, as a scientifically-driven project, continues to enjoy a large community. Both coins have traded predominantly within narrow ranges in recent weeks, without sharp movements.
• TRON (TRX) – a blockchain focused on digital entertainment and stablecoin support. A significant portion of USDT is issued on the TRON network, giving the TRX token (trading at approximately $0.28) high demand, especially in the Asian region.

Institutional Trends: Outflows from ETFs and Corporate Accumulation

Institutional investors continue to impact the market. Throughout 2025, newly launched Bitcoin spot ETFs in the U.S. fueled interest in crypto assets, but by year-end, funds are starting to record outflows. Additionally, corporate mergers and acquisitions are on the rise: the total M&A volume in the crypto industry reached a record $8.6 billion by year-end (compared to approximately $2.2 billion in 2024). This indicates growing confidence among large players and financial organizations. Notable deals include:

• the purchase of the Deribit exchange by Coinbase for $2.9 billion (the largest acquisition in crypto sector history);
• the acquisition of NinjaTrader by Kraken exchange for $1.5 billion;
• the purchase of the crypto broker Hidden Road by Ripple for $1.25 billion.

Simultaneously, 2025 saw a boom in initial public offerings: approximately $14.6 billion was raised through IPOs (compared to merely $0.31 billion the previous year). Among notable market entries are the parent company of CoinDesk (Bullish, $1.1 billion), the issuer of the USDC stablecoin (Circle, over $1 billion), and the cryptocurrency exchange Gemini (~$0.425 billion). These transactions reflect institutional players striving for access to liquid crypto assets under tightening regulations.

Major banks are once again returning to crypto: JPMorgan is exploring crypto trading options for institutional clients, and U.S. Bank has resumed Bitcoin custody services for fund managers with the support of partner NYDIG. In the U.S., Senator Lummis noted that proposed regulations could end the practice of "de-banking" crypto firms by banks. Thus, traditional financial institutions are preparing for more active integration into the digital asset market.

Macroeconomics and Investor Sentiment

The end of December is characterized by moderately positive sentiment but with signs of caution. The weakening U.S. dollar and expectations of potential monetary easing from the Federal Reserve support demand for risk assets and "safe-haven" instruments. This week, prices for gold and silver have hit historical highs amid geopolitical tensions—a trend that is typically favorable for Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency market has already reacted to these concerns: after a minor decline, Bitcoin shows signs of recovery, reflecting its role as digital gold.

Nevertheless, sentiment indicators such as the cryptocurrency "fear and greed" index remain in the "fear" zone, indicating a restrained mood among participants. Key factors continue to be central bank rate decisions and the overall economic backdrop—the further market dynamics will depend on macroeconomic conditions. For example, the growing likelihood of the Fed cutting rates at the beginning of 2026 could stimulate capital inflows into risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Top-10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is often referred to as "digital gold" due to its limited supply. In 2025, Bitcoin reached record levels above $120,000 and is currently trading around $88,000. The market capitalization of BTC is approximately $1.7 trillion (around 58% of the entire crypto market).
2. Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest cryptocurrency and leading platform for decentralized applications (DeFi, NFTs). The ETH token is used to pay fees on the Ethereum network. At year-end, its price is around $3,000, with a market capitalization of about $350 billion (~12% of the market).
3. Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar (1 USDT ≈ $1). USDT is widely used on exchanges as a medium for exchange and holding funds. Its market capitalization is around $150 billion, reflecting the pivotal role of stablecoins in the crypto economy.
4. Binance Coin (BNB) – the native coin of the Binance exchange and BNB Chain platform. BNB is utilized for trading fee payments and serves as the "fuel" for the Binance Smart Chain network. Given Binance's expansive ecosystem, the coin ranks among the leaders in capitalization (~$100 billion), maintaining significant transaction volumes.
5. USD Coin (USDC) – one of the leading stablecoins issued by the Centre consortium (Coinbase and Circle). USDC is fully backed by reserves and is known for its high level of transparency. In 2025, it gained popularity among institutional investors, boasting a capitalization of around $60 billion.
6. XRP (Ripple) – the cryptocurrency of the Ripple payment network designed for fast interbank transfers with low fees. In 2025, legal clarity (victory in legal disputes) restored trust in XRP. The token is priced at around $2.50, with a market capitalization of about $140 billion, regaining its place among the top five.
7. Solana (SOL) – a blockchain with high throughput and low transaction costs. Solana attracts developers for DeFi and NFT applications and is seen as a strong competitor to Ethereum. SOL remains in the top 10 with a market capitalization of approximately $80 billion.
8. Cardano (ADA) – a smart contract platform with a scientifically-driven approach to development. ADA is used for staking and paying transaction fees on the Cardano blockchain. Despite slower growth, the project maintains a significant community: ADA's market capitalization is approximately $28 billion at a price of around $0.85.
9. Dogecoin (DOGE) – a well-known "meme token" created as a joke but has become a significant phenomenon. DOGE is supported by a community and notable personalities (like Elon Musk). It is used for micropayments and tipping online. Dogecoin is priced around $0.18, with a market capitalization of about $26 billion.
10. TRON (TRX) – a blockchain focused on digital entertainment and stablecoin issuance. A considerable portion of USDT and other stablecoins is distributed on the TRON network due to its high speeds and low fees. The TRX token trades around $0.30, with a market capitalization of about $27 billion.

Market Outlook for Early 2026

Analysts predict that 2026 will be marked by gradual consolidation and more stable growth in the cryptocurrency market following the tumultuous nature of 2025. The foundation is built on the achievements of the outgoing year: the launch of crypto ETFs in the U.S., the implementation of MiCA in the European Union, technological upgrades of blockchains, and increased institutional participation. These factors make the industry more mature and resilient to shocks.

At the beginning of 2026, investors will closely monitor capital inflow dynamics: a renewed net influx of funds into crypto funds and ETFs post-holidays may serve as a catalyst for a new growth phase in prices. At the same time, macro factors remain important—central bank decisions and global economic trends will determine risk appetite. With accumulated reserves of stablecoins, the market is poised for rapid liquidity as sentiment improves. Overall, cryptocurrencies are firmly integrated into the global financial system, and their trajectory in 2026 will depend on both internal technological drivers and external economic conditions.