Current Cryptocurrency News as of 12 December 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 in light of changing macroeconomic conditions. By the end of the week, the flagship cryptocurrency Bitcoin fell below the psychologically significant level of $90,000, responding to the US Federal Reserve's decision to lower the discount rate. Simultaneously, the majority of altcoins are facing 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 signs in the sector: institutional investors are increasing their presence, regulators in key jurisdictions are forming clearer rules of engagement, and technological updates are continuously improving blockchain infrastructure. In this article, we will closely examine the latest trends and news in the cryptocurrency world: from the dynamics of the top 10 coins to regulatory initiatives, technological breakthroughs, institutional investments, and security.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC): The largest cryptocurrency, accounting for approximately 58% of the entire market. This year, Bitcoin reached a new historical high of over $120,000 in October; however, the subsequent correction has lowered its price to around $90,000. Despite volatility, Bitcoin remains a primary indicator of market sentiment and is viewed as "digital gold" by investors.
- Ethereum (ETH): The second-largest coin by market capitalization and the leading smart contract platform. Ethereum is trading around $3,200, down from its highs in September. The Ethereum network serves as the foundation for the DeFi and NFT sectors, and the recently completed Fusaka upgrade has improved scalability and reduced fees, strengthening ETH's market position.
- Tether (USDT): The largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. With a market capitalization of around $180 billion, USDT remains a key source of liquidity on exchanges, allowing traders to park funds in a stable asset during periods of heightened volatility.
- XRP (Ripple Token): A cryptocurrency focused on fast global payments. XRP holds a position in the top 5 with a market capitalization of about $120 billion, trading at approximately $2 per token. Interest in XRP has increased this year following favourable legal news: legal disputes in the US are nearing resolution, restoring investor confidence and supporting price growth.
- Binance Coin (BNB): The native 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 increased significantly this year (around $850), maintaining its market capitalization (~$120 billion) among the leaders.
- USD Coin (USDC): The second-largest stablecoin issued by Circle, with a market capitalization of around $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 decreased in favour of USDT.
- Solana (SOL): A high-performance blockchain aimed at scalability and low fees. SOL has recovered from the dip in 2022 and re-entered the list of top coins (capitalization ~$73 billion, price around $130). The Solana ecosystem is attracting dApp developers and traders due to fast transactions, which supports demand for SOL.
- Tron (TRX): A blockchain platform known for its widespread use for stablecoins and decentralised entertainment. TRX is trading around $0.28 with a market capitalization of ~$26 billion. The Tron project is actively developing under the leadership of Justin Sun, and the network demonstrates steady transaction growth, partly due to stablecoin issuance (a significant portion of USDT issuance operates on Tron).
- Dogecoin (DOGE): The most famous "meme coin", which has transformed from a joke project into a cryptocurrency with a market capitalization of over $20 billion. DOGE is trading around $0.14. Interest in Dogecoin is supported by the community and media attention (for example, popularised by Elon Musk), yet the price remains highly volatile, reacting to internet trends and speculative demand.
- Cardano (ADA): A major blockchain platform based on a Proof-of-Stake algorithm, developing with a focus on a scientific approach. ADA is currently priced at around $0.40 (market capitalisation ~\$15 billion). In 2025, the Cardano network continued technical upgrades (e.g., scalability solutions like Hydra), yet ADA's price remains far from historical highs, reflecting intense competition in the smart contract sector.
Global Market Overview
Overall, the global cryptocurrency capitalisation hovers around $3 trillion, which is close to the record levels reached earlier in the autumn. However, in recent weeks the market has been correcting: as of the morning of 12 December, the total capitalisation has decreased by approximately 3% in the last 24 hours, with all of the top 10 coins showing declines. Bitcoin is consolidating around $90,000 following a sharp surge and subsequent retracement – investors are assessing whether the Federal Reserve's new rate cut will stimulate growth or signal caution. Notably, traditional equity indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq) reacted positively to the Federal Reserve's decision, while crypto assets partially lost value. Analysts note an increasing correlation between Bitcoin and high-tech stocks: in 2025, both markets have experienced similar rises and falls linked to changing sentiments surrounding artificial intelligence and monetary policy.
Following a record rally at the start of the year (largely driven by capital inflows on expectations of Bitcoin ETF approval and a shift to a more crypto-friendly US administration), the market has encountered a period of turbulence. The October decline, triggered by unexpected external economic measures from the US (new tariffs and geopolitical tension), resulted in the largest liquidation in history, exceeding $19 billion. Since then, Bitcoin and several altcoins have struggled to regain peak values. November marked the most significant monthly price decline since 2021, dampening the optimism of some investors.
Nevertheless, the trajectory compared to the start of the year remains positive for many crypto assets. Many altcoins, such as XRP or Solana, are trading significantly above late 2024 levels despite the current downturn, thanks to previously achieved successes (legal clarity for XRP, technological advancements in Solana, etc.). Bitcoin's dominance fluctuates around 55–60%, indicating investors' desire to hold a substantial portion of capital in the most reliable digital asset amidst market risks. Current market sentiment is characterised by cautious optimism: the "fear and greed" index for cryptocurrencies remains in the moderate fear zone, signalling that participants are awaiting further signals – from macroeconomic data to progress with the launch of new products (ETFs, institutional services) – before a confident upward trend can resume.
Regulatory News
The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in 2025 has clarified significantly, affecting the global perception of the industry:
- USA: With the administration change, 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, marking an important step for the integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system. The new SEC chair has expressed the intention to "modernise" the regulatory framework for digital assets, moving away from the previous strategy of suppression through enforcement. Legislative proposals regarding stablecoin regulation and investor protection in the crypto market are also advancing in Congress, although final approval is still pending.
- Europe: In the European Union, the comprehensive MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation is coming into force. From June 2024, requirements for stablecoin issuers were introduced, and from 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 unified and clear operating regime for the crypto business across all EU countries. EU regulators are also monitoring risks associated with crypto assets and collaborating with global organisations to develop standards (e.g., recommendations from the Financial Stability Board – FSB on crypto asset regulation).
- Asia: Major financial centres in the region continue to implement cryptocurrency initiatives. Since 2024, Hong Kong has allowed retail trading of cryptocurrencies on licensed platforms, attracting exchanges and funds that have redirected from other markets. Singapore is strengthening its status as a crypto hub with clear licensing and taxation requirements while strictly controlling money laundering. In China, the situation remains unchanged: direct trading of cryptocurrencies is prohibited, yet the country leads the development of its central bank digital currency (CBDC yuan), which by the end of 2025 covered hundreds of millions of domestic users.
- Other Regions: Many countries are updating legislation either to attract crypto investors or to shield their economies from risks. For instance, countries in the Persian Gulf (UAE, Bahrain) have special regimes for crypto businesses with low taxes, stimulating the relocation of companies. Meanwhile, several countries (Turkey, Argentina, Nigeria) have introduced stricter rules for monitoring crypto transactions amid currency crises, requiring platform registrations and reporting for large operations. Globally, regulators are increasingly coordinating: law enforcement from different countries have created joint working groups to track illegal operations involving crypto, and central banks are discussing unified approaches to monitoring stablecoins and crypto exchanges.
Technological Updates in Blockchains
- Ethereum – Fusaka Update: In early December, the Ethereum network successfully activated the Fusaka hard fork, which became the second major update in 2025. This update has increased the blockchain's base throughput (gas limit per block increased), improved interaction with layer two solutions, and added new features for optimising smart contracts. These changes are designed to reduce fees and increase transaction speeds, which are especially important amid the growing load from DeFi applications. Ethereum continues to follow its roadmap, aimed at scaling (with sharding planned for the future) and enhancing network security.
- Bitcoin and Scaling: Although the Bitcoin network did not experience 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 micropayments – has reached new highs, expanding the practical use of Bitcoin in retail payments. Furthermore, the Bitcoin community is discussing numerous improvement proposals (BIPs) aimed at increasing privacy and functionality (e.g., implementing agreements on partially signed transactions and covenant-type technologies). Concurrently, cross-chain solutions have developed: the so-called Bitcoin Ordinals and protocols for issuing tokens based on Bitcoin have demonstrated that even a conservative network can support new use cases (collectible NFTs, stablecoins on Bitcoin, etc.) without altering the base protocol.
- Other Blockchain Projects: In the altcoin sector, technological breakthroughs continue. Solana significantly improved its network stability after updates, reducing the number of failures and preparing to implement solutions for parallel transaction execution. Cardano is implementing scalability protocols (e.g., Hydra for off-chain channels), gradually increasing throughput. Polygon and other layer two projects for Ethereum (Arbitrum, Optimism) have established themselves as an integral part of the ecosystem, ensuring cheaper and faster transactions – their total value locked (TVL) in DeFi has notably increased over the year. Additionally, in 2025, new protocols combining blockchain and artificial intelligence emerged, although they are still in the early stages. Overall, the pace of technological development is not slowing down: each update enhances the effectiveness and attractiveness of crypto networks for business solutions.
Institutional Investments
- Launch of Exchange-Traded Crypto ETFs: The year 2025 has been marked by breakthroughs on traditional exchanges – in the US and several other countries, spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs began trading for the first time. Regulatory approvals (including from renowned funds like BlackRock and other management companies) have signalled a shift for large investors. In the first months of trading, these funds attracted billions of dollars – for example, capital inflows into US Bitcoin ETFs exceeded $200 million in a single day in December. The emergence of accessible exchange-traded instruments based on cryptocurrencies has increased trust among pension funds, insurance companies, and other conservative players who previously avoided direct purchases of digital assets.
- Involvement 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, trading platforms for digital assets, and analytical divisions exploring blockchain in 2025. Payment giants PayPal and Visa have integrated stablecoins: PayPal launched its own USD stablecoin for facilitating payments, while Visa commenced direct cross-border payments using Solana and USDC. These steps by traditional financial institutions indicate a growing institutional demand and recognition of cryptocurrencies as an asset class.
- Corporate and Venture Investments: Institutional acceptance is also проявляется in the corporate sector. Companies listed on the S&P 500 are increasingly including Bitcoin in their treasury reserves or investing in blockchain startups. Michael Saylor, through his firm MicroStrategy (transformed into the holding Stratégie), continues to accumulate Bitcoin reserves on the balance sheet, despite warning investors of a potential "crypto winter" following October's volatility. Venture capital in 2025 has also revived: major funds (Andreessen Horowitz, Binance Labs, etc.) have launched new investment products targeting Web3, DeFi, and AI-related crypto projects. As a result, the influx of institutional money has supported the market during downturns, providing resources for infrastructure development.
- The Role of Macro Players and States: Investments from sovereign entities deserve special attention. Sovereign wealth funds from the Middle East and Asia have made significant acquisitions over the year: from stakes in crypto exchanges to direct purchases of top 10 tokens. Some central banks (e.g., El Salvador, which is already using Bitcoin as its official currency) have increased their cryptocurrency reserves. In the US, regulators have officially permitted banks to act as custodians for crypto assets on behalf of clients, paving the way for pension and investment funds to invest more freely in digital assets through authorised banking intermediaries. These shifts indicate that institutional and even state participants are now an integral part of the crypto market.
Major Hacks and Scams
- Record Hacker Attacks: The year 2025, despite the industry's growing maturity, has become notorious for a record amount of stolen funds. In the first six months alone, hackers stole more than $2 billion in cryptocurrencies, and by year-end, this figure approached a historic high. The largest incident occurred in February when the exchange Bybit was attacked, resulting in the theft of approximately $1.5 billion in digital assets – an unprecedented sum for a single hack. Experts believe that North Korean hacker groups are behind this attack, which has become more active in 2025 and is collectively responsible for the theft of over $2 billion (the funds were then laundered through complex transaction chains and mixers).
- DeFi Vulnerabilities: Decentralised finance platforms have also regularly been targeted. Mid-year saw a series of hacks on DeFi protocols: for instance, an exploit on the popular trading platform GMX led to a loss of around $40 million, while 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 highlight the ongoing risks of smart contracts: coding errors and insufficient security audits can lead to immediate losses for users.
- Frauds and Legal Consequences: Law enforcement continues to hold creators of the largest cryptocurrency pyramids and fraudulent schemes from previous years accountable. In December, a verdict was handed down in New York against Do Kwon, co-founder of the failed Terra/Luna project: prosecutors sought a 12-year prison sentence for deceiving investors by approximately $40 billion – the collapse of Terra in 2022 triggered a chain reaction of bankruptcies (including the FTX exchange collapse) and served as a key lesson for the industry. Additionally, a global investigation into the activities of the OneCoin pyramid scheme creators and several DeFi projects suspected of misappropriating funds continues. In 2025, regulators and police in various countries significantly tightened their fight against fraudsters: dozens of arrests, the confiscation of crypto assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and the first convictions of executives from bankrupt crypto firms signalled to the market that the era of unchecked schemes is coming to an end. Nonetheless, users must remain vigilant – rug pull schemes and phishing attacks continue to occur, especially around new tokens and NFT collections.
Conclusions and Perspectives
As we approach the end of 2025, the cryptocurrency market presents a mixed picture. On one hand, impressive successes have been achieved: new price records earlier in 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 succession of shocks (both external and internal) have reminded investors of the risks associated with this asset class. In the near term, much will depend on external factors: a potential easing of monetary policy may support demand for risk assets, but continuing uncertainty surrounding the economy (including the potential "bubble" in AI company stock markets) will continue to influence sentiment in crypto.
Nevertheless, fundamental trends indicate further maturation of the sector. Institutional involvement provides greater liquidity and resilience to the market, while regulatory certainty in key regions reduces barriers for new participants. Technological innovations expand the range of cryptocurrency applications – from payments and decentralised finance to gaming and metaverse projects. Investors should maintain a balanced approach: diversifying their portfolios among leading cryptocurrencies, monitoring regulatory news and significant adoptions, and, above all, adhering to cyber security principles. As we enter 2026, the crypto market remains a dynamic and global phenomenon, capable of both surprising with rapid growth and presenting serious challenges – but it is in such conditions that new opportunities are formed for those prepared for a long-term strategy.
