The Cryptocurrency Market Stabilises After Correction: Bitcoin Holds at $100,000, Ethereum Prepares for Network Upgrade, and the Top 10 Cryptocurrencies Maintain Their Positions. Market Analysis and Forecasts for Investors on 16 November 2025.
As of the morning of 16 November 2025, the cryptocurrency market is attempting to find equilibrium following a recent correction. After a rapid rally in October, a downturn ensued, prompting investors to exercise caution: some have realised profits while others are using the price decline to acquire promising assets. The macroeconomic backdrop remains tense— the Federal Reserve's hawkish stance is intensifying pressure on digital assets. Nevertheless, the fundamental factors of the crypto market remain positive: institutional investors are not losing interest in the sector, while technological upgrades and improved regulation provide a foundation for future growth.
Key Market Indicators for Today:
- Total cryptocurrency market capitalisation ~ $3.3 trillion (the lowest in 6 months).
- Bitcoin's share of the total capitalisation ~ 55%.
- Fear and Greed Index ~ 25 points (fear mode).
Bitcoin: Holding the Key Level
The flagship cryptocurrency Bitcoin (BTC) entered a much-anticipated correction after reaching record highs in early October (up to ~$125,000). This week, BTC briefly fell below the psychological threshold of $100,000, hitting a short-term low of around $95,000. Currently, Bitcoin is consolidating within a range of $97,000 to $100,000, trying to maintain levels above the six-figure mark. The pressure on BTC relates to a general retreat of investors from riskier assets: expectations of an interest rate decrease from the Federal Reserve in December have nearly evaporated, eliminating one of the crucial growth drivers. However, long-term holders remain confident—many major investors view this dip as an opportunity to replenish their reserves of "digital gold." Bitcoin's dominance in the market (approximately 55% of the capitalisation) underscores its role as the primary indicator: BTC's ability to hold current levels is seen as a condition for the recovery of the entire crypto market.
Ethereum: Correction Ahead of Network Upgrade
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Ethereum (ETH), also retreated in price following Bitcoin's movement. After rising to around ~$3,900 in October, the price of Ether has dropped by approximately 15-20%. In early November, ETH briefly fell below $3,100 (the lowest in several months) before recovering to around $3,200. Although this is below its historical peak of 2021 (~$4,867), Ether remains the second-largest cryptocurrency. Expectations surrounding significant events are supporting interest in ETH: a major network upgrade aimed at enhancing scalability and reducing fees is scheduled for early December, and the sector anticipates the approval of the first spot ETF for Ether in the US by year-end. Previously, these factors spurred capital inflow, even though over $1.4 billion was withdrawn from Ethereum funds in recent weeks amidst negative sentiment. The Ethereum community hopes that a successful upgrade and the appearance of the ETF will strengthen Ether's position in the DeFi segment despite the current correction.
Altcoins: General Market Decline
Most of the largest altcoins mirrored Bitcoin's downward movement. Following record highs in early autumn, many top-10 tokens have pulled back by 10-20% or more. For instance, Ripple (XRP), which recently climbed above $3 following the company's court victory against the SEC, is now trading around $2.4. Nevertheless, XRP remains among the market leaders thanks to the legal clarity regarding the token's status and expectations surrounding the launch of ETFs. Binance Coin (BNB) has dropped from autumn highs (~$950) to around $900 but continues to rank amongst the top five— the token is continually used for fees and access to Binance services, despite regulatory pressures. Significant corrections have been seen in Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA): SOL has retraced from ~$200 to ~$150, while ADA has fallen from ~$1 to ~$0.5. However, both projects retain their positions in the top 10 due to large communities and the potential of their blockchain platforms.
Institutional Interest Persists
Major investors and financial organisations continue to show interest in cryptocurrencies, despite the recent price declines. The year 2025 has brought historic changes: the first spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have begun trading in the US, opening access to crypto assets for a broad range of traditional investors. In recent weeks, some funds have locked in profits, yet new products are entering the market attracting capital simultaneously. New index ETFs covering multiple coins are being launched, expanding investment diversification opportunities. Applications for new ETFs—including those for XRP and Solana—continue to be submitted to regulators, demonstrating institutional intent to broaden their presence in the sector. Analysts emphasise that the influx of professional capital remains one of the key growth drivers.
Regulation: The US and Europe
Regulatory uncertainty is gradually diminishing, bolstering investor confidence in the industry. In the US, significant strides have been made over the past two years: spot Bitcoin ETFs have been launched, Congress has passed a law regulating stablecoins, and the new SEC leadership has taken a more favourable stance. The regulator has withdrawn some lawsuits against leading crypto exchanges and stated that only a small fraction of tokens fall under the definition of securities. The administration of President Donald Trump has also demonstrated a willingness to engage in dialogue— at the end of October, it announced a pardon for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), signalling a compromise for the market. Meanwhile, in the European Union, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation came into effect at the beginning of 2025, introducing uniform rules for the crypto industry across EU countries. Collectively, these changes in the US and Europe indicate the growing maturity of the crypto industry and create more transparent working conditions, which may eventually attract new institutional players to the market.
Top 10 Cryptocurrencies Today
- Bitcoin (BTC) — ~$97,000, largest cryptocurrency (≈55% of the market). BTC sets the tone for the entire crypto market, serving as a primary indicator of sentiment.
- Ethereum (ETH) — ~$3,200, second-largest cryptocurrency (≈13% of the market). A foundational platform for DeFi and smart contracts, Ether has strengthened its position with the transition to PoS; expected upgrades maintain interest in ETH.
- Tether (USDT) — ~$1.00, largest stablecoin (≈$160 billion capitalisation). Pegged to the dollar 1:1 and widely used for trading and hedging in the market, maintaining price stability.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — ~$900, token of the Binance ecosystem (top 5 by capitalisation). Used for fee payments and services on Binance platforms. Despite regulatory pressure, the coin retains its leadership positions.
- USD Coin (USDC) — ~$1.00, second-largest stablecoin (~$75 billion). Fully backed by USD reserves, it enjoys the trust of institutional investors for transactions and value preservation.
- Ripple (XRP) — ~$2.4, token for global payments. After winning the dispute with SEC, XRP corrected from $3 but remains one of the largest crypto assets.
- Solana (SOL) — ~$150, high-speed blockchain project. SOL has significantly grown in 2025 amid ecosystem expansion (DeFi, NFT). Following a retreat, the coin is trading close to the highs of recent years.
- Cardano (ADA) — ~$0.50, blockchain platform with a focus on scientific approach. ADA ranks in the top 10 due to high capitalisation and community support, although its price is far from record levels (peak around $3 in 2021).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — ~$0.16, the original "meme coin". DOGE remains among the largest cryptocurrencies due to its loyal community and periodic media attention, although its price is highly volatile.
- TRON (TRX) — ~$0.30, token of the TRON platform for decentralised services. TRX is popular in Asia and is actively used for issuing stablecoins, helping it stay in the top tier of leaders.
Perspectives and Forecasts
The cryptocurrency market, following a tumultuous rise and sharp correction, is experiencing a period of consolidation. On one hand, the impressive surge of Bitcoin and key altcoins in 2025 has solidified faith in a long-term upward trend: even considering the recent downturn, many assets are trading above their levels at the start of the year, attracting new investors. Institutional involvement and regulatory progress have made the industry more mature and resilient. On the other hand, short-term risks persist. High interest rates and macroeconomic uncertainty may continue to limit risk appetite, sustaining volatility. Experts believe the market needs fresh drivers—be they changes in central bank policies or technological breakthroughs—to initiate a new confident rally.
Many analysts maintain optimism: after the consolidation phase, cryptocurrencies are capable of resuming growth. For instance, several forecasts point to Bitcoin targets in the region of $150,000 to $200,000 by 2026 and new historical peaks for Ethereum. At the same time, cautious observers do not rule out prolonged stagnation or further price declines if negative sentiment persists. In such a scenario, investors are advised to adhere to risk management principles: diversify their portfolios, invest with a long-term outlook, and avoid succumbing to excessive euphoria.
