Current Cryptocurrency News as of 17 September 2025: Bitcoin Remains Above $115,000; Ethereum and Altcoins Continue to Rise; XRP Strengthens After SEC Victory. Overview of the Top 10 Cryptocurrencies and Key Regulatory Changes.
The cryptocurrency market maintains an upward trend as we reach mid-September 2025. The total market capitalisation has approached $4.1 trillion, nearly double what it was a year ago. Institutional capital inflow and a favourable macroeconomic environment are bolstering demand for crypto assets. Bitcoin remains above $115,000, while Ethereum is trading around $4,500 after recent record highs. Market participants are cautiously optimistic, anticipating a potential easing of monetary policy and further integration of digital assets into the traditional financial system.
Bitcoin and the Macroeconomy: Holding Strong
The market leader, Bitcoin, is currently trading around $115,000 after reaching an all-time high of approximately $124,000 in August. Following a correction of around 10% from its peak at the end of summer, Bitcoin has rebounded by about 7% in September. This price level is almost double the value from a year ago, reflecting the high attractiveness of BTC amidst limited supply.
A key factor influencing Bitcoin's dynamics is monetary policy. Today, 17 September, the US Federal Reserve is expected to announce its interest rate decision, with a decrease of 0.25% anticipated. This move is largely priced in, so market attention is turning to comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell regarding future actions. A dovish tone (or deeper rate cuts) could trigger a new rally for risk assets, while an unexpectedly hawkish stance may lead to a short-term correction. Overall, the prospect of rate cuts supports demand for crypto assets as alternative investment instruments.
The current rise in Bitcoin is also supported by inflows of institutional capital. Recently approved in the US, a Bitcoin spot ETF has attracted additional liquidity from traditional markets. Major public companies continue to build up their reserves of BTC as a strategic hedge. For example, MicroStrategy has accumulated approximately 638,000 BTC (around $47 billion) and remains a committed long-term holder, viewing Bitcoin as a digital equivalent of gold.
Ethereum: New Heights and Predictions
Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, reached an all-time high of around $4,950 at the end of August, surpassing the peak of 2021. Subsequently, ETH pulled back by approximately 9% and is now hovering around $4,500, a significant increase from last year's levels. Ethereum's growth is driven by high activity in decentralised finance (DeFi) and advancements in network scalability (development of layer 2 solutions).
Analysts' views on Ethereum's future trajectory are mixed. Citi forecasts a moderate decline in ETH to around ~$4,300 by the end of the year, suggesting that current prices may be partially inflated by excitement surrounding L2 solutions and tokenization. In contrast, Standard Chartered recently upgraded its forecast in August, suggesting a potential rise in ETH price to as high as $7,500 by December. Analysts noted the emergence of ETH reserves among certain public companies and the expansion of the stablecoin market following new regulatory frameworks, which they believe have significantly strengthened Ethereum's fundamental position.
XRP: Victory Over the SEC and Token Growth
One of the key events of late summer was the conclusion of the lengthy legal dispute between Ripple Labs and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In August, both parties withdrew their mutual appeals, effectively bringing closure to the 2020 case regarding XRP's status. This provided the cryptocurrency XRP with much-needed clarity, prompting a swift market response: the token surged over 10% in a single day, surpassing the $3 mark for the first time since 2018. The price peaked at around $3.3 (close to the record $3.84) before correcting to approximately $3.0. With a capitalisation rise to around ~$180 billion, XRP has ascended to the third position among cryptocurrencies, following BTC and ETH.
The removal of legal uncertainties has attracted new investors to XRP, as trading volumes and the number of large token holders have significantly increased in recent months. The Ripple ecosystem is actively promoting the use of XRP for cross-border payments, and with the resolution of legal ambiguities, the asset's prospects are being viewed positively by experts. Some banks forecast further appreciation in XRP's value; for instance, Standard Chartered anticipates a price of approximately ~$5.5 by the end of the year, considering the unique role this token plays in international payments.
Altcoin Rally: Solana, Dogecoin, and More
In tandem with the growth of the market leaders, a notable surge is also observed within the altcoin segment. One standout is Solana, whose price has skyrocketed to approximately $240, approaching historical highs. This high-performance blockchain platform has regained investor confidence. Institutional interest in Solana has surged, with major crypto fund Pantera Capital revealing a holding of SOL valued at approximately $1.1 billion, labelling Solana as the fastest and most scalable blockchain. This endorsement from industry veterans has propelled SOL's rally, raising its market capitalisation to around ~$130 billion.
The meme token Dogecoin (DOGE) has also come into the spotlight, with its price reaching approximately $0.26, having gained around 20% in the past week. This "people's" cryptocurrency has seen renewed interest amidst a combination of speculative demand and significant developments. In the US, the first exchange-traded fund tied to Dogecoin (ETF with the ticker DOJE) has been launched – a precedent-setting move for a meme token. Additionally, the Dogecoin Foundation has partnered with Bitstamp for the custodial storage of around $175 million in DOGE. These initiatives signal a growing institutionalisation of Dogecoin, although it continues to be driven largely by community sentiment. Nonetheless, DOGE's capitalisation (approximately $40 billion) firmly secures its position among the top ten cryptocurrencies.
Other leading altcoins are also strengthening. Binance's exchange token – BNB – has set a new record, exceeding $900 per coin. Despite regulatory pressures in certain jurisdictions, investors have highly valued BNB's role within the extensive Binance ecosystem (from fee discounts to projects on the BNB Chain). Additionally, platform cryptocurrencies Tron (TRX) and Cardano (ADA) are on the rise. TRX is currently around $0.35 – a record level; the Tron network is widely used for stablecoin transactions. Cardano (ADA ~$0.91) continues its technical development based on Proof-of-Stake, which bolsters community trust. The overall growth of altcoins reflects an increased investor appetite for risk as they seek potentially higher returns – although such investments are traditionally accompanied by higher volatility.
Regulation and Integration into the Financial System
The market's progress in 2025 is largely tied to the emergence of clear "rules of the game" for the industry. In the US, a law on stablecoins has been enacted, enhancing trust in this sector and establishing requirements for the reserves backing digital currencies. Consequently, the capitalisation of Tether (USDT) has surged to a record ~$170 billion, while USD Coin (USDC) has recovered to ~$72 billion following a decline in 2024. Clear regulations are attracting new participants from traditional finance into the industry and fostering infrastructure development.
In Europe, the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation is set to take effect, standardising the approach to crypto assets across all EU countries. In 2025, Japan is easing taxation for crypto investors and preparing to launch the first stablecoin pegged to the yen. Overall, the global trend is shifting from prohibitions to controlled integration of cryptocurrencies. Regulators are increasingly approving the launch of new crypto ETFs, implementing measures against financial fraud, and considering the issuance of their own central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Heightened regulation is making the market more transparent and accessible to institutional players, while also imposing additional requirements on businesses.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the largest cryptocurrency (~$115,000; capitalisation ~$2.3 trillion).
- Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest cryptocurrency, smart contract platform (~$4,500; ~$546 billion).
- XRP (XRP) – token of the Ripple payment network (~$3.0; ~$180 billion).
- Tether (USDT) – largest stablecoin pegged to the dollar (price ~$1; ~$170 billion).
- Solana (SOL) – high-speed blockchain platform (~$239; ~$130 billion).
- BNB (BNB) – exchange token of the Binance ecosystem (~$909; ~$126 billion).
- USD Coin (USDC) – second-largest stablecoin ($1; ~$72 billion).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – a "meme" cryptocurrency that has become one of the largest (~$0.26; ~$40 billion).
- Tron (TRX) – popular platform for smart contracts and stablecoins (~$0.35; ~$33 billion).
- Cardano (ADA) – blockchain platform based on the Proof-of-Stake algorithm (~$0.91; ~$32 billion).
Prospects and Sentiments
Investors in the crypto market are maintaining a cautious optimism. The anticipated decrease in interest rates and successful steps toward the crypto industry (the launch of ETFs, legalisation of stablecoins) create favourable conditions for continued market growth. At the same time, external factors – such as tightening monetary policies or technical setbacks – could dampen enthusiasm in the short term. Nonetheless, the long-term trend towards the integration of cryptocurrencies into the global financial system is gaining momentum. The industry is maturing and becoming more regulated, while its connection with traditional finance is strengthening. This allows for a cautiously optimistic evaluation of long-term prospects, provided that risk management is handled adeptly.
