Current Cryptocurrency News as of 18 November 2025: Bitcoin Consolidates Around $100,000, Ethereum Prepares for Network Upgrade, Altcoins Under Pressure, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies, and Analyst Predictions for Investors.
As of the morning of 18 November 2025, the global cryptocurrency market is attempting to find equilibrium following recent volatility and corrections. Bitcoin has managed to recover some losses and is trading near the psychologically significant mark of $100,000, maintaining the total market capitalisation of the crypto market at around $3.2 trillion. Ethereum is holding its current price level amidst expectations of a significant network upgrade, while altcoin dynamics remain heterogeneous. Investors are still closely monitoring macroeconomic signals: the "fear and greed" index is residing in the "fear" zone (~25–30 points), reflecting cautious sentiment. In these conditions, the primary focus is on whether Bitcoin can consolidate within the six-figure price range and whether an improvement in sentiment will spark a new rally in the altcoin market.
Bitcoin: Struggle for the Psychological Threshold
The flagship cryptocurrency Bitcoin (BTC) experienced an impressive rise to a new all-time high (~$125,000) in October, followed by an anticipated correction. Last week, the pressure on BTC peaked: the price briefly fell to ~$95,000, breaking below the psychological level of $100,000 for the first time since May. By the second half of November, Bitcoin is attempting to stabilise and is currently consolidating within the ~$95,000–$100,000 range, eager to regain positions above this crucial mark. Bitcoin’s market dominance stands at around 58% of the total market capitalisation, underscoring its role as a primary indicator of sentiment in the crypto sector. Analysts note that the recent decline was largely due to a global pullback by investors from risky assets, amid signals from the US Federal Reserve about maintaining high interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty. Nonetheless, large holders and institutional investors continue to demonstrate confidence, viewing the current dip as an opportunity to increase positions in "digital gold" at lower prices. Observers emphasise that Bitcoin's approximately 25% drop from its peak is characteristic of a healthy correction rather than the end of a market cycle, with some experts identifying the ~$94,000 area as a likely "bottom" for this decline. The market’s focal point is whether Bitcoin can maintain six-figure levels and resume an upward trend by year-end, or if consolidation will extend following the recent rally.
Ethereum: Anticipation for Network Upgrade
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Ethereum (ETH), is moving in line with overall market trends, maintaining a price around ~$3,150 following a recovery from November’s lows. In October, Ether reached approximately ~$3,900, but similarly to Bitcoin, it declined by about 15-20%, dropping below $3,100 in early November (a multi-month low). Currently, Ether has regained some losses and is trading around ~$3,200, still below its all-time high of 2021 (~$4,800). Despite the correction, interest in Ethereum is sustained by anticipation of important events: a major network upgrade aimed at enhancing scalability and reducing fees is scheduled for early December. Additionally, the industry is expecting the approval of the first spot ETH ETF in the US by year-end—this move could attract new institutional capital to ETH. The fundamental indicators of the Ethereum network remain strong: the ecosystem of decentralised finance (DeFi) and NFTs continues to expand, and the transition to Proof-of-Stake and related improvements have solidified Ethereum's position as the foundational "digital infrastructure" of the crypto market. If the upgrade is successful and the market environment is favourable, Ether stands a good chance of reclaiming lost ground and nearing new highs.
Altcoins: Mixed Market Dynamics
The altcoin segment in mid-November displays heterogeneous trends. Many of the largest alternative coins followed Bitcoin down during the recent correction, but the situation is gradually stabilising: some altcoins are attempting to recover their losses, while others continue to stagnate. For instance, Ripple (XRP) experienced a significant surge in the autumn (the token briefly exceeded $3 for the first time since 2018 following Ripple's legal victory against the SEC) but pulled back and is currently hovering around ~$2.2. Despite the dip, XRP remains among the leaders due to improved legal clarity regarding the token's status and interest from financial companies. Binance Coin (BNB), after reaching a record near $950, has dropped to around ~$900 but remains within the top five by capitalisation, reflecting wide utilisation of the coin within the ecosystem of the leading cryptocurrency exchange. High-cap platform tokens such as Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) also underwent corrections (SOL decreased from ~$200 to ~$130, ADA from ~$1.00 to ~$0.50) but stay within the top ten due to active communities and ongoing technological developments. At the same time, speculative niche tokens have significantly declined amid reduced excitement regarding meme coins and AI-based projects. The Bitcoin dominance index, which surged above 60% during the sell-off, remains elevated (around 58-60%), highlighting investors' cautious preference for the most reliable assets. Nevertheless, a careful rotation of capital into selected altcoins has emerged, albeit the overall market sentiment remains restrained: participants prefer established cryptocurrencies, and high volatility in the altcoin segment underscores the necessity of selectivity and stringent risk management.
Institutional Investors and New Products
Major investors and financial institutions continue to play a significant role in the cryptocurrency market, despite recent price fluctuations. The year 2025 has been marked by historic steps in integrating cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system: the first spot Bitcoin ETFs have begun trading in the US (initiatives from leading firms such as BlackRock attracted billions of dollars within weeks), while similar funds for Ethereum and other digital assets are in preparation for launch. Moreover, index ETFs covering baskets of several top coins are entering the market, simplifying diversification for large investors. New crypto fund applications continue to be submitted—mid-November saw the launch of the first spot XRP ETF in the US (an initiative by Canary Capital), highlighting institutional ambitions to expand their presence in digital assets; there are also moves towards ETFs linked to Solana and several other coins. Corporations are not standing aside either: some public companies and hedge funds have seized the opportunity presented by declining prices to increase their cryptocurrency reserves, viewing this as a strategic investment opportunity. Analysts emphasise that the influx of professional capital is one of the key market drivers, providing enhanced liquidity and bolstering participants' trust.
Regulation: The US, Europe, and Global Trends
The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrencies in 2025 is significantly improving, fostering greater trust from investors and businesses. In the United States, authorities are demonstrating a more lenient approach towards the industry: Congress is promoting legislation to establish clear rules for crypto exchanges and token issuers, while the new SEC leadership has softened its rhetoric and withdrawn several lawsuits against large crypto platforms. A landmark event was the pardoning in late October of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ)—this step was presented by the administration of President Donald Trump as a signal of readiness for compromise and dialogue with the crypto sector. Moreover, high-level discussions are underway regarding initiatives to integrate digital assets into traditional financial instruments: specifically, plans have been announced to allow cryptocurrencies to be included in 401(k) retirement savings plans, opening access to digital assets for millions of individual investors.
In Europe, by year-end, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation will come into full force, establishing unified rules for the crypto industry across all EU countries. Dozens of crypto companies have already received licenses under the new requirements, ensuring transparency in platform operations, strict standards for stablecoin reserves, and consumer protection. European regulators, however, continue to monitor risks: additional measures for oversight of global stablecoins and decentralized DeFi platforms are being discussed to prevent potential threats to financial stability. Meanwhile, progressive jurisdictions in Asia, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, are actively implementing cryptocurrency-friendly regulatory regimes, seeking to attract blockchain businesses and become global crypto hubs. Furthermore, during the recent G20 summit, leaders of the largest economies discussed the necessity of developing coordinated approaches to oversight of digital assets, confirming that the issue of cryptocurrency regulation has reached an international agenda level. Collectively, these trends indicate a gradual transformation of cryptocurrencies from a "wild" financial sector into a regulated part of the economy, paving the way for an influx of new capital and a broader range of market participants in the future.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies Today
- Bitcoin (BTC) — ~$95,000, the first and largest cryptocurrency (~57% of the total market). BTC serves as the main barometer for the entire crypto market and retains its status as "digital gold" for long-term investors. Despite the recent correction, Bitcoin has significantly grown since the beginning of the year, with interest buoyed by both institutional demand and limited supply (21 million coins).
- Ethereum (ETH) — ~$3,150, the second-largest digital asset by market capitalisation (~12% market share). This is the primary platform for smart contracts, upon which thousands of decentralised applications (DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, etc.) operate. Ethereum’s shift to Proof-of-Stake, its deflationary issuance model, and the upcoming network upgrade bolster confidence in ETH, although its price remains below historical highs.
- Tether (USDT) — ~$1.00, the largest stablecoin with a market capitalisation of about $160 billion. USDT is pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio and is used as the primary "liquidity park" on cryptocurrency exchanges. Stablecoins like Tether allow traders and investors to quickly move funds between platforms and avoid volatility, remaining a cornerstone of the market.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — ~$900, the native token of the Binance ecosystem (ranked among the top five by market capitalisation). BNB is used to pay fees on the Binance exchange and access additional services (such as participating in new token launches on the Launchpad platform). Despite regulatory challenges related to Binance’s activities in several countries, the coin maintains a strong position due to its wide range of applications and community support.
- USD Coin (USDC) — ~$1.00, the second-largest stablecoin (~$75 billion market cap). Issued by a consortium of companies led by Circle and fully backed by reserves in fiat currency held in bank accounts. USDC enjoys trust from both retail and institutional market participants, often used for payments and capital preservation within trading strategies.
- XRP (Ripple) — ~$2.2, a token used for cross-border payments within the RippleNet network. Thanks to positive court rulings in 2025, XRP has regained investor confidence and briefly climbed above $3, reaching its highest point since 2018. After the correction, XRP remains among the leaders, with a capitalisation still exceeding $90 billion, and banks and fintech companies continue to explore Ripple's solutions for expediting international transfers.
- Solana (SOL) — ~$140, a high-performance blockchain platform focused on scalable decentralised applications. SOL saw significant growth in 2025 (although it has pulled back from a recent high of ~$200) due to an expanding ecosystem: the Solana network attracted projects from the DeFi, gaming, and NFT sectors. Institutional interest and the launch of new products (including a potential ETF on SOL) help the token to remain close to multi-year highs.
- Cardano (ADA) — ~$0.50, a blockchain platform for smart contracts known for its academic approach to development. Despite a price significantly below record levels, ADA remains among the largest assets due to its substantial capitalisation and community support.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — ~$0.16, the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke. DOGE remains among the leaders due to its cult community and periodic attention from notable figures, yet it remains a highly volatile asset (capitalisation around $20 billion).
- TRON (TRX) — ~$0.30, the token of the Tron blockchain platform, which focuses on creating infrastructure for entertainment and digital content. TRX is in demand for transactions on the Tron network and for issuing stablecoins (a large portion of USDT circulates on the Tron blockchain). In 2025, Tron has solidified its position: high network throughput and low fees have led to increased usage, allowing TRX to secure its spot among the top ten by capitalisation.
Prospects and Forecasts
Approaching 2026, the cryptocurrency market finds itself in a state of equilibrium between achieved successes and lingering risks. On one hand, the impressive growth of Bitcoin and many altcoins in 2025 has affirmed a long-term upward trend: even following the recent correction, most leading assets are trading significantly above the beginning-of-year levels, attracting new investors. The strengthening of institutional presence, the emergence of regulated investment products, and the gradual clarification of the legal status of cryptocurrencies have created a more mature and resilient ecosystem. This establishes a solid foundation for further market expansion: optimists believe that after a phase of consolidation, a new price surge is possible. Projections have emerged stating that in 2026 Bitcoin could surpass the $150,000–200,000 mark, while Ethereum could reach new historical highs, provided the macroeconomic situation remains favourable and fresh growth drivers arise.
On the other hand, short-term risks for the crypto market persist. A tight monetary policy, delays in technological updates, or security incidents (such as large-scale hacks) may temporarily undermine investor confidence. Cautious experts also do not rule out a prolonged pause in price growth if the market does not receive new catalysts. Therefore, it is crucial for participants to adhere to risk management principles—diversifying assets and focusing on long-term strategies to navigate potential fluctuations confidently. Nevertheless, the cryptocurrency industry enters 2026 more mature and resilient, instilling moderate optimism for its further development.
