Cryptocurrency News Overview for 21 November 2025: Bitcoin Consolidates After Correction, Ethereum Prepares for Upgrade, Altcoins Recover, Institutional Investors Expand Presence, and Market Stabilises.
By the morning of 21 November 2025, the cryptocurrency market is attempting to stabilise after a sharp decline in the first half of the month. Bitcoin is trading around $90,000, having lost nearly 30% from its October historical high (~$126,000). Over the past month, the total market capitalisation of the cryptocurrency sector has shrunk by approximately $1.2 trillion, yet the decline has paused in recent days. The largest altcoins are also holding critical levels: Ethereum stabilised around $3,000 amid anticipation of an important network upgrade, while Bitcoin's dominance index has dipped below 60%, reflecting the relative resilience of several altcoins. Investors and analysts are currently assessing whether the ongoing correction is temporary before a new upswing or if the market is set for a more prolonged phase of consolidation.
Bitcoin After a Major Correction
In early October, the flagship Bitcoin (BTC) reached a new peak of around $126,000, before rapidly entering a correction phase. Last week, Bitcoin's price fell to approximately $88,000 – the lowest level in the past six months, marking a drop of over a quarter from its historical high. As of now, BTC has rebounded to the $90,000–92,000 range and is showing signs of stabilisation. Bitcoin's market capitalisation stands at about $1.8 trillion, retaining around 58–60% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalisation. Experts note that recent declines were driven by profit-taking by investors after a prolonged rally and the Federal Reserve's tightening rhetoric, which hinted at sustained high rates to curb inflation. Nonetheless, the fundamental factors for Bitcoin remain positive: institutional adoption of the asset continues, and the upcoming halving in 2024 enhances expectations for long-term growth. Currently, Bitcoin is consolidating around the psychologically significant mark of $100,000 (acting as resistance); breaking this level could lead the market back to a bullish trend, whereas a failure to maintain above $90,000 could indicate an extended consolidation phase.
Ethereum Prepares for Major Upgrade
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Ethereum (ETH), has also experienced significant volatility. After climbing close to $5,000 in October, Ether fell roughly 35% and is now trading around $3,000. Despite this correction, Ethereum maintains a ~12% market share and the status of the leading platform for decentralised applications and DeFi. Investors are optimistic about the upcoming network upgrade, codenamed Fusaka, scheduled for early December 2025. This hard fork aims to enhance Ethereum's scalability and introduce new technical solutions (notably, technology for accelerating layer-two operations), which should improve network efficiency and attract even more users. Discussions surrounding the upgrade have already led to increased developer activity and bolstered confidence in ETH's long-term prospects. In recent weeks, Ethereum has shown relative strength due to expectations surrounding new institutional products – the first spot ETFs on Ether were approved in the US this autumn, facilitating access to ETH for large investors. Analysts believe that the successful implementation of the December upgrade could provide Ether with additional momentum for recovering its positions, especially if overall market sentiment improves.
Altcoins Seek Growth Opportunities
The broader altcoin market is attempting to recover after the October downturn. Many popular altcoins fell by 20–30% in value during the correction; however, recent trading sessions have brought signs of revitalisation. Bitcoin's dominance has decreased from over 60% to ~58%, indicating relatively better performance among some alternative coins. Several high-cap tokens are demonstrating resilience: for instance, Ripple (XRP), which surged to a multi-year high of ~$3.00 following Ripple's legal victory over the SEC last summer, has now corrected to $2.1–2.2 but remains above $2, retaining a significant portion of its gains. Binance Coin (BNB), which set a historical high (reaching ~$1,375 during the height of the October rally), is now trading around $900 following its correction, still substantially above year-to-date levels. Ongoing interest in BNB is attributed to the broad ecosystem of Binance and regular coin burns that reduce supply. Solid capitalisation is maintained by other market leaders as well: Solana (SOL) is holding around $140 after peaking at ~$200, supported by news of potential ETF launches on it, as well as increased activity within its blockchain ecosystem. Smart contract platform tokens such as Cardano (ADA) and TRON (TRX) have fallen over 40% from annual highs but continue to be in the top ten. The much-loved meme cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE) remains around the ~$0.16–0.17 mark, confirming that even joke coins with active communities can endure periods of volatility without losing interest. Notably, new promising projects are emerging: a number of relatively recent cryptocurrencies are securing positions just behind market leaders. For example, the token of the decentralised exchange Hyperliquid (HYPE) has surged into the ranks of the largest by market capitalisation in 2025 due to its unique technological proposition, and its value remains high amid rumours of a new ETF launch. Similarly, altcoins with their own growth catalysts are attracting increased attention – for example, Uniswap (UNI) on the development wave of DeFi tools. Overall, while a broad 'altseason' is yet to be observed, individual digital assets are demonstrating relative strength even amidst the overall market correction.
New Crypto ETFs and Institutional Interest
One of the primary themes at the end of 2025 has been the expansion of offerings for institutional investors within the cryptocurrency market. In the US, following the successful launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs and Ether ETFs in recent months, regulators have approved the listing of the first multi-asset cryptocurrency ETF. The fund by Bitwise, which received preliminary SEC approval in November, tracks an index of the ten largest digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and other top currencies. This decision has been seen as an important signal: the market regards it as a step towards further integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system. Notably, amid ETF news, capital flow is being redistributed: according to industry reports, November saw a net outflow of about $1.6 billion from Bitcoin funds – likely a result of profit-taking after the previous rally – while funds related to Solana attracted approximately $26 million in new investments. This trend indicates a portion of investors' interest in promising altcoins and asset diversification. Institutional players continue to enter the cryptocurrency space: media reports indicate that several large university endowments and pension programmes have increased investments in crypto funds. Notably, the Harvard endowment fund reportedly invested about $440 million in a Bitcoin trust managed by BlackRock – seen as a sign of long-term confidence in BTC from conservative institutionals. The regulatory environment for the sector is also gradually clarifying: new laws aimed at ensuring more transparent cryptocurrency regulation (including initiatives for classifying digital assets and protecting investors) have come into effect in the US. Experts anticipate that further introductions of exchange-traded products across various crypto assets (with ETFs for XRP, Ethereum Layer-2 tokens, and others in development) will depend on regulators' willingness to recognise the utilitarian value of these projects. The expansion of the crypto ETF lineup and the influx of institutional funds strengthen the market's fundamentals, although they also add correlation with traditional finance.
Market Sentiments and Volatility
The period of rapid growth followed by a sharp correction has reflected on trader sentiments. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index, which exceeded 70 points ('greed') during the height of the October rally, fell into the 'fear' zone around 30–40 points in November. This indicates a predominance of cautious sentiment: many market participants reduced risks amidst declining prices. The extent of volatility is confirmed by liquidation statistics: according to exchange data, during the days of the steepest declines (10-11 October), the total volume of forcibly closed positions exceeded $10–15 billion – a multitude of leveraged traders were knocked out of the market. Last week, when Bitcoin briefly fell below $100,000, daily liquidation volumes also exceeded $1 billion, particularly in long positions, which exacerbated the downward momentum. However, after reaching a local bottom, signs of panic began to abate. Volatility remains heightened but has somewhat lessened compared to the peak levels of October. Currently, the sentiment index has risen from deep 'fear' territory closer to neutral values, reflecting a gradual return of confidence as prices stabilise. Analysts warn that sharp fluctuations are still possible in the market – for instance, in the event of unexpected macroeconomic news or regulatory developments. Nevertheless, the gradual cooling of euphoria and the phase of 'capitulation' among speculators may create a foundation for more balanced growth ahead. Experience from recent years shows that following periods of extreme volatility, the crypto market often enters a phase of relative calm, allowing investors to regroup and assess new entry points.
Forecasts and Expectations
Despite the recent correction, many experts maintain a moderately optimistic outlook for the future of the cryptocurrency market. Analysts from Standard Chartered Bank suggest that the current ~30% drop in Bitcoin fits within the typical correction boundaries of a bull market and is likely nearing its conclusion. They estimate that the current decline is already the third comparable drop since the first spot ETFs were introduced, and each time following such pullbacks, the market found a new bottom and resumed growth. The bank still considers a year-end rally scenario: the base forecast anticipates Bitcoin returning to an upward trend in December, provided macroeconomic conditions remain stable. Some market participants also point to on-chain indicators suggesting a 'breathing out' of sellers: short-term holders have realised losses, and exchange volumes have decreased, characteristic of a local bottom phase. Optimists believe that in 2026, as monetary policy eases and interest in cryptocurrencies grows in emerging markets, Bitcoin could set new highs – targets of $180–200,000 have been mentioned. More conservative forecasts expect gradual recovery: for instance, several Wall Street analysts anticipate that the $120,000 mark will again become attainable in the latter half of 2026, assuming no new crises arise. As for altcoins, their prospects largely hinge on Bitcoin's behaviour: for a full-scale 'altseason' to commence, BTC must solidify near its record values and attract a new influx of capital to the market. For now, forecasts suggest that quality projects with real-world applications – such as smart contract platforms and key infrastructure tokens – will recover faster and attract more investors than speculative coins lacking fundamental value. In an environment of ongoing uncertainty, market participants are advised to exercise caution, albeit noting that each major pullback in the past has provided long-term investors with opportunities to enter the market at more attractive prices.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of 21 November 2025, the following digital assets round out the top ten most popular cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $91,000 following a recent correction, with a market capitalisation of approximately $1.8 trillion (about 59% of the overall market). Bitcoin maintains its status as 'digital gold' and the backbone of the cryptocurrency market, embodying the trust of most institutional investors.
- Ethereum (ETH) – the leading altcoin and platform for smart contracts. ETH's price is hovering around $3,000, below recent local peaks, but the coin remains the second-largest crypto asset with a market value of around $360 billion (~12% of the market). With its vast ecosystem of decentralised applications, Ethereum continues to capture investor and developer interest.
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin, pegged to the US dollar 1:1. USDT is commonly used for trading operations and hedging on cryptocurrency exchanges, boasting a market capitalisation of about $150 billion. The token consistently holds the $1.00 (≈₽80) peg thanks to its reserve backing, remaining a crucial element of market liquidity.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and the native coin of the BNB Chain blockchain. Following record highs in October, BNB has corrected to ~$900 (with a capitalisation of around $140 billion), yet it remains among the leaders. BNB is in demand due to its wide applications: payment of exchange fees, participation in token sales, and use in DeFi projects on the BNB Chain.
- Ripple (XRP) – the token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border transactions. XRP is trading around $2.13, with a capitalisation of approximately $110 billion. In summer 2025, XRP received legal confirmation of its status (not being a security in the US), which restored confidence and helped XRP return to the upper echelons of the cryptocurrency rankings.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralised applications. SOL is valued at approximately $140 per coin (with a capitalisation of around $65 billion), showcasing recovery after a drop. Solana attracts investors with its high transaction speeds and recent news about potential ETF launches based on it, underscoring the rising institutional interest.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second-largest stablecoin issued by Circle and backed by dollar reserves. USDC trades steadily at $1.00, with a market capitalisation of around $60 billion. Due to its reserve transparency and partnerships with traditional financial institutions, USDC is widely used in corporate settlements and on the DeFi market, remaining a reliable 'safe haven' for traders.
- TRON (TRX) – a blockchain platform for smart contracts and entertainment dApps, popular in Asia. TRX is priced around $0.28 (capitalisation ~ $27 billion). Tron secured its place in the top 10 largely due to the active use of its network for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the Tron blockchain), as well as maintaining high network throughput and low fees.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most well-known 'meme cryptocurrency,' created as a joke and achieving cult status. DOGE is trading around $0.16 (capitalisation ~ $24 billion). Despite its playful origins, Dogecoin retains a dedicated following and periodically receives growth spurts due to backing from well-known entrepreneurs. DOGE's volatility remains high, yet its presence in the top ten underscores the unique community effect on the value of crypto assets.
- Cardano (ADA) – a blockchain platform evolving based on a scientific approach and phased upgrades. ADA is valued at approximately $0.47 after correction (capitalisation around $16 billion). Earlier in 2025, Cardano drew attention with expectations surrounding ETF launches and network upgrades; however, the current decline has returned its price to mid-year levels. Nonetheless, the project boasts an active community and scaling plans, supporting its position among the largest cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrency Market Status as of 21 November 2025
- Major cryptocurrencies prices: Bitcoin (BTC) ~$91,300; Ethereum (ETH) ~$3,010; XRP ~$2.13; BNB ~$900; Solana (SOL) ~$141; Tether (USDT) $1.00.
- Market metrics: total crypto market capitalisation about $3.2 trillion; Bitcoin's share ~58%; fear and greed index – 45 (neutral/moderate fear mode).
- Top gainers in 24h: Zcash (ZEC) +11% (increased interest in privacy coins amid regulatory discussions); Polygon (MATIC) +4% (recovery following network upgrade).
- Top losers in 24h: Filecoin (FIL) -6% (correction after a short-term price surge); Conflux (CFX) -5% (profit-taking amid lack of new drivers).
- Analysis: The market is exhibiting mixed dynamics – leading coins hold their positions, while smaller altcoins show divergent fluctuations. A moderate rise in the sentiment index indicates a weakening of panic scenarios, although selling activity persists among certain tokens without strong news triggers. Investors are closely monitoring Bitcoin in the $90,000–100,000 range as an indicator of the market's future direction: a confident rise could buoy the broader cryptocurrency market, while prolonged consolidation in BTC may signify continued selective movement in altcoins according to their fundamental news.
