Current Cryptocurrency News as of 22 September 2025: Bitcoin Approaches $120,000, Ethereum Maintains Growth, Binance Coin Hits Record Above $1,000, Institutional Funds Record Unprecedented Inflows. A Detailed Review of the Top 10 Cryptocurrencies and Key Market Events.
As of the morning of 22 September 2025, the cryptocurrency market remains near historical highs following a rapid rise in recent weeks. Bitcoin is closely approaching the psychological mark of $120,000, trading around $118,000, just shy of its all-time record (~$124,000, set in August). Ethereum (ETH) remains close to its multi-year peak (approximately $4,700). The total market capitalisation of cryptocurrencies has surpassed $4.2 trillion, reflecting sustained investor interest in digital assets. The largest altcoins in the top 10 continue to rise in value: for instance, Binance Coin has crossed the $1,000 threshold. Market optimism is bolstered by favourable macroeconomic conditions (easing monetary policy) and positive news from the industry (simplified launch of crypto ETFs, record inflows of institutional capital).
Market Overview: Support from the Fed and Capital Redistribution
The US Federal Reserve's decision to lower the key interest rate by 0.25% for the first time in a long while has provided an additional boost to the cryptocurrency market. Cheaper capital and improved liquidity traditionally bode well for risky assets, including cryptocurrencies. Following this news, Bitcoin surged above $117,000, while Wall Street's stock indices simultaneously showed gains. Overall, the cryptocurrency market has experienced a confident rally since the beginning of the month, driven by a series of positive factors. Investors have been increasingly reallocating a portion of their funds from Bitcoin to other coins: the share of BTC in total capitalisation has decreased to approximately 52–53%, signalling the start of a genuine "altcoin season." The growing demand for crypto-assets is coming from both retail participants and large institutional players.
Bitcoin: Firm Consolidation Ahead of a Breakout
Leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin (BTC) demonstrates healthy consolidation following its record highs in August. In recent weeks, its price has fluctuated within the $115,000–119,000 range, remaining 5–7% below peak levels. The current market capitalisation of BTC stands at around $2.3 trillion, accounting for more than half of the entire cryptocurrency market. Despite the recent pause in growth, fundamental drivers remain intact. The easing of monetary policy in the US, the launch of Bitcoin ETFs, and the influx of institutional investments continue to support high prices. Major corporations and funds (including public companies like MicroStrategy) remain interested in BTC, viewing it as "digital gold" and a hedge against inflation. Experts believe that breaking the psychological barrier of $120,000 could pave the way for Bitcoin to reach new historical highs, though short-term fluctuations cannot be ruled out. Among macro risks, there is concern regarding a potential inflation spike or a hardening of the Fed's rhetoric, which could temporarily dampen risk appetite.
Ethereum: Nearing Record and Technological Updates
The second-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation, Ethereum (ETH), is on an upward trend, trading around $4,700 — almost at the record levels reached several years ago (~$4,900). The rise in ETH's price is accompanied by increased interest from institutional investors: following the approval of the first spot ETFs linked to Ether in August, substantial capital has flowed into relevant funds. It is estimated that in recent weeks, inflows into Ethereum funds have exceeded $3 billion, reflecting major players' confidence in the platform's prospects. Additional positive support comes from technological factors. A significant network upgrade for Ethereum, called Fusaka (a hard fork scheduled for December 2025), is expected to increase scalability and lower costs within the network. Investors view these improvements as factors for Ethereum's long-term strengthening. In addition to the potential for price growth, Ether attracts opportunities for staking income (approximately 4% annually for holding coins and participating in transaction confirmations). With a combination of technological innovations and increasing institutional demand, Ethereum holds approximately 14–15% of market capitalisation, remaining a key component of the crypto economy (often referred to as the "digital oil" of the modern financial system).
Altcoins: BNB Hits Record High and Growing Interest in Platform Tokens
The broader altcoin market is witnessing a surge, accompanied by a decline in Bitcoin's dominance. Average daily price increases among major alternative coins range from 2–5%. Notably, platform tokens and coins with positive news are particularly prominent:
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance – made a leap over the weekend, surpassing the $1,000 mark for the first time. Currently, BNB is trading around $1,050, having set a new all-time high. The asset's market capitalisation exceeds $150 billion, placing it among the most valuable cryptocurrencies. Despite ongoing regulatory pressure on the Binance exchange itself, the wide range of use cases for BNB (such as fee payments, participation in DeFi, etc.) supports sustained demand for the coin.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform – is also demonstrating impressive results. SOL's price recently climbed above $240, nearing its historical high. Investors are once again actively interested in Solana, thanks to the growth of the ecosystem of projects built on it and the expectations of a future ETF launch for SOL. The current market capitalisation of Solana is estimated at around $90–100 billion.
- Ripple (XRP) – a cryptocurrency for cross-border payments – is holding steady at around $3.00 per token, close to multi-year peaks. Following Ripple's legal victory over the SEC concerning XRP's status, interest in the coin sharply increased. XRP has regained its place among the top three market leaders by capitalisation (~$160 billion) and is attracting attention from the banking sector. Expectations regarding the launch of exchange-traded funds on XRP in the US are also fueling long-term optimism surrounding the asset.
- Cardano (ADA) – a smart contract platform with a scientific approach – remains in the top ten largest cryptocurrencies. Recently, ADA experienced a sharp jump amid speculation about a potential ETF launch, rising to approximately $0.95 before correcting to around $0.90. The project is supported by an active community that believes in its long-term potential, although it still has a distance to cover to its historical peak (around $3 in 2021).
Additionally, leading the market are Dogecoin (DOGE) and TRON (TRX). The meme token DOGE is trading in the range of $0.26–0.28, remaining in demand due to community support and periodic attention from well-known personalities. TRON (around $0.35) is firmly holding its position in the top 10, largely due to its role as infrastructure for stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT is issued on the Tron network due to low fees). The overall trend for altcoins remains bullish: investors are diversifying their investments beyond Bitcoin, contributing to the growth of the entire alternative cryptocurrency sector.
Regulation and Institutional Trends
In 2025, conditions have matured for significant institutionalisation of the crypto industry. Regulators and large financial firms are taking steps to facilitate access to digital assets and enhance trust in the market. Among the most recent developments are:
- Simplified ETF Launch Process: The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has significantly reduced the review period for cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund applications — from 240 to 75 days. Exchanges can now list new crypto ETFs without lengthy approvals, accelerating the emergence of such products in the market.
- New Crypto ETFs in the US: For the first time in the American market, spot ETFs linked to several altcoins have been launched. In particular, trading for funds on XRP and Dogecoin (tickers XRPR and DOJE) began in September, which seemed unbelievable just a year ago. The emergence of ETFs for popular coins simplifies investors’ access to them through traditional exchanges and signifies the growing maturity of the market. Analysts anticipate billions in inflows into these funds, potentially supporting further price growth for the respective assets.
- Record Institutional Investments: Major investment firms are recording capital inflows into crypto funds at peak levels. The flagship Bitcoin ETF from BlackRock has received record inflows, which underscores the continued interest from institutional investors.
