Current Cryptocurrency News for Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Bitcoin Attempts to Recover from November Decline, Altcoins Stabilise, Signals for Easing by the Fed Inspire Cautious Optimism, Top-10 Popular Cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrency Market Overview
As of the morning of November 26, 2025, the global cryptocurrency market is attempting to find support following recent volatility and correction. The total market capitalisation of the sector stands at approximately $3 trillion, indicating a partial recovery from the week’s lows. Bitcoin has stabilised around the mid-$80,000 mark, bouncing back from a multi-month low, which has somewhat supported market sentiment. Major altcoins are also displaying signs of consolidation: their quotes hover around current levels or have slightly increased, suggesting a waning of sell-offs.
Investors note that the calming of the situation is aided by technical signals of overselling and an improvement in the external backdrop. Key macroeconomic news—specifically, hints of a softer tone from the Federal Reserve—has provided support to risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Concurrently, the market is digesting recent regulatory developments, such as new restrictions in Europe, while cautiously looking ahead to potentially positive drivers, such as the launch of new investment products in crypto assets.
- Bitcoin became the first cryptocurrency to surpass the $100,000 mark this year, but subsequently lost around 30% from peak values, retreating below $90,000 (approximately a 25% decline from its historical maximum).
- Bitcoin’s share of total market capitalisation has decreased to approximately 55%, while altcoins now account for about 45% of the market. Nearly 60% of current trading volumes on exchanges also pertain to altcoins, indicating a capital redistribution towards alternative coins.
- Many leading altcoins have remained relatively resilient: their declines have been less pronounced than Bitcoin’s, with some even strengthening against BTC. This reflects an increased interest among investors in diversifying across various digital assets.
- Technical indicators suggest that the market is oversold. Bitcoin's Relative Strength Index (RSI) has fallen to its lowest levels in two years, while the Fear and Greed Index for cryptocurrencies is in the "extreme fear" zone (around 20 out of 100). Historically, such levels correspond to local market bottoms.
- The Federal Reserve has signalled potential easing of monetary policy. New York Fed President John Williams stated there is "room to lower rates," which has improved sentiment and helped curtail further declines in cryptocurrencies.
- Regulatory news: as of November 25, the European Union has banned any transactions involving the ruble-pegged stablecoin (A7A5), as part of new sanctions. Simultaneously, the European Central Bank warned of potential risks from major stablecoins (such as USDT and USDC) to the banking system and financial stability. Market participants are also awaiting decisions regarding the launch of new crypto ETFs and other regulatory steps that could affect demand for digital assets.
Bitcoin (BTC)
The primary cryptocurrency remains a key indicator of market sentiment. In 2025, Bitcoin reached unprecedented heights: in October, amid the approval of the first spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, its price first climbed above $120,000. However, by the end of November, the hype transitioned into a correction, with BTC quotes retracting to approximately $85,000, marking a 25% drop from the peaks. Analysts attribute the decline to mass profit-taking following the tumultuous rally and a general decrease in risk appetite in global markets. Nevertheless, Bitcoin’s fundamental positions remain strong: institutional investors continue to bolster their holdings (companies and funds now hold hundreds of thousands of BTC), and in several countries (e.g., El Salvador), Bitcoin has entrenched itself as an official means of payment.
From a technical perspective, BTC is currently close to an oversold condition. The daily RSI has dropped to levels not seen since late 2023, indicating the potential formation of a local bottom. The nearest significant support zone is around $80,000. Should buyers manage to hold prices at current levels, a short-term bounce of 5–10% could be possible due to the closing of short positions and a flood of new investors looking to "buy the dip." In the long term, however, Bitcoin's limited supply (capped at 21 million BTC) and ongoing interest from large players provide a solid foundation for growth as demand recovers.
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, maintains a pivotal role in the industry due to its smart contract platform. In autumn, ETH peaked at nearly $4,000 (the highest in the past year and a half), but then followed a ~25% correction in tandem with Bitcoin—currently, Ether is trading around $2,800. Despite the retracement, institutional interest in ETH remains strong: the first spot ETFs in Ethereum were launched in the US, broadening access for large investors to this asset. The Ethereum network continues to serve as the foundation for the decentralised finance (DeFi) and NFT ecosystems: daily, the blockchain processes a high volume of transactions, and thousands of decentralised applications function on Ethereum.
Additional support for Ether comes from expectations of significant events. A major network upgrade aimed at enhancing scalability and reducing transaction fees is scheduled for early December—this has raised optimism within the developer and investor community. The industry also anticipates potential approval for the first US spot ETF on Ethereum by the end of the year, which could lead to an influx of new capital into ETH. Current levels (~$2,800) are considered relatively attractive following the correction. Future performance of Ethereum will depend on the implementation of technical upgrades (e.g., reduction of gas fees) and the expansion of the DeFi ecosystem, which could act as a driver for the next price surge.
Altcoins: Stabilisation Following Decline
The broader altcoin market has also felt the pressure from sell-offs in recent weeks, although the extent of the decline varied across different assets. Nearly all major digital currencies in the top 10 have retreated from recent autumn highs. For instance, Solana (SOL) has decreased by approximately 10% in recent days, dropping to around $130 (earlier in November, SOL surpassed $200, reaching its highest values in several years). The Ripple token (XRP), which surged above $3.00 during the summer following Ripple's legal victory over the SEC, has corrected to around $2.10. Binance Coin (BNB) has fallen below the psychological threshold of $900 (current price is about $825), but remains in the top five of the market due to its wide application within the Binance ecosystem. Other major projects have also experienced significant downturns: Cardano (ADA), which rapidly rose during the summer months on ETF-launch speculation, has retreated back below $0.50 (to about $0.45). Essentially, no leading altcoin has escaped the sell-off—investors have been reducing positions across the spectrum of risk assets.
Nevertheless, the dynamics of the altcoins show some encouraging signs. Unlike previous cycles, the current pullback of many top altcoins has been less severe relative to Bitcoin, and their collective market share remains high. This indicates a more mature market, where investors diversify into various crypto assets rather than concentrating solely on BTC. Specific coins with strong fundamental drivers or fresh positive news are finding support faster than others. Overall, following the November drop, the altcoin segment is gradually stabilising, although the prospects for further recovery will depend on an overarching improvement in sentiment and a return of risk appetite.
Institutional Investments and Macroeconomics
One of the key trends this late autumn has been the reversal of institutional capital flows. Following the launch of the first spot exchange-traded funds for Bitcoin and Ethereum in 2024-2025, which simplified access to cryptocurrencies for large investors, these funds are now witnessing record outflows. On November 20, the total net outflow from American Bitcoin ETFs amounted to nearly $0.9 billion in a single day—one of the highest figures since such products began to appear. Major asset managers and hedge funds are showing increased caution: they have locked in profits following the rally and reduced their cryptocurrency holdings amid market turbulence.
The capital outflow is not limited to Bitcoin funds. According to companies tracking inflows, investment products based on Ethereum have also seen a decrease in volume—outflows from ETH funds continued for eight consecutive days during the market downturn. However, amid this backdrop, there have been specific inflows: last week, Bitwise launched the first spot XRP ETF in the US, which attracted around $120 million within a few days. Small inflows were also noted in funds focused on Solana (totalling around $20–25 million). These facts indicate that, despite the overall capital exodus, some investors are still willing to invest in select digital assets with promising news drivers.
Overall, institutional capital is currently taking a wait-and-see approach. The global macroeconomic environment remains a determining factor: earlier signals from the Fed regarding the maintenance of high rates and geopolitical uncertainty prompted a flight from risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. However, the recent easing of rhetoric from the Fed (anticipations of possible rate cuts) instils hope for a trend reversal. Should favourable macro signals materialise in December—such as slowing inflation or readiness from regulators for more lenient policies—institutional investors may return to the cryptocurrency market, viewing current levels as an attractive entry point.
Regulatory Events
The regulatory environment continues to exert a significant influence on the crypto market. In the European Union, as of November 25, a ban on any transactions involving the ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5, created with the involvement of Russian entities, took effect as part of a new package of sanctions. This move underscores the readiness of European authorities to curb attempts at circumventing financial restrictions using digital assets. Concurrently, the European Central Bank issued a warning regarding the risks posed by stablecoins to the traditional system: according to the ECB, the rapid growth of stablecoins like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) could threaten the banking sector, particularly in the event of a mass outflow of deposits into these digital equivalents of the dollar.
In the US and other countries, regulators have also intensified their scrutiny of the crypto industry. The American SEC continues to evaluate applications for the launch of new crypto ETFs: the market is eagerly awaiting a decision on the first spot ETF for Ethereum (ETH) by the end of the year. A positive outcome could represent a significant breakthrough, opening up even more investment opportunities in crypto assets for institutional players. Additionally, the US is discussing rules for taxing digital currency transactions, while several jurisdictions (e.g., Hong Kong, Singapore, and Middle Eastern countries) are implementing licensing regimes for crypto exchanges and services. Altogether, regulatory news presents a mixed picture: on the one hand, scrutiny and pressure are increasing; on the other hand, the emergence of clear rules and newly permitted products could foster capital inflows and build trust in the industry.
Forecasts and Expectations
In light of recent events, experts offer diverging forecasts regarding the market's future trajectory. Some analysts are cautiously inclined, not ruling out the possibility of sustained downward pressure until the end of the year. For instance, XWIN Research warns that if the Federal Reserve refrains from lowering the key rate in December, Bitcoin's price could plummet to around $60,000. The likelihood of no policy easing has increased—CME FedWatch data shows that the market estimates the chances of a December rate cut at only ~35% (compared to nearly 100% expectations a month earlier). Strong macroeconomic indicators from the US have reduced confidence in a rapid shift to stimulating measures by the Fed.
However, many market participants remain optimistic. Noted investor Tom Lee (Fundstrat) recently stated that the current pullback is temporary and does not negate the long-term bullish trend. Several large financial firms maintain their previously ambitious forecasts, although their realisation has been complicated by market declines. For instance, analysts at Standard Chartered, who elevated their target earlier, still see Bitcoin's growth potential reaching $200,000 and Ethereum approximately $7,500 by the end of 2025. Achieving such levels in the remaining weeks of the year will be complex, but in the event of improving macro conditions, a sharp price surge cannot be ruled out. If inflation continues to slow, and the Fed hints at a willingness to lower rates in 2026, risk appetite may rapidly return. In such a scenario, some strategists believe Bitcoin could recover above $100,000, while Ethereum may approach $4,000–5,000 in the first half of 2026.
Overall, despite the current downturn, the fundamental factors of the crypto market remain relatively robust. Many professional investors view the correction in November as a "healthy cooling-off" period following this year's rapid growth. Should interest from institutional players persist along with an improvement in external conditions, most analysts expect that the cryptocurrency market will return to growth in the second half of the cycle. In the short term, market participants are advised to exercise caution; however, the long-term prospects for digital assets are still viewed positively.
Top-10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $88,000 after retreating from record highs; its market capitalisation is approximately $1.7 trillion (≈55–57% of the entire market).
- Ethereum (ETH) — the leading altcoin and smart contract platform. ETH is priced around $2,800, below its recent peaks, with a market capitalisation of about $330 billion (≈11% of the market).
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is widely used in trading and settlements, with a capitalisation of around $180 billion; the coin consistently maintains a price of ~$1.00.
- Ripple (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border transactions. XRP is trading around $2.10, with a market capitalisation of ~ $130 billion. Legal clarity regarding XRP's status in the US after Ripple's victory over the regulator has helped the token regain its place among market leaders.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the native coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the native token of the BNB Chain. BNB is priced around $850 (capitalisation ~ $120 billion). Despite regulatory pressures on Binance, the token remains in the top five due to its wide utility on the platform (fee payments, participation in DeFi) and periodic coin burns that reduce supply.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin backed by dollar reserves (consortium Centre: Circle and Coinbase). USDC is maintained at $1.00, with a capitalisation of around $75 billion. The coin is known for its transparency of reserves and is widely used by institutional investors and in DeFi due to its compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralised applications. SOL is priced around $130 per coin (capitalisation ~ $60 billion), having recovered from technical issues in previous years. High transaction speeds and low fees attract developers in gaming, NFTs, and DeFi. Expectations for a Solana ETF launch and the growth of the ecosystem of projects based on it fuel investor interest.
- Tron (TRX) — a blockchain platform focused on entertainment and digital content, popular in Asia. TRX is trading around $0.27 (market value ~ $24 billion). Tron is actively used for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates in the Tron network) thanks to low fees and high speed, although the network is criticized for its relative centralisation.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most famous meme cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke. DOGE holds around $0.14 (capitalisation ~ $21 billion), supported by a dedicated community and periodic attention from celebrities. Despite heightened volatility, Dogecoin remains among the top ten largest coins due to sustained interest from retail investors.
- Cardano (ADA) — a "third-generation" blockchain platform that emphasises a scientific approach to development. ADA is trading around $0.45 (capitalisation ~ $15 billion) after a drop from summer highs. Cardano is characterised by high security and is actively developing (e.g., testing the Hydra scaling protocol); the project has a loyal community that believes in its long-term growth, although sharp price surges are not currently observed.
