Current Cryptocurrency News as of 17 November 2025: Bitcoin Holds Above $100,000, Ethereum Prepares for Upgrades, Altcoins Stabilise, and Institutional Investors Strengthen Positions. A Comprehensive Overview of the Cryptocurrency Market and Analysis of the Top 10 Coins.
As of the morning of 17 November 2025, the global cryptocurrency market is demonstrating cautious stabilisation following a recent correction. Bitcoin has managed to regain its footing and is trading once again near the psychologically significant level of $100,000, maintaining the overall cryptocurrency market capitalisation at approximately $3.4 trillion. Ethereum is holding steady amid expectations of a major network upgrade, while the dynamics of altcoins remain mixed. Investors remain attentive to macroeconomic signals: the "fear and greed" index is in the "fear" zone (approximately 30 points), reflecting subdued sentiment. In this context, the focus is on whether Bitcoin can consolidate its position in the six-figure territory and whether an improvement in sentiment will serve as a catalyst for a new altcoin rally.
Bitcoin: Holding the Key Level
The flagship cryptocurrency Bitcoin (BTC) experienced an impressive surge in October, reaching a new all-time high (approximately $125,000), followed by an expected correction. Last week, pressure on BTC peaked: the price briefly dipped to around $95,000, breaking below the psychological barrier of $100,000 for the first time since May. However, by the second half of November, Bitcoin stabilised and is now consolidating within the range of approximately $100,000–$105,000, endeavouring to remain above the key mark. BTC's market dominance is around 55–58%, underscoring its role as the primary indicator of sentiment in cryptocurrencies. Analysts note that the recent decline is attributed to a global retreat by investors from risk assets against the backdrop of signals from the US Federal Reserve regarding sustained high interest rates. Nonetheless, major holders and institutional investors continue to show confidence; many view the correction as an opportunity to increase their positions in "digital gold." Market attention is focused on whether Bitcoin can maintain six-figure prices and resume its upward trend by the end of the year or whether further consolidation will ensue after the recent rally.
Ethereum: Anticipating a Network Upgrade
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Ethereum (ETH), is following overall market trends, maintaining a price of around $3,300 after a pullback from its autumn peak. In October, ETH surged to approximately $3,900, but following Bitcoin's trend, it fell by about 15–20%, dropping below $3,100 in early November (a recent low). Currently, Ethereum has recovered to around $3,300, still below its historical high from 2021 (approximately $4,800). Despite the correction, interest in Ethereum is buoyed by the anticipation of significant upcoming events: a major network upgrade aimed at increasing scalability and reducing fees is scheduled for early December. Additionally, the crypto industry expects the approval of the first spot ETF for Ethereum in the US by the end of the year—this move could attract new institutional capital into ETH. The fundamental indicators for the Ethereum network remain strong: the decentralised finance (DeFi) ecosystem and NFT sector continue to grow, and the transition to Proof-of-Stake alongside associated improvements have solidified Ethereum's position as the foundational "digital infrastructure" of the crypto market. Should the upgrade be successful and market conditions remain favourable, Ethereum has the potential to recover lost ground and approach new highs.
Altcoins: Mixed Market Dynamics
The altcoin sector is exhibiting heterogeneous trends in mid-November. Many major alternative coins followed Bitcoin down during the correction, yet the situation is now stabilising: some altcoins are attempting to recover losses while others continue to stagnate. For example, Ripple (XRP), after a rapid surge in the autumn (the token briefly exceeded $3 for the first time since 2018 following Ripple's court victory against the SEC), has corrected and has recently been holding around $2.4–2.5. Despite this pullback, XRP remains among the leaders thanks to improved legal clarity regarding the token's status and interest from financial firms. Binance Coin (BNB), after reaching a record high of approximately $950, has retraced to around $900 but remains in the top 5 by market capitalisation, reflecting its widespread use within the ecosystem of the largest cryptocurrency exchange. High-cap platform tokens like Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) have also undergone corrections (SOL decreased from approximately $200 to $150, while ADA fell from approximately $1 to $0.50), yet they are holding firm within the top ten due to active communities and ongoing technological development. Conversely, speculative niche tokens have also seen significant declines as the hype surrounding meme coins and AI-based projects has waned. The Bitcoin dominance index, which had previously risen above 60%, has slightly decreased, suggesting a cautious rotation of capital into individual altcoins. Nevertheless, the overall market sentiment remains cautious: investors prefer large, established assets, and the heightened volatility in the altcoin segment underscores the necessity for selectivity.
Institutional Investors and New Products
Major investors and financial organisations continue to play a significant role in the cryptocurrency market, even amidst recent price fluctuations. The year 2025 has witnessed historic steps in integrating cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system: in the US, the first spot ETFs on Bitcoin began trading (initiatives from leading firms like BlackRock have attracted billions in a matter of weeks), with similar funds for Ethereum and other assets in preparation for launch. Moreover, index ETFs covering baskets of several top coins are entering the market, facilitating diversification for large investors. The ongoing submission of applications for new crypto funds—including ETFs linked to XRP and Solana—signals institutional intentions to expand their presence in digital assets. Corporations are also joining in: several public companies and hedge funds have taken advantage of declining prices to increase their cryptocurrency reserves, viewing this as a strategic investment. Analysts emphasise that the inflow of professional capital is a key market driver, providing increased liquidity and confidence.
Regulation: The US, Europe, and Global Trends
The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrencies in 2025 is considerably improving, fostering greater trust among investors and businesses. In the United States, authorities are demonstrating a more lenient approach towards the industry: Congress is advancing legislation that sets rules for cryptocurrency exchanges and token issuers, while the new leadership of the SEC has softened its rhetoric and withdrawn several lawsuits against major platforms. A landmark event was the pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) at the end of October—this move was presented by the Trump administration as a signal of compromise and readiness to engage with the crypto sector. Furthermore, high-level discussions are taking place regarding initiatives to integrate cryptocurrencies into traditional financial instruments: in particular, plans have been announced to allow the use of digital assets in 401(k) pension saving plans, opening cryptocurrency access to millions of individual investors.
In Europe, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is set to come into full effect by the end of the year, introducing unified rules for the crypto industry across all EU countries. Dozens of crypto companies have already obtained licenses under the new requirements, ensuring transparency in the operations of exchanges, strict standards for stablecoin reserves, and consumer protection. Meanwhile, European regulators are continuing to monitor risks: additional control measures for global stablecoins and DeFi platforms are being discussed to mitigate potential threats to financial stability. Concurrently, progressive jurisdictions in Asia, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, are actively implementing crypto-friendly regulatory regimes, aiming to attract blockchain businesses and establish themselves as global crypto hubs. Moreover, at the G20 summit taking place this weekend, leaders of the largest economies are discussing the need to develop global approaches to the supervision of digital assets, further indicating that the topic of cryptocurrencies has reached the international agenda. Collectively, these trends point to a gradual transformation of cryptocurrencies from a "wild" financial field into a regulated sector of the economy, potentially paving the way for new capital inflows and market participants.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies Today
- Bitcoin (BTC) — ~$101,000, the largest cryptocurrency (~55% of total market capitalisation). BTC serves as the primary barometer for the entire crypto market and maintains its status as "digital gold" for long-term investors. Despite the recent correction, Bitcoin has significantly risen since the beginning of the year, with interest fuelled by institutional demand and limited issuance (21 million coins).
- Ethereum (ETH) — ~$3,300, the second-largest digital asset by market capitalisation (~12–13% of the market). The main platform for smart contracts, upon which thousands of decentralized applications (DeFi, NFT marketplaces, etc.) operate. Ethereum's transition to Proof-of-Stake, its deflationary issuance model, and the upcoming network upgrade bolster trust in ETH, although its price remains below historical highs.
- Tether (USDT) — ~$1.00, the largest stablecoin with a market capitalisation of approximately $160 billion. USDT is pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio and serves as the primary liquidity "park" on cryptocurrency exchanges. Stablecoins like Tether enable traders and investors to swiftly move funds between exchanges and avoid volatility, remaining a cornerstone of the market.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — ~$920, the native token of the Binance ecosystem (ranking in the top 5 by market capitalisation). BNB is used to pay fees on the Binance exchange and access additional services (e.g., participation in new token launches on Binance Launchpad). Despite regulatory challenges related to Binance's operations in several countries, the coin maintains high positions due to its broad applicability and community support.
- USD Coin (USDC) — ~$1.00, the second-largest stablecoin (~$75 billion capitalisation). Issued by a consortium of companies led by Circle, it is fully backed by reserves in fiat currency held in bank accounts. USDC is trusted by both retail and institutional market participants and is often used for transactions and savings in trading strategies.
- XRP (Ripple) — ~$2.4, a token used for cross-border payments through the RippleNet network. Following positive court rulings in 2025, XRP has regained investor confidence and briefly surpassed $3, setting a record since 2018. After the correction, XRP remains among the leaders: its capitalisation exceeds $100 billion, and banks and fintech companies continue to express interest in Ripple's solutions for accelerated international transfers.
- Solana (SOL) — ~$155, a high-performance blockchain platform focused on scalable decentralized applications. SOL has seen significant growth in 2025 (despite a pullback from a recent high of ~$200) due to the expanding ecosystem: the Solana network has attracted projects across DeFi, gaming, and NFT sectors. Institutional interest and the launch of new products (including a potential ETF for SOL) have aided the token in maintaining proximity to multi-year highs.
- Cardano (ADA) — ~$0.55, a blockchain platform for smart contracts known for its academic approach to development. Despite being significantly below record price levels, ADA remains among the top ten assets thanks to its substantial capitalisation and community support.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — ~$0.17, the most recognised meme cryptocurrency, created as a joke. DOGE remains among the leaders thanks to its cult following and periodic attention from notable figures but continues to be a highly volatile asset (with a capitalisation of around $20 billion).
- TRON (TRX) — ~$0.31, 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 the issuance of stablecoins (USDT and other stable coins are in active circulation on Tron). In 2025, Tron has solidified its position: high network throughput and low fees have led to increased usage, enabling TRX to establish itself in the top ten by capitalisation.
Outlook and Predictions
As we approach 2026, the cryptocurrency market is in a state of equilibrium between past successes and remaining risks. On one hand, the impressive growth of Bitcoin and a number of altcoins in 2025 has reaffirmed the long-term upward trend: even following the recent correction, most leading assets are trading significantly above levels at the beginning of the year, attracting new investors. The strengthening of institutional presence, the appearance of regulated investment products, and the gradual clarification of the legal status of cryptocurrencies have created a more mature and resilient ecosystem. This forms a solid foundation for further market expansion: optimists believe that after a phase of consolidation, a new price breakout is possible. Predictions suggest that in 2026 Bitcoin could surpass the $150,000–200,000 mark, and Ethereum could reach new historical highs, provided that the macroeconomic situation is favourable and new growth drivers emerge.
On the other hand, short-term risks for the cryptocurrency market remain. Tight monetary policies, delays in technological upgrades, or security incidents (such as large-scale hacks) could temporarily undermine investor confidence. Cautious experts also do not rule out a prolonged pause in price growth if the market does not gain new catalysts. Therefore, participants must adhere to risk management principles—diversifying their assets and focusing on a long-term strategy to navigate potential fluctuations confidently. Nevertheless, the cryptocurrency industry is entering 2026 in a more mature and resilient state, fostering moderate optimism regarding its further development.
