Latest Cryptocurrency News as of 18 October 2025: Bitcoin Below $110k, Altcoin Volatility, Anticipation of XRP ETF Decision, Analysis of Ethereum and Other Top Cryptocurrencies, Market Forecasts.
As of the morning of 18 October 2025, the cryptocurrency market is attempting to stabilise after a sharp correction that occurred last week. Earlier in October, Bitcoin set a new all-time high (with prices exceeding $126,000), but this was followed by a swift decline due to external factors. Currently, the price of the leading cryptocurrency hovers around $105,000, which is more than 15% lower than the recent peak, but still significantly above the levels seen at the beginning of the year. Many major altcoins have also retreated from their maximum values: market capitalisation has decreased to approximately $3.7 trillion. Investors remain cautious amid increased volatility and await new drivers, including regulatory decisions regarding exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for crypto assets.
Bitcoin Holds Above $100k
After reaching a new record of approximately $126,000 at the start of the month, Bitcoin (BTC) faced a substantial correction. On the night of 10-11 October, negative macroeconomic news (including the US administration's announcement of 100% tariffs on goods from China) triggered a wave of sell-offs: the price of BTC plummeted from around $122,000 to approximately $112,000 within hours, briefly dipping to approximately $102,000 on some exchanges (e.g., Binance). Since then, the market has calmed somewhat, and Bitcoin is trading at around $105,000 to $110,000, maintaining its position above the psychologically significant level of $100,000. The market capitalisation of BTC stands at about $2.1 trillion, accounting for roughly 58-60% of the overall cryptocurrency market. The $100,000 mark serves as a critical benchmark for bulls: a solid retention of this level could indicate the formation of a local market bottom.
Experts note that Bitcoin's current weakness is largely due to profit-taking after an extended rally. Fundamental factors remain relatively favourable: the influx of institutional investors in recent months and Bitcoin's reinforced position as a safe-haven asset support sustained interest in BTC. However, macroeconomic risks continue to influence short-term dynamics. A sharp increase in gold prices to a record capitalisation of approximately $30 trillion diverts some capital towards traditional "safe-haven" assets, temporarily undermining the narrative of Bitcoin as "digital gold." As a result, Bitcoin is under pressure, demonstrating the most "oversold" level relative to gold in the last three years. Investors will be closely monitoring whether BTC can maintain its current positions or if there will be a new wave of declines below $100,000.
Ethereum Retreats from Highs
Following Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH)—the second largest digital asset by market capitalisation—has also come under pressure. Earlier this month, Ether was rising rapidly and was nearing its all-time high ($4,890, reached in November 2021): at its peak, the price climbed to about $4,800. However, the market correction affected Ethereum as well. During the recent downturn, the price of ETH fell by more than 12% in a single day, dropping to around $3,400. The current price of Ethereum fluctuates around $3,700 to $3,800, thus returning below the key level of $4,000. Despite the retreat, Ethereum remains the largest altcoin with a market capitalisation of around $450 billion (approximately 12% of total market volume) and continues to play a central role in the smart contracts ecosystem.
Previously, institutional interest in Ethereum was on the rise: the first spot ETFs for Ether were launched in the US, which simplified access to this asset for large investors. Significant capital inflows into ETH-related funds were observed in the early weeks of October. However, the subsequent deterioration in sentiment led to an outflow of funds from Ethereum as well. Nevertheless, many analysts highlight the resilience of Ethereum's fundamentals—the network continues to process a high volume of transactions, the decentralised finance (DeFi) sector is booming, and the recent transition of the network to the "Proof-of-Stake" model has made ETH a deflationary asset in the long run. These factors suggest that after the current correction, Ethereum could regain lost ground, especially if market conditions improve.
Altcoins Under Pressure
The broader altcoin market is experiencing heightened volatility. After a collective rise in September and early October, the prices of most major altcoins have significantly decreased. Over the past few weeks, many of the top 10 cryptocurrencies have dropped by 15-30% from their recent highs. However, the dynamics vary depending on specific projects. Some altcoins managed to approach their own record levels before the correction. For instance, Solana (SOL) rose to around $200 last week for the first time in several years, driven by optimism around the potential approval of the first spot ETF for Solana in the US. Binance Coin (BNB) also reached new heights, with the exchange token exceeding $1,000, despite ongoing regulatory pressure on the platform itself. These cases show that investors maintained a risk appetite right up until the recent downturn.
On the other hand, certain projects experienced particularly sharp price declines. For example, Toncoin (TON), which was previously in the top 15 by capitalisation, fell nearly 80% from its peak values, underscoring the risks of overheating in specific market segments. Major altcoins also faced pressure: the currencies of Cardano (ADA) and Dogecoin (DOGE) plummeted by tens of percent during the worst days (with declines of up to -20% and -23% in a single day, respectively). However, after the initial shock, some altcoins have been able to recover a small portion of their losses. Currently, the total capitalisation of the altcoin sector (excluding Bitcoin) is estimated to be around $1.6-1.7 trillion. Investors are selectively returning to individual high-quality projects, but overall sentiment remains cautious. Until clarity is achieved in the macroeconomic situation and positive news emerges, many altcoins may remain in a sideways movement with increased volatility.
XRP Awaits ETF Decision
The token XRP from Ripple has drawn considerable attention from investors. Following Ripple's legal victory over the SEC in the US (with the court confirming that XRP sales on the secondary market do not constitute a violation of securities law), the coin experienced a rally: by early autumn, XRP traded near a multi-year high of approximately $3.00, temporarily placing it among the market leaders. However, the recent downturn also affected XRP—the price now hovers around $2.30, which is roughly 20% lower than peak values. The market capitalisation of the token is estimated at around $130 billion, and XRP remains among the five largest crypto assets.
A key event for XRP is the decision regarding a spot ETF. The investment community is anxiously waiting for 18 October—the deadline by which the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to decide on Grayscale's application to launch the first ETF linked to XRP. Approval of such an ETF would be a landmark event, potentially opening access to XRP for a broader range of institutional investors and bolstering confidence in the asset. There is cautious optimism in the market: analysts assess the likelihood of a positive decision as fairly high, given precedents set by Bitcoin and Ethereum. Ahead of the news, trading volume for XRP has increased, although volatility has also risen—traders are betting on the outcome of the decision. Additionally, a positive development for the Ripple ecosystem was the news of the company's acquisition of the startup GTreasury for $1 billion. This expansion into corporate treasury software signals Ripple's long-term ambitions and indirectly supports XRP's value. However, should the ETF be delayed or denied, the XRP market could face short-term pressure, prompting market participants to closely monitor the SEC's actions.
Institutional Investments: Outflows After the Rally
One of the key trends in recent times has been the reversal of institutional flows. While large investors were increasing their investments in cryptocurrencies during the summer and early autumn, profit-taking began after the market reached new highs. According to analytical services, by 16 October, all Bitcoin exchange-traded funds had recorded outflows of approximately $536 million in a single day—the first simultaneous outflow of such magnitude since their launch. This indicates that some institutions decided to reduce their risk positions following significant price increases. Such outflows have heightened downward pressure on the market this week.
Concurrently, an interesting market shift is being observed: investors are reorienting themselves towards traditional safe-haven assets. The historical rise in gold prices (with gold market capitalisation exceeding $30 trillion) coincided with the correction in the cryptocurrency market, underscoring a change in sentiment towards more conservative instruments. At the same time, regulatory positions are becoming more stringent. For example, US Federal Reserve representatives have warned of potential risks to financial stability due to the rapid growth of stablecoins. The Financial Stability Board (FSB) of the G20 points to a “significant gap” in global cryptocurrency regulation, calling for coordinated actions. These factors are temporarily cooling the appetite of major players for digital assets.
Nonetheless, long-term institutional engagement in the crypto industry continues to strengthen. In 2025, the first spot ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum were launched in the US, and applications for ETFs for other cryptocurrencies (including Solana and Cardano) are currently under regulatory review. This indicates that strategic investors are not abandoning the market but rather adjusting positions. Many hedge funds, asset managers, and even pension funds continue to hold significant allocations of cryptocurrencies in their portfolios. In the near term, much will depend on the macroeconomic environment: if geopolitical tensions ease and financial markets stabilise, the inflow of institutional capital into cryptocurrencies may resume.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
The rapid decline in prices has been accompanied by a surge in short-term volatility in the cryptocurrency market. The Fear and Greed Index for cryptocurrencies has plummeted to a level of 24 out of 100 (“extreme fear”), the lowest point in the past year. This reflects a dramatic shift in sentiment: just a couple of weeks ago, the index was in the greed zone, signalling euphoria, while now investors are frightened by the scale of the correction. Historically, such extreme index values have often coincided with local trend reversal points, but this does not guarantee that will happen—if negative factors persist, fear may transition into panic.
Statistics from the derivatives market confirm the scale of the recent upheaval. In recent days, the total volume of forcibly liquidated positions on cryptocurrency exchanges has exceeded $1.2 billion. Almost 80% of this sum relates to long positions, meaning “bullish” trades that turned out to be miscalculated. The sharp price drop has wiped out over 300,000 margin accounts of traders worldwide. The largest single liquidation recorded was a long position in ETH valued at approximately $20 million, closed on the decentralised exchange Hyperliquid. Such episodes highlight the risks of using high leverage: when the market moves against leveraged positions, a chain reaction of margin calls occurs, exacerbating price declines.
Analysts advise market participants to remain vigilant. On one hand, the current levels for many assets look attractive for long-term investors after the correction; on the other, further short-term declines cannot be ruled out. Technical indicators suggest that the market is oversold: for example, the Bitcoin-to-gold price ratio has dropped to a three-year low, which may suggest a potential bounce back. At the same time, uncertainty in regulatory and macroeconomic spheres remains high. Under these conditions, experts recommend strictly adhering to risk management principles, avoiding excessive use of borrowed funds, and closely monitoring news developments that could instantly impact prices.
Forecasts and Expectations
Despite the current correction, many analysts maintain an optimistic outlook for the cryptocurrency market in the medium term. They believe that the recent decline is largely health-promoting and does not negate the bullish trend established in 2024-2025. Major British bank Standard Chartered, for example, recently reaffirmed its ambitious forecast: bank analysts expect Bitcoin's price to reach approximately $200,000 by the end of 2025, while Ethereum could hit around $7,500. If these forecasts come to fruition, the current drop could be viewed merely as a temporary phase before further upward momentum. Some experts suggest that the crypto market may be entering a “second phase” of the growth cycle: following peak updates and interim corrections, a new price ascent may occur if external conditions improve.
Simultaneously, a number of specialists urge caution, pointing to ongoing risks. Concerns are being raised over potential tightening of monetary policy, geopolitical factors (including trade wars and regional conflicts), and unpredictable regulatory actions. There is a perspective that the October highs (around $125,000 to $126,000 for BTC) may be the peaks of the current cycle, and the market could be in for a protracted consolidation or even deeper declines. Some analysts do not rule out that Bitcoin could only approach $150,000 in the second half of 2026, following the next halving of miner rewards and provided the macroeconomic environment remains favourable. Such forecasts highlight the need for patience for long-term investors.
Overall, the consensus among most market participants is that the fundamental drivers of cryptocurrency growth remain intact. Technological advancements (the emergence of new protocols, increased scalability, the integration of blockchain across various industries) and institutional acceptance (the launch of ETFs, involvement of major companies) will continue to support the sector. In the absence of new shocks, the overall market capitalisation of the cryptocurrency market could resume its growth in the latter half of the year. Investors are advised to combine optimism with prudence: when forming positions for the future, it is vital to have a diversified portfolio and a plan of action ready for potential negative scenarios.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of 18 October 2025, the ten most popular cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation are as follows:
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $105,000 following a recent correction; its market capitalisation exceeds $2 trillion (≈59% of the total market).
- Ethereum (ETH) — the leading altcoin and platform for smart contracts. The current price of ETH is approximately $3,770, below recent peaks, with a market capitalisation of about $450 billion (≈12% of the market).
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is widely used for trading and settlements, with a market capitalisation of around $160 billion; the coin consistently holds around $1.00.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and the native token of the BNB Chain. BNB's value exceeds $1,000 (close to its all-time high), with a market capitalisation of approximately $160 billion. Despite ongoing regulatory risks surrounding Binance, the token remains in the top five due to its extensive application on the exchange and in DeFi.
- Ripple (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border settlements. XRP trades around $2.30; its market capitalisation is approximately $130 billion. Following legal clarity regarding XRP's status in the US in 2025, the coin retains its position among market leaders.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralised applications. SOL is valued at around $180 per coin (market capitalisation approximately $90 billion), recovering to levels seen in 2022. Interest in Solana is bolstered by expectations for ETF launch and the growth of its project ecosystem.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin backed by dollar reserves (issued by Circle). The price of USDC is maintained at $1.00, with a market capitalisation of around $64 billion. USDC is extensively utilised by institutional investors and in DeFi due to its transparency and regulatory backing.
- TRON (TRX) — a platform for smart contracts and decentralised applications particularly popular in Asia. TRX trades around $0.31, with a market capitalisation of ~ $28 billion. TRON retains a place in the top 10 due in part to its network being used for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the TRON blockchain).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, initially created as a joke. DOGE hovers around $0.18 (market capitalisation ~$26 billion), buoyed by a loyal community and periodic attention from celebrities. Although Dogecoin's volatility remains high, this coin continues to remain in the top ten, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform focusing on a scientific approach to development. ADA is priced at approximately $0.62 (market capitalisation ~$20 billion) following a recent price decline. Earlier this year, Cardano attracted attention with plans for launching its own ETF and an active community that believes in the project's long-term growth, allowing this coin to maintain its significance among major crypto assets.
Cryptocurrency Market as of the Morning of 18 October 2025
Major cryptocurrencies' prices:
- Bitcoin (BTC): $105,200
- Ethereum (ETH): $3,758
- XRP (XRP): $2.27
- BNB (BNB): $1,060
- Solana (SOL): $180
- Tether (USDT): $1.00
Market indicators:
- Total cryptocurrency market capitalisation: ~$3.70 trillion
- Bitcoin's share: 59.2%
- Fear and Greed Index: 24 (extreme fear)
Leaders in change over the last day:
- Increase: Bitcoin Cash (BCH) — +10%
- Decline: Conflux (CFX) — -9%
Analysis: Bitcoin and Ethereum are attempting to consolidate near current support levels; however, market sentiment remains cautious (sentiment index is in “fear”). The leader in growth, BCH, is seeing a local influx of interest amid low prices, while the decline in CFX appears to be due to profit-taking or negative news about the project. Overall, the leading crypto assets are holding their positions after the correction, but market participants are closely monitoring the situation's developments. Upcoming regulator decisions and macroeconomic signals may dictate the further price trajectory, hence investors are acting with an awareness of risks and volatility.
