Current Cryptocurrency News for Thursday, December 18, 2025: Bitcoin Dynamics, Altcoin Market Situation, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies, Investor Sentiment, and Key Global Trends in Digital Assets.
The cryptocurrency market is entering the end of 2025 with heightened volatility. After a recent correction, the flagship Bitcoin (BTC) is consolidating around the $85–86,000 mark, maintaining support above key levels. Investors are showing caution: the fear and greed index has reached a record duration in the "extreme fear" zone, reflecting the prevailing nervousness in the market. Nevertheless, despite the sell-offs in altcoins, institutional interest in cryptocurrencies remains strong, and regulators are gradually providing more clarity regarding the rules of the game.
Market Overview: Correction and Investor Sentiment
Just a few months ago, the cryptocurrency market was on the rise, with Bitcoin reaching an all-time high of around $126,000 in mid-2025. However, a significant correction followed – approximately 30%, down to the current ~$85,000 for BTC. The total market capitalisation of cryptocurrencies has decreased to around $3 trillion, indicating a substantial profit-taking and a capital outflow from risky assets. Investor sentiment has notably deteriorated: the sentiment index "fear and greed" has remained in fear mode for an extended period, signalling that market participants are concerned about further declines. This is partly due to the macroeconomic backdrop – although the US Federal Reserve has begun to lower interest rates (the current range has dropped to 3.5–3.75%), concerns about the economy and the year-end have caused many to adopt a cautious stance. Nevertheless, several analysts note that such high levels of fear often precede market bottoms, indicating potential oversold conditions in the market.
Bitcoin: Consolidation After the Rally
Bitcoin is holding its position in the mid-$80,000 range, demonstrating relative stability after a rapid rally and subsequent correction. Sellers have dominated recently: short-term holders who gained substantial profits from the rise have transferred thousands of BTC onto exchanges, triggering a price drop to a recent low of ~$84–85,000. This decline has also impacted traditional markets – for instance, shares of MicroStrategy, which owns a significant Bitcoin stash, have mirrored the price drop of BTC, highlighting the correlation between cryptocurrencies and the stock market. However, below $80,000, Bitcoin has attracted demand from long-term investors: according to market participants, large "whales" and even some states (like El Salvador) seized the dip as an opportunity to buy more. Analysts identify the ~$70,000 area as an important long-term support level, while for Bitcoin to return to a bullish trend, it must overcome the psychological barrier of $100,000. Overall, despite the current decline and the prevailing fear, Bitcoin remains significantly higher than it was a year ago, reflecting its steady growth and status as "digital gold" in the eyes of many investors.
Ethereum and the Altcoin Market
Following Bitcoin, the largest altcoins have also come under pressure. The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Ethereum (ETH), has fallen below the psychologically important level of $3,000. Volatility intensified with a sharp surge in the liquidation of margin positions, which briefly pushed ETH down to its lowest levels in recent weeks. However, Ethereum remains the foundational platform for decentralised finance (DeFi) and NFTs, and interest in the network shows no signs of waning – recent network upgrades have improved its scalability, and developers are continuing to work on enhancing the protocol’s efficiency.
Other altcoins have shown mixed dynamics, mostly trending downwards. Many top assets incurred substantial one-day losses during the recent sell-off: for example, the price of Solana (SOL) dropped nearly 9% and briefly tested levels around $125. Pressure on Solana increased with reports of another DDoS attack on its network; however, the platform withstood the strain, and SOL prices stabilised, remaining among the top ten cryptocurrencies. The XRP token fell approximately 8% from its recent local highs – previously, XRP had nearly reached $2 on the wave of positive news regarding Ripple's legal victory over the SEC, but the overall market sentiment left little chance for this coin to avoid correction. Among other major altcoins, BNB is trading around $850, holding onto most of its gains from the year despite legal risks surrounding the Binance exchange. TRON (TRX) is showing relative stability (around $0.28), thanks to the ongoing use of the network for stablecoins and transfers, particularly in the Asian region. Even "meme" cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin (DOGE) felt the overall decline in sentiment – DOGE is fluctuating around $0.13, showing no surges, although the community remains loyal to the coin. Overall, the altcoin segment is influenced by a general flight from risk: investors are shrinking their positions in more volatile assets while awaiting market stabilisation. The exception may be some DeFi projects – thanks to recent news regarding regulation (see below), certain decentralised platforms managed to keep their drawdown minimal, indicating ongoing confidence in the prospects of the DeFi sector.
Regulatory News: New Directions and Precedents
The regulatory environment around cryptocurrencies is gradually clarifying, creating both risks and new opportunities for the market. In the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is signalling a more proactive approach to regulating the industry: recently, the SEC unexpectedly closed a lengthy four-year investigation into the DeFi platform Aave without taking any action. This move has been perceived positively by market participants, indicating the possibility of peaceful coexistence between decentralised financial services and regulatory requirements. At the same time, regulators continue to pursue dishonest players: for instance, Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon (responsible for the collapse of the Terra/Luna ecosystem in 2022) is facing new lawsuits and potential sentences, underscoring the determination of authorities worldwide to hold major crypto scandal figures accountable.
In Europe and the UK, a clearer regulatory course is taking shape. The UK has announced that it will finalise a comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation system by 2026, which will integrate digital assets into the legal framework alongside traditional finance under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) starting from 2027. These initiatives aim to provide greater transparency and protect investors, although they may lead to stricter requirements for crypto businesses. Concurrently, at the highest political level, cryptocurrencies are drawing attention: US President Donald Trump recently stated that he would consider pardoning Bitcoin wallet developer Samourai, convicted for violating financial regulations. This unusual gesture showcases how deeply the topic of cryptocurrencies has penetrated the public and political agenda. Overall, regulators are expected to focus more heavily on the crypto industry in 2026 – the establishment of clear "rules of the game" may reduce the level of uncertainty for major investors and accelerate institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Institutional Investors and Integration with Traditional Business
Despite the temporary cooling of retail interest, major institutional players continue to invest in cryptocurrencies and implement blockchain technologies. For instance, investment giant Fidelity recently confirmed that it has been actively increasing its Bitcoin positions during the price downturn. Fidelity's CEO Abigail Johnson publicly referred to Bitcoin as the "gold standard" of digital assets and stated that she personally owns BTC – such pronouncements from prominent financiers bolster confidence in the crypto market among conservative investors. Additionally, notable developments in the institutional realm include the emergence of exchange-traded products linked to Bitcoin: major asset managers like BlackRock have launched exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and notes tied to Bitcoin. This provides traditional financial institutions with an easier and regulated means of gaining exposure to crypto assets, which has already attracted billions of dollars in new investments into the sector.
The integration of blockchain into existing financial infrastructure is also gaining momentum. A prominent example is Visa's partnership with the Solana network: representatives from the Solana Foundation have reported that banks are beginning to use the Solana blockchain for instant international payments, with transaction volumes through Visa on the Solana network reaching $3.5 billion annually. This case demonstrates the practical application of crypto technologies in global payments, reducing costs and transaction times. Major technology and financial companies are increasingly exploring ways to apply cryptocurrencies and blockchain, recognising their potential.
It's also worth noting the strategies of some public companies associated with crypto assets. For instance, as mentioned earlier, MicroStrategy, which holds one of the largest corporate Bitcoin reserves, continues to adhere to a "buy and hold" strategy despite the price downturn. Mining companies are also seeking new growth paths: for example, major miner Hut 8 is diversifying through a $7 billion deal aimed at launching data centres for artificial intelligence – this indicates that the crypto industry is beginning to intersect with other high-tech sectors. Collectively, the activity of institutional investors and corporations suggests long-term confidence: even in a correction phase, they view cryptocurrencies as a strategic asset and a foundation for innovation.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies: Market Leaders
Despite market fluctuations, long-standing crypto assets occupy leading positions by market capitalisation. Below is the list of the top 10 largest cryptocurrencies as of the end of 2025, along with their key characteristics:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – The first and largest cryptocurrency, with BTC accounting for about 60% of the total market. The current price is around $86,000 per coin; Bitcoin serves as a digital analogue to gold and a barometer of sentiment across the entire industry.
- Ethereum (ETH) – The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation (~11–12% of the market). A smart contract platform that underpins the DeFi and NFT ecosystems. The price of ETH is around $3,000; the coin powers thousands of decentralised applications.
- Tether (USDT) – The largest stablecoin, pegged to the US dollar 1:1. USDT's capitalisation exceeds $180 billion, reflecting the enormous demand for a digital equivalent of the dollar for trading and hedging risks in the crypto market.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – The token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the native currency of the BNB Chain blockchain. The capitalisation is around $120 billion, with a price of ~ $850. BNB is used to pay fees and participate in ecosystem projects, remaining one of the most sought-after utility tokens.
- XRP (XRP) – A cryptocurrency related to the Ripple payment platform, focusing on cross-border bank transfers. XRP has regained its place in the top five: its capitalisation is ~ $118 billion, and the price is close to $2 following progress in Ripple's legal battle with regulators.
- USD Coin (USDC) – The second-largest stablecoin, issued by a consortium led by Circle. Capitalisation is around $78 billion. Like USDT, USDC is strictly pegged to $1 and is used by institutional players due to its reputation as a transparent and regulated asset.
- Solana (SOL) – A high-performance blockchain known for fast transactions and low fees. SOL remains firmly in the top ten, with an approximate market capitalisation of $73 billion and a price around $130. In 2025, Solana attracted attention through its partnership with Visa and the growth of DeFi projects on its platform.
- TRON (TRX) – A blockchain platform focused on entertainment and content, mainly known for its active use in the field of stablecoins (USDT on the Tron network). The market value of TRX is approximately $26 billion, with a price around $0.28. Tron is popular in Asia and continues to see stable growth in users.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – The most popular "meme" cryptocurrency, which began as a joke but has become part of the top ten. Capitalisation is ~ $20 billion, with a price of ~$0.13. Supported by enthusiasts and periodically mentioned by renowned entrepreneurs, this leads to price surges.
- Cardano (ADA) – A blockchain platform emphasising a scientific approach to development. Capitalisation is ~ $14 billion, with a price around $0.39. Despite a modest price compared to historical highs, Cardano retains a strong community and continues to release technological updates, keeping its place among the top ten cryptocurrencies.
Outlook and Conclusions
The current state of the cryptocurrency market is characterised by contradiction: on one hand, price charts and sentiment indices indicate caution and fear, while on the other hand, fundamental factors appear more positive than they might seem. A prolonged period of "extreme fear" and significant correction may indicate that the market is nearing a local bottom. Historically, periods of panic sentiment (low values on the fear and greed index, sharp price pullbacks) have often preceded upward trend reversals. Many analysts believe that in 2026, against the backdrop of an improving macroeconomic situation and increasing institutional involvement, cryptocurrencies are poised to resume growth. For instance, Grayscale expects that Bitcoin could reach a new all-time high in the first half of 2026, coinciding with the traditional four-year market cycle and continued blockchain integration into global finance.
However, market participants should remain aware of the ongoing volatility and potential new shocks. Regulatory activity will remain one of the key factors: clarity regarding the rules of the game could accelerate the inflow of institutional capital, but tight oversight may temporarily restrict risky innovations. In the coming months, there may be both technical price rebounds within the correction and periods of consolidation, especially if Bitcoin continues to trade below the psychological level of $100,000. At the same time, long-term trends – such as the next Bitcoin mining reward halving in 2028, the expansion of cryptocurrency market infrastructure, and integration with the traditional economy – serve as drivers that could provide the market with new momentum.
In conclusion, despite temporary challenges, the cryptocurrency market remains global and dynamic. Business-minded investors are currently carefully evaluating risks and opportunities: some view the ongoing developments as necessary adjustments to an overheated market, while others see an opportunity to enter a promising market at more attractive prices. The cryptocurrency industry is moving into a new stage of maturity – with clearer rules, participation from larger sums, and real use cases. This indicates that in the coming year, it will continue to capture the attention of both novice and professional investors worldwide.
