Current Cryptocurrency News for Wednesday, December 24, 2025: Bitcoin Holds Steady Around $85k, Weak Altcoin Activity, Continuing Institutional Inflows, and Cautious Predictions for the New Year.
As of the morning of December 24, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is exhibiting relative calm as the holiday season approaches. Bitcoin is consolidating around the $85–90k range, forming a base following a deep autumn correction. Ethereum and most major altcoins are trading with little change, making only moderate attempts at recovery. The total market capitalisation of cryptocurrencies remains around $3 trillion, with Bitcoin accounting for approximately 60% of the total volume. Market participants are maintaining caution as they await external signals, hoping for a slight "Christmas rally" in the final days of the year.
Market Overview: Consolidation and Cautious Sentiments
Midweek, Bitcoin (BTC) remains relatively stable, holding a key support level around $85,000. In recent days, its price has fluctuated in the $85–90k range, indicating reduced volatility following a sharp price drop in October and subsequent partial recovery in November. Simultaneously, Ethereum (ETH) has stabilised around $3,000, attempting to claw back losses from late autumn. Many large altcoins—from Binance Coin to Solana—remain under pressure: their quotes have declined over the past week, while Bitcoin's market dominance has slightly increased (to ~60%). Technical indicators for several altcoins suggest they are oversold, potentially setting the stage for short-term rebounds for specific tokens.
Overall, the cryptocurrency market is balancing between caution and hopes for growth. Macroeconomic uncertainty (including expectations around central bank decisions) is restraining risk appetite among some investors. At the same time, ongoing institutional capital investments instil moderate optimism. Globally, the year 2025 has been turbulent for digital assets: following record growth in the first half of the year, a substantial correction followed in the latter half. Investors are now trying to discern whether the current consolidation phase will serve as a springboard for a new upward trend in the upcoming year of 2026.
Bitcoin: Market Flagship at a Crossroads
In 2025, Bitcoin has experienced a rollercoaster ride on the price charts. At the beginning of October, the first cryptocurrency reached an all-time high of around $126,000, followed by a dramatic decline. This drop was triggered by significant profit-taking after an extended rally and external shocks—for instance, the introduction of new trade tariffs in the US during autumn, which heightened tension in the financial markets. By the end of November, BTC's price had dipped to around $85,000, finding strong support. Currently, Bitcoin is holding at relatively high historical levels of approximately $85–88k, although this is significantly below the year's peak values.
The market capitalisation of BTC is estimated at around $1.7–1.8 trillion (about 60% of the total cryptocurrency capitalisation), underscoring Bitcoin's dominant role in the market. Analysts note that the successful defence of the $80–85k range bolsters investor confidence in establishing a base for new growth. Should sentiments improve, Bitcoin may make another attempt to overcome the psychologically significant barrier of $100,000. Notably, for the first time since 2022, BTC may finish the calendar year with negative dynamics relative to the previous one: in December 2025, its price remains approximately 10% lower than it was a year ago. Nevertheless, long-term holders are in no rush to part with the asset. On the contrary, the realised capitalisation of Bitcoin has reached a record high, indicating that total investments in BTC are at the highest level ever, despite the recent correction. This fact demonstrates the continued long-term trust in Bitcoin.
Ethereum and Leading Altcoins: Mixed Dynamics
Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, is gradually recovering from the autumn downturn. The current price of ETH hovers around $3,000—approximately 40% lower than its yearly peak of around $4,800 in August; however, Ethereum remains the foundational platform for smart contracts and decentralised finance. Thanks to widespread utilisation in DeFi and NFT ecosystems, the fundamental demand for ETH continues to be supported. In 2025, the Ethereum network successfully transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake algorithm, with the development team preparing new updates aimed at enhancing network scalability and reducing fees. Institutional investors have not lost interest in Ethereum: following the launch of the first spot Ethereum ETFs in the US, significant capital inflows into these instruments have been recorded, strengthening ETH's positions in the market.
The broader altcoin market displays uneven dynamics. Many leading altcoins are trading significantly below their peak values. For instance, Ripple (XRP) hovers around $2.0 (notably, following Ripple's legal victory over the SEC in July, the price peaked at around $3.0), while Cardano (ADA) has slumped to approximately $0.40—despite reaching above $0.80 on speculations of an ETF launch in the autumn. Conversely, some projects are showing signs of life. The high-performance platform Solana (SOL), after plummeting to around $125, managed to bounce back to around $150 on news of potential ETF approvals based on its technology. Meanwhile, Binance's BNB token, which previously exceeded $1,000, is now under pressure in the $600–650 range due to ongoing regulatory uncertainty surrounding Binance. Overall, investors are currently favouring more reliable assets: Bitcoin's share of total cryptocurrency capitalisation has increased over recent months. This reflects a partial capital outflow from high-risk altcoins into BTC and ETH in the face of increased market volatility.
Institutional Investment and ETF Funds
One of the key trends of the outgoing year has been the increased presence of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency market. Major financial firms are actively integrating digital assets into their investment strategies. In the US, a historic event occurred: regulators approved the launch of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin and Ethereum. This significantly eased access to cryptocurrencies for hedge funds, asset managers, and even pension programmes via familiar fund instruments. According to industry reports, the total capital under the management of cryptocurrency investment funds reached approximately $180 billion by the end of 2025, reflecting a gradual return of trust from major players in the industry.
Even amid recent price fluctuations, institutions have continued to increase their investments in digital assets. In December, inflows into crypto funds have been recorded for the third consecutive week. During the last week, approximately $600–700 million of new investments flowed into global cryptocurrency-focused products. Experts characterise the sentiments of institutional participants as "cautiously optimistic": investors are increasing their exposure to crypto assets while avoiding excessive risks, focusing on the largest coins (Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP). Alongside investments via funds, corporations also continue strategic purchases of cryptocurrencies. For instance, the well-known company MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, took advantage of the market downturn during autumn, buying additional Bitcoins, bringing its BTC reserves to a record level. The presence of such players provides long-term support for the market and increases trust among a broader audience of investors. At the same time, individual high-profile events serve as reminders of the inherent risks: for example, an October wave of margin liquidations totalling approximately $19 billion demonstrated that even with increased institutional participation, the cryptocurrency market remains susceptible to sudden shocks.
Regulation and Global Factors
The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies has evolved significantly in 2025. In the United States, progress has been made following several years of uncertainty: court precedents (notably, Ripple's partial victory over the SEC) have clarified the legal status of certain tokens, and Congress is advancing a comprehensive digital asset bill. It is expected that in 2026, this will establish unified rules for regulating the cryptocurrency market in the US—from the issuance of stablecoins to the taxation of crypto transactions. In the European Union, by the end of the year, the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation came into force, unifying rules for dealing with cryptocurrencies across all EU countries and enhancing market transparency. Meanwhile, Asia is experiencing a mixed approach: financial hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore are striving to become crypto hubs by implementing clear rules for the industry, while China continues to maintain strict restrictions on cryptocurrency trading.
The overall macroeconomic situation also influences the sentiments of crypto investors. By the end of 2025, the world's largest central banks are maintaining relatively high interest rates. However, inflation in the US and Europe is gradually slowing down, and markets are pricing in expectations of a monetary policy easing in 2026. The prospect of interest rate cuts could support demand for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, in the coming year. Geopolitical factors and key economic indicators remain in the market participants' focus: any changes—from decisions by the Federal Reserve on interest rates to global economic growth data—could impact appetite for digital assets. If global regulation becomes more transparent and the macroeconomic backdrop improves, uncertainty will diminish, potentially leading to a new influx of capital into cryptocurrency markets worldwide.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
Even amid volatility, investors continue to focus primarily on the ten largest digital assets, which largely set the tone for the entire market:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency, digital "gold" with a limited supply of 21 million coins. BTC remains the primary barometer for the industry (about 60% of the overall market capitalisation) and attracts institutional investors as a store of value.
- Ethereum (ETH) – the leading smart contracts platform and altcoin №1 by capitalisation (~12% of the market). The Ethereum blockchain underpins DeFi and NFT ecosystems. In 2025, Ethereum successfully transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake algorithm, boosting interest in it as the "digital oil" of the blockchain industry.
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT provides high liquidity in cryptocurrency markets, allowing participants to swiftly move capital into and out of dollar equivalents for transactions and protection against volatility.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and its associated blockchain network, BNB Chain. BNB is used to pay fees and participate in Binance ecosystem services, keeping it in the top 5 cryptocurrencies globally. Despite regulatory pressure on Binance, the broad application of the token maintains strong demand.
- Ripple (XRP) – the token of the Ripple payment network, designed for fast international transfers. XRP has attracted investor attention again following legal clarity in the US: the court confirmed that XRP sales do not violate securities laws. The removal of significant legal uncertainty has strengthened XRP's position among market leaders, although its price remains below historical highs.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second largest stablecoin issued by the Centre consortium (in collaboration with Circle and Coinbase). USDC is fully backed by dollar reserves and undergoes regular audits, gaining the trust of institutional players. This digital dollar is widely used in trading and DeFi as a reliable means of capital storage and transactions.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralised applications, known for its transaction speed and low fees. Recovering from the 2022 crisis, Solana has regained its footing by 2025, launching new DeFi and NFT projects on its platform. Investor interest is also piqued by the prospect of ETFs based on SOL, despite the recent price correction of the token.
- TRON (TRX) – a blockchain platform popular in Asia for creating smart contracts, entertainment, and issuing stablecoins. TRX remains in the top 10 due to the continuous growth of its user base and the development of decentralised applications. A significant portion of USDT tokens is issued on the TRON blockchain, supporting the demand for this network.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, which initially emerged as an internet joke. Despite its humorous origins, DOGE has become a significant asset thanks to its dedicated community and periodic support from influential entrepreneurs on social media. The volatility of Dogecoin remains high, but its network effect and widespread recognition allow this coin to maintain its position among the largest by market capitalisation.
- Cardano (ADA) – a smart contracts blockchain platform developed with a scientific approach and rigorous code verification. ADA boasts one of the most active communities in the industry and remains in the top ten, although the real-world adoption of applications built on its platform is progressing slower than developers had anticipated. The project attracts long-term investors betting on the reliability and scalability of the network in the future.
Prospects: Cautious Optimism
As 2026 approaches, the cryptocurrency market is adopting a mood of cautious optimism. The prolonged correction in the second half of 2025 has somewhat cooled participants' ardour, and the traditional "Santa Claus rally" is yet to be observed—December is passing without a surge in prices. Nevertheless, potential drivers lie ahead that could give digital assets an impulse as the new year begins. Factors that investors are monitoring particularly closely include:
- Easing of Monetary Policy. Should the largest central banks transition to lowering interest rates in 2026, improvements in the macroeconomic background could enhance the attractiveness of risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
- New Investment Products. The expansion of regulated crypto-ETFs and other investment instruments will provide access to the market for an even greater number of institutional investors. New capital inflows through such products could support market growth.
- Technological Development. The launch of key blockchain updates (such as Ethereum's scaling solutions), broader adoption of blockchain technologies in business processes, and the emergence of new popular decentralised applications (dApps) are factors that could bolster trust in the industry and stimulate demand for crypto assets.
The general consensus forecast for the near term remains moderately positive. According to estimates from the derivatives market, the probability of Bitcoin surpassing the $100,000 mark in the early months of 2026 does not exceed 40–50%. However, the risks of significant declines are currently assessed as limited. Most analysts believe that after a prolonged phase of consolidation, the cryptocurrency market has chances to return to growth in the coming year. If favourable conditions arise—from improving macroeconomic situations to the advent of clear global regulatory rules—the total capitalisation of cryptocurrencies could soar to new heights, surpassing the $4–5 trillion mark once again. At the same time, experts caution that the market structure has changed: Bitcoin's dominance will likely remain heightened until global risks decrease, and trust in altcoins is fully restored.
Thus, the cryptocurrency industry approaches the beginning of 2026, retaining its status as one of the most dynamic and discussed sectors of the financial market. Global investors will continue to seek a balance between high potential returns and accompanying risks while constructing diversified strategies. The cautious optimism that has emerged in the market towards the year's end could serve as the foundation for a new phase of growth for digital assets in the coming year.
