Cryptocurrency News for Tuesday, 30 December 2025. Bitcoin trades around $90,000, Ethereum strengthens above $3,000, altcoins show growth. Market overview and top 10 cryptocurrencies for investors.
At the beginning of the last week of December, global cryptocurrencies are demonstrating mixed volatility. Bitcoin has struggled to break the $90,000 mark, while Ethereum temporarily surpassed $3,000. However, a full festive rally did not occur: prices quickly retreated as markets await clarity on regulatory initiatives and external risks. Investors are acting cautiously amid macroeconomic fluctuations, but institutional demand remains a positive factor.
Bitcoin Fluctuates Near Record Levels
On Monday, 29 December, BTC showed unusual activity for a festive period. During Asian trading hours, the price of Bitcoin rose by about 3%, exceeding $90,200, but by Tuesday morning had retreated below $88,000 due to profit-taking. Thus, "digital gold" did not support the traditional Christmas rally: even amid a general recovery in stock markets, Bitcoin corrected. Bitcoin's volatility remains elevated as investors await new signals from global regulators.
Ethereum and Altcoins Show Growth
The second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Ethereum, has performed best among major coins. The price of ETH has risen by more than 4%, surpassing the $3,000 mark. This success is partly due to positive expectations — developers have approved plans for grand network upgrades (the "Glamsterdam" and "Hegota" hard forks) aimed at improving its throughput and security (including through the implementation of Verkle trees).
Additionally, there is a growing interest in altcoins within the cryptocurrency market. For instance, Solana and Binance Coin have each gained over 3% in the last 24 hours, while Bitcoin's market share has fallen below 60%. These figures indicate increasing demand for alternative projects: due to their high speed and low fees, Solana and BNB have become attractive tools in DeFi and payments. Other projects, such as Cardano and Chainlink, remain popular, continuing to attract interest thanks to their technologies.
Institutional Investors Increase Their Holdings
Major institutional players are continuing to build their reserves of crypto assets. Analysts estimate that corporate "treasuries of digital assets" have brought their Bitcoin reserves to around 5% of the total supply of the coin (over $95 billion), while the volume of ETH on the balance sheets of these funds is approaching 5% of the supply (approximately $18 billion). Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin and Ethereum are also attracting significant sums: assets under management in such funds amount to around $113 billion in Bitcoin and nearly $18 billion in Ethereum.
Conversely, some long-term holders are reducing their positions. Reports indicate that in 2025, "old" holders (those who have held BTC for over five years) sold coins worth tens of billions of dollars, particularly following the record price in October. These sales have pressured the market; however, institutional purchases have partially offset the effect. As a result, large investors continue to buy on dips, while the market awaits new growth drivers.
Regulation and the Global Landscape
Globally, regulators are clarifying rules for digital assets. In the US, the administration continues its support for the industry: in 2025, a law on stablecoins (the GENIUS Act) was enacted, and discussions are underway regarding the establishment of a government reserve of cryptocurrencies from confiscated funds. The European Union is introducing the DAC8 directive, effective from 1 January 2026, which obliges exchanges and providers to provide detailed transaction information to tax authorities and allows for the freezing of accounts in cases of tax evasion. Additionally, in Russia, the Central Bank has completed the preparation of a cryptocurrency regulation concept, expanding access to them for qualified and retail investors.
Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation. Often referred to as "digital gold" for its role as a safe-haven asset and limited supply. Amidst overall volatility, Bitcoin maintains its status as a foundational asset for investors and continues to attract substantial institutional investments.
- Ethereum (ETH) — the second largest cryptocurrency and the leading platform for smart contracts. Ethereum supports a vast ecosystem of DeFi and NFT applications. Updates aimed at enhancing throughput and reducing fees are scheduled for 2026, bolstering the long-term investment appeal of ETH.
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. Tether provides high liquidity in the market and serves as the primary "proxy" asset for traders between various cryptocurrencies. With its stable price and recognition on leading exchanges, USDT remains popular.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the native token of the Binance exchange ecosystem. BNB is used for trading fees, participation in token sales, and operates within the Binance Smart Chain blockchain. The expansion of Binance services and promotion of projects on this platform make BNB a sought-after tool.
- XRP (Ripple) — the cryptocurrency of the Ripple payment network. XRP is aimed at facilitating fast international transfers and is supported by several financial institutions for optimising settlements. Despite regulatory challenges, XRP continues to be in demand as a means of interbank transactions.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second most traded stablecoin issued by Circle. USDC is stable due to constant backing in dollars and transparent audits. This token is widely used in trading and DeFi applications for storing liquidity alongside Tether.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain for decentralised applications. Solana stands out for its high transaction processing speed and low fees, making it attractive for DeFi and NFT projects. SOL ranks among the leaders in returns among altcoins.
- TRON (TRX) — a blockchain platform originally focused on entertainment content and decentralised applications. TRX is the main token of the Tron network, where it is used for paying services and staking. The platform attracts users with its high throughput and partnerships with media projects.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — a meme coin created with humorous intent. Dogecoin has no supply cap and is supported by an active community. Thanks to its recognition among the general public and support from opinion leaders, DOGE remains one of the most recognisable cryptocurrencies.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain based on a research-driven approach (Ouroboros consensus). Cardano provides smart contract functionality with a focus on security and scalability. ADA has a robust community and is continually evolving, solidifying its position as one of the significant projects in the crypto ecosystem.
Trends for 2026
Analysts expect the continuation of established trends into the next year. Venture funds are highlighting key directions: the integration of artificial intelligence into crypto services, the growth of the stablecoin market, and the development of new lending models on the blockchain. These factors indicate a transition to a more institutionalised market. The main risks remain macroeconomic instability and the pace of regulatory reforms, while technological innovations and the support of major investors are the primary growth drivers. As a result, by 2026, the crypto market is preparing to become more mature and diversified.
