Cryptocurrency News, Monday, 29th December 2025: Bitcoin Near $90,000 and Year-End Summary

Current Cryptocurrency News for Monday, 29 December 2025: Bitcoin and Ethereum Dynamics, Altcoin Movement, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies by Market Capitalisation, and Key Market Trends for Investors Worldwide.

As we approach the end of 2025, the digital asset market continues to consolidate. Bitcoin remains stable around the $88–89k mark after a record surge this autumn, while leading altcoins show mixed but generally moderately positive dynamics. Investors are exercising cautious optimism, buoyed by a more favourable regulatory environment and active participation from institutional players in the industry.

Cryptocurrency Market: Consolidation as the Year Ends

The global market capitalisation of cryptocurrencies has approached $3 trillion, slightly below recent record levels. In the days leading up to the holidays, there has been a slight decline in prices (approximately 1–2% per day) against a backdrop of low trading volumes. Investors are acting cautiously—the 'fear and greed' index for cryptocurrencies remains within the 'fear' zone. Nevertheless, the year 2025 has shown significant growth in the long term: for instance, in October, Bitcoin exceeded $126k, and is now returning to the $88k level, highlighting ongoing interest in crypto assets despite the December correction.

Bitcoin: Consolidation Around $90k

The largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Bitcoin (BTC), is trading in the vicinity of $87–88k (data as of 28 December). The market capitalisation of BTC exceeds $1.7 trillion, accounting for approximately 58–59% of the total cryptocurrency market. After reaching record highs above $120k this autumn, Bitcoin has seen a correction but retains support around the $84–88k range. Analysts suggest that overcoming the psychological barrier around ~$90–91k could set the tone for the market at the start of 2026. Market activity is influenced by institutional flows—by the year-end, substantial outflows have been observed from leading Bitcoin spot ETFs. For instance, the largest ETF, BlackRock (IBIT), saw its assets decrease by nearly 5% ($2.7 billion) within a few weeks, indicating a rapid capital redistribution. The dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the resumption of capital inflows from funds and global macroeconomic factors.

Ethereum: Strong Fundamentals, Price Lagging

The second-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation, Ethereum (ETH), is trading around $2,950, slightly lagging behind recent highs. Ethereum remains the primary platform for decentralised finance (DeFi), NFTs, and smart contracts, with the network significantly expanding its capacity over the past year. Recent protocol updates have improved scalability and lowered fees, stimulating increased activity—transaction volumes and token operations on Ethereum have reached record levels. However, ETH's price is pressured by general market factors and capital outflows: many holders have yet to recover losses incurred during price peaks. Experts expect that with Bitcoin stabilising, investor interest in Ethereum will rise as they shift focus back to Ethereum as the foundational asset of the blockchain ecosystem.

Altcoins: Divergent Trends Among Leaders

Among leading altcoins, mixed dynamics are observed: some coins are confidently rising, while others remain stagnant. Below are some important trends among top altcoins:

• Solana (SOL) – a high-speed blockchain attracting developers due to low fees. Following technical challenges last year, SOL has recovered and is trading around $125, with a market capitalisation of approximately $70 billion, maintaining its position in the top 10.
• XRP (Ripple) – the token of the Ripple payment system. In 2025, legal clarity regarding XRP's status has restored investor confidence. Despite the overall market correction, XRP has shown relative resilience: even amidst a market downturn, the token remains in demand as a payment asset.
• Binance Coin (BNB) – the coin of the Binance exchange and the BNB Chain platform. BNB is used to pay fees and has a wide ecosystem. Despite increasing regulatory scrutiny of Binance, the coin maintains strong positions (trading above $850) thanks to its numerous use cases within the ecosystem.
• Dogecoin (DOGE) and Cardano (ADA) – popular cryptocurrencies that are demonstrating relatively weak dynamics by the year's end. DOGE holds its place in the top ten due to strong community support, while ADA, a project with a scientific approach, still boasts a large following. Both coins have traded predominantly in narrow ranges in recent weeks, with no sharp movements.
• TRON (TRX) – a blockchain focused on digital entertainment and stablecoin support. A significant portion of USDT is issued on the TRON network, providing the TRX token (trading at around $0.28) with high demand, particularly in the Asian region.

Institutional Trends: Outflows from ETFs and Corporate Accumulation

Institutional investors continue to impact the market. Throughout 2025, the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US spurred increased interest in crypto assets, but by year-end, funds are beginning to register outflows. Moreover, corporate deals have surged; by year-end, the M&A volume in the crypto industry reached a record $8.6 billion (compared to approximately $2.2 billion in 2024), indicating growing confidence among major players and financial organisations. The largest deals included:

• the acquisition of the Deribit exchange by Coinbase for $2.9 billion (the largest acquisition in the history of the crypto sector);
• the purchase of the NinjaTrader futures platform by Kraken for $1.5 billion;
• the acquisition of the crypto broker Hidden Road by Ripple for $1.25 billion.

Concurrently, 2025 saw a surge in initial public offerings (IPOs): approximately $14.6 billion was raised through IPOs (compared to only $0.31 billion the previous year). Notable IPOs included the parent company of CoinDesk (Bullish, $1.1 billion), the stablecoin issuer USDC (Circle, over $1 billion), and the cryptocurrency exchange Gemini (~$0.425 billion). These deals reflect the eagerness of institutional players to access liquid crypto assets in the face of tightening regulations.

Major banks are once again returning to crypto: JPMorgan is exploring options for crypto trading for institutional clients, while U.S. Bank has resumed Bitcoin custody services for fund managers in partnership with NYDIG. In the US, Senator Lummis noted that proposed measures from US regulators could end the practice of 'debanking' cryptocurrency companies by banks. Thus, traditional financial institutions are preparing to integrate more actively into the digital asset market.

Macroeconomics and Investor Sentiment

Late December is characterised by moderately positive sentiment, albeit with signs of caution. The weakening US dollar and expectations of potential easing from the Federal Reserve support demand for risky assets and 'safe-haven' instruments. This week, prices for gold and silver reached historic highs amid geopolitical tension—a trend that typically favours Bitcoin as well. The cryptocurrency market has already reacted to these concerns: following a small dip, Bitcoin is showing signs of recovery, reflecting its role as digital gold.

Nevertheless, sentiment indicators, such as the cryptocurrency 'fear and greed' index, remain in the 'fear' zone, indicating a cautious mood among market participants. Key factors include central bank rate decisions and the overall economic backdrop: the future dynamics of the market will depend on macroeconomic conditions. For example, the increasing likelihood of a rate cut from the Federal Reserve in early 2026 could stimulate capital inflows into risky assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is often referred to as 'digital gold' due to its limited supply. In 2025, Bitcoin reached record levels above $120k and is now trading around $88k. The market capitalisation of BTC is approximately $1.7 trillion (around 58% of the total cryptocurrency market).
2. Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest cryptocurrency and leading platform for decentralised applications (DeFi, NFTs). The ETH token is used to pay fees on the Ethereum network. At the end of the year, its price is around $3,000, with a capitalisation of about $350 billion (~12% of the market).
3. Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar (1 USDT ≈ $1). USDT is widely used on exchanges as a means of exchange and storage value. Its market capitalisation is around $150 billion, reflecting the key role of stablecoins in the crypto economy.
4. Binance Coin (BNB) – the proprietary coin of the Binance exchange and BNB Chain platform. BNB is utilised to pay trading fees and as 'fuel' for the Binance Smart Chain. Thanks to Binance's wide ecosystem, the coin remains among the leaders by capitalisation (around $100 billion), sustaining considerable transaction volumes.
5. USD Coin (USDC) – one of the leading stablecoins, issued by the Centre consortium (Coinbase and Circle). USDC is fully backed by reserves and is known for its high transparency. In 2025, it gained popularity among institutional investors, achieving a capitalisation of about $60 billion.
6. XRP (Ripple) – the cryptocurrency of the Ripple payment network, designed for fast interbank transfers with low fees. In 2025, legal clarity (victories in legal disputes) restored confidence in XRP. The token's price is around $2.5, with a capitalisation of approximately $140 billion, returning it to the top five.
7. Solana (SOL) – a high-capacity blockchain with low transaction costs. Solana attracts DeFi and NFT application developers and is seen as a promising competitor to Ethereum. SOL remains in the top 10 with a capitalisation of around $80 billion.
8. Cardano (ADA) – a smart contract platform with a scientific approach to development. ADA is used for staking and for transaction fees on the Cardano blockchain. Despite slower growth, the project has a large community: ADA's capitalisation is approximately $28 billion, with a price close to $0.85.
9. Dogecoin (DOGE) – a well-known 'meme token' created as a joke but has become a major phenomenon. DOGE is supported by the community and high-profile individuals (e.g., Elon Musk). It is used for micropayments and tips online. The price of Dogecoin is around $0.18, with a capitalisation of about $26 billion.
10. TRON (TRX) – a blockchain focused on digital entertainment and stablecoin issuance. A significant portion of USDT and other stablecoins are issued on the TRON network due to its high speeds and low fees. The TRX token is trading at approximately $0.30, with a market capitalisation of about $27 billion.

Market Prospects at the Start of 2026

Analysts anticipate that 2026 will be characterised by gradual consolidation and more stable growth in the cryptocurrency market following the tumultuous year of 2025. The achievements of the past year lay the groundwork: the launch of crypto ETFs in the US, the implementation of MiCA in the European Union, technological upgrades of blockchains, and increased institutional participation. These factors make the industry more mature and resilient to shocks.

At the beginning of 2026, investors will be closely monitoring capital inflow dynamics: a resurgence of net inflows into crypto funds and ETFs after the holidays could catalyse the next phase of price growth. Simultaneously, the importance of macro factors remains—central bank decisions and global economic trends will dictate appetite for risk. Given the accumulated reserves of stablecoins, the market is positioned for rapid liquidity should sentiment improve. Overall, cryptocurrencies are firmly integrated into the global financial system, and their trajectory in 2026 will depend on both internal technological drivers and external economic conditions.