Current Cryptocurrency News as of 23 October 2025: Bitcoin Holds Above $110,000, Altcoins on the Rise, Ethereum Analysis, Cryptocurrency Market Trends and Top 10 Cryptocurrencies by Market Capitalisation.
As of Thursday morning, 23 October 2025, the cryptocurrency market is showing strong signs of recovery after recent volatility. Bitcoin remains firmly above the $110,000 mark, reaffirming its status as "digital gold" amid a weakening of prices for physical precious metals. At the same time, altcoins are experiencing an upward trend, instilling hope in investors for the long-awaited altseason. Below we will analyse the key news and trends in the cryptocurrency market relevant to investors today.
Cryptocurrency Market Overview
October has proven to be a month of sharp contrasts for the crypto market. At the beginning of the month, Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of over $125,000, but by 10 October a sudden sell-off occurred — an escalation in the US-China trade conflict prompted BTC to drop to around $102,000, causing the total market capitalisation to fall below $4 trillion. By mid-month, the situation stabilised: investors actively bought the dip, and digital assets resumed their upward trajectory against a backdrop of reduced external risks and new institutional inflows.
Bitcoin Holds Above $110,000 After Record Surge
In the first ten days of the month, the flagship cryptocurrency Bitcoin surpassed the psychological threshold of $100,000 and established a new price record of around $126,000. The rapid rally was supported by active institutional purchases amidst a more accommodating stance from US authorities regarding cryptocurrencies and a weakening dollar. The subsequent correction brought the price down to a minimum of approximately $102,000; however, by the third week of October, BTC had reclaimed a significant portion of its losses. Bitcoin is currently trading within the range of $108,000–$113,000, displaying a phase of consolidation. Experts believe that a pause following such intense growth is necessary for the market to cool down emotionally, after which a renewed upward trend may resume. Many investors continue to view BTC as a risk-hedging tool; against the backdrop of uncertainty in the global economy and declining gold prices, Bitcoin has solidified its reputation as "digital gold."
Ethereum Returns to $4,000
The second-largest digital asset by market capitalisation, Ethereum (ETH), has robustly recovered in tandem with Bitcoin. By the end of October, the ETH price has exceeded $4,000, rebounding from a local minimum of roughly $3,700. Ethereum demonstrated relative resilience during the recent market sell-off: the decline was less dramatic, and by mid-month the leading altcoin returned to an upward trend. Institutional interest in ETH is also increasing — this autumn, the first ETF for Ethereum was approved in the US, simplifying access for large investors to this asset. Simultaneously, the Ethereum ecosystem continues to develop: the implementation of second-layer scaling technologies and the transition to more efficient protocols are enhancing the platform's attractiveness for long-term investment. Ethereum continues to play a crucial role in the field of decentralised finance (DeFi) and NFTs, maintaining approximately 20% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalisation.
Altcoins: Growing Optimism and Prospects for "Altseason"
In addition to Ethereum, several other leading altcoins are showing solid growth, especially following a decline in Bitcoin's dominance below 60%. Investors are reallocating capital towards high-cap altcoins in anticipation of higher returns as Bitcoin's growth slows. Notably, projects such as Solana and XRP have seen significant price increases in recent days. Below are some of the most noteworthy movements in the altcoin market:
- Solana (SOL): A high-performance blockchain platform that has attracted significant investments. During the correction, SOL even increased by approximately 4%, and is currently trading around $180, approximately 20% above the month’s lows. Institutional interest is bolstered by news of a potential first spot ETF for Solana, while trading volumes on decentralized exchanges in this network have exceeded $90 billion.
- XRP (Ripple): The token of the Ripple payment network has managed to recover after a drop of more than 20% during October's turbulence. XRP is currently stabilised around $2.3, bolstered by growing institutional interest. The first futures ETF for XRP has been launched on the Nasdaq, while regulators in Brazil have approved a spot XRP-ETF — these developments enhance confidence in the token on a global scale. Following Ripple's legal victory over the SEC in 2024, XRP is gradually reclaiming its position as one of the leading cryptocurrencies for international transfers.
In addition, the meme coin Dogecoin, along with platform tokens Cardano and Tron, have recouped some losses, showing double-digit growth from their recent lows. The overall decline in Bitcoin's share (to approximately 58% from over 60% a month earlier) indicates a potential rotation of capital into altcoins. If this trend continues, the fourth quarter of 2025 could see a full-fledged "altseason" — a period during which many alternative cryptocurrencies surpass Bitcoin in growth rates.
Institutional Investors and Regulation: New Market Drivers
The year 2025 has marked an unprecedented influx of institutional capital into the cryptocurrency market. One of the key factors has been exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which have provided a convenient entry point for traditional investors. According to industry reports, total investments in spot Bitcoin ETFs this year have exceeded $25 billion, while BlackRock's flagship iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has accumulated nearly $100 billion under management, accounting for approximately 6.5% of all circulating Bitcoins. Thanks to ETFs, cryptocurrencies are becoming increasingly integrated into traditional finance: major banks and asset managers are including Bitcoin and Ethereum in their portfolios as strategic reserve assets.
The regulatory environment is also evolving towards greater leniency for digital assets. In the United States, support for crypto innovations has strengthened: the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) greenlighted not only Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs in 2025 but also several altcoin-based funds (including ETFs for XRP). A similar trend is observable worldwide: regulators are easing restrictions. For instance, Japan’s main financial regulator is considering changes that would allow local banks to directly hold Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for their clients. In the European Union, a comprehensive regulatory framework known as MiCA is coming into force, establishing uniform rules for the industry. These measures enhance trust among institutional investors and reduce barriers for large players to enter the market.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
Below is the current ranking of the ten largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation (as of the end of October 2025), along with a brief description of the current situation for each:
- Bitcoin (BTC): The first and largest cryptocurrency, trading at around $110,000 per coin. Bitcoin maintains over 50% of market share; this month it reached a new all-time high and remains the primary "digital gold" for investors.
- Ethereum (ETH): The second-largest crypto asset (~$4,000). Ethereum is the foundational platform for smart contracts and DeFi, recovering in price and enjoying demand from institutional investors (the first ETFs on ETH have been launched).
- Tether (USDT): The largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar (price ~$1). USDT plays a key role in the ecosystem by providing liquidity for trading and hedging.
- BNB (BNB): The internal currency of the Binance ecosystem, the largest cryptocurrency exchange (price around $1,070). BNB is used to pay fees and in applications on the BNB Chain; it remains a top 5 performer due to its broad ecosystem.
- XRP (XRP): The token of the Ripple payment network (~$2.3). XRP is focused on fast transactions and international transfers; following regulatory successes and the launch of exchange-traded products, interest in XRP has increased, strengthening its market position.
- Solana (SOL): A blockchain platform with high throughput (~$180 per token). Solana is renowned for its rapid transactions and growing DeFi ecosystem; in 2025 it is attracting institutional attention amid speculation about an ETF and record trading volumes on its platforms.
- USD Coin (USDC): A major stablecoin backed by the US dollar (price ~$1). USDC is widely used in trading and DeFi due to its reputation as a reliable and regulated asset.
- Tron (TRX): A cryptocurrency of the Tron network (~$0.31). Tron focuses on high performance for decentralised applications and is actively used in stablecoin issuance. The project is taking steps towards compatibility with Ethereum and is aiming for its own ETF products.
- Dogecoin (DOGE): A well-known meme coin (around $0.19). Originally created as a joke, Dogecoin has gained massive popularity thanks to its online community. In 2025, DOGE continues to attract speculation, particularly in light of the overall rise in altcoins.
- Cardano (ADA): A blockchain platform focusing on a scientific approach and reliability (~$0.63 per token). Cardano is developing its own DeFi infrastructure; new stablecoin integrations are anticipated, as well as the eventual emergence of ETFs. ADA confidently enters the top ten, reflecting community trust in the project's long-term potential.
Looking Ahead: Expectations for the End of the Year
Overall, the cryptocurrency market is entering the final months of 2025 with cautious optimism. Having overcome the shock of early October, the industry has demonstrated maturity and the ability to recover swiftly. Key factors will include macroeconomic and political events: market participants are closely watching the Federal Reserve's policy (with indications of a dovish monetary stance anticipated) and the progress of trade negotiations between the US and China against the backdrop of new tariff threats. If external conditions remain favourable, Bitcoin may continue to move towards new highs while altcoins realise their potential in the anticipated altseason. However, investors should remain aware of the high volatility and risks in the crypto market and diversify their assets.
The year 2025 has already entered the annals of history with the mass recognition of cryptocurrencies — from record Bitcoin prices to unprecedented institutional inflows.
