Current Cryptocurrency News for Thursday, 11 December 2025: Bitcoin Consolidates Ahead of Fed Decision, Ethereum Outperforms the Market, Hopes for Year-End Rally Remain, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies
By the morning of 11 December 2025, the cryptocurrency market is demonstrating relative stability after recovering from November's decline. One of the worst Novembers in recent years has been followed by a cautious uptick in early December: Bitcoin has bounced back from local lows and is consolidating, while key altcoins are showing moderate growth, having stabilised after recent volatility. The overall market capitalisation remains around $3.2 trillion, with Bitcoin dominance at approximately 60%. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index is currently situated in the "fear" zone, reflecting the cautious mindset of investors. Market participants are assessing whether the current consolidation will lead to a year-end rally or if volatility will continue.
Bitcoin: Consolidation Ahead of Fed Decision
At the beginning of autumn, Bitcoin (BTC) reached a new all-time high of around $126,000 (on 6 October), after which a sharp correction occurred. Mass profit-taking and a cascade of margin position liquidations in October and November caused the price to drop to approximately $85,000 by the end of November (a recent low). However, in December, the leading cryptocurrency is showing signs of recovery: the price has returned to levels above $90,000 and has been trading in a range of approximately $90,000 to $95,000 in recent days, consolidating after the rebound. The current BTC value is nearly 10% above November's lows. Bitcoin's market capitalisation is estimated at around $1.8 trillion, accounting for approximately 59-60% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalisation.
Investors are cautiously awaiting the results of the Federal Reserve's December meeting, which could significantly influence Bitcoin's dynamics. It is anticipated that the Fed's decisions regarding interest rates (with a signal for a decrease expected for the first time in several years) could catalyse the cryptocurrency market: easing monetary policy would increase liquidity and risk appetite, supporting BTC's price. Analysts at the London Crypto Club note that in the near term, liquidity infusion through the Fed's policy easing could provide a boost to the leading cryptocurrency's growth.
Meanwhile, traders are preparing for increased volatility. The team at QCP Capital believes that in the coming weeks, Bitcoin will trade within a broad range of approximately $84,000 to $100,000, reacting to macroeconomic news. Some experts are sceptical about the so-called "Santa Claus rally": Bloomberg strategist Mike McGlone warns that a year-end surge may not materialise, forecasting that by the year's end, BTC could be trading below $84,000.
Major financial institutions have revised their short-term Bitcoin forecasts following the recent decline. For instance, Standard Chartered has lowered its end-of-2025 price target for BTC from the previous $200,000 to $100,000, considering the November correction. Nevertheless, a long-term bullish outlook persists: Standard Chartered still expects Bitcoin to reach $500,000, albeit over a longer horizon (by 2030, instead of the previously forecasted 2028). Overall, despite recent fluctuations, Bitcoin retains its status as "digital gold" and is in demand among both retail and institutional investors who perceive it as a means of preserving value amidst global economic uncertainty.
Ethereum and Major Altcoins
Following Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH) also experienced a correction in the latter part of autumn. Back in early November, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation reached a multi-year peak (ETH was over $5,000 at the height of the rally) but subsequently declined along with the market. Currently, Ethereum is trading around $3,300, having recovered from November's lows (which dipped below $2,800). Over the past week, ETH has outperformed Bitcoin, demonstrating a double-digit increase (over +10%), while BTC has gained about 4%. Ethereum's market capitalisation stands at around $400 billion (approximately 13% of the total market). Ethereum continues to serve as the fundamental platform for the DeFi and NFT ecosystems, while recent technical updates (transition to Proof-of-Stake, scalability improvements) are strengthening investor confidence in this asset's long-term value.
Other leading altcoins have generally followed the market's overall dynamics in early December, showing moderate recovery following declines. Many of the top 10 digital assets have returned to levels where they stabilised after market consolidation. For example, Solana (SOL), after significant growth in 2025, is now holding around $140 to $150 per coin (with a market capitalisation of about $70 billion), having recouped part of its losses; the Solana ecosystem continues to evolve, attracting investors through DeFi and GameFi projects, as well as expectations for SOL ETFs. Cardano (ADA) recently became one of the leaders in growth among major currencies, rising approximately 7-8% in a day and nearing the $0.60 mark. ADA remains in the top ten thanks to its active community and ongoing technological improvements — even after the volatility experienced in autumn, the Cardano platform maintains investor trust and plans for launching new financial products based on ADA.
In general, the altcoin market is gradually stabilising. XRP, BNB, DOGE, TRX, and other large tokens are maintaining their positions in the top 10, showing slight price increases following the November slump. Notably, there has been technical progress in the sector: the Polygon blockchain team has successfully activated a major update called Madhugiri, reducing consensus time to one second and increasing Polygon's throughput by approximately 30%. This hard fork, which includes a variety of optimisations (limiting excessive gas consumption, improving calculations, and introducing a new type of transaction for interaction with Ethereum), aims to enhance the speed and stability of the network. The Polygon example demonstrates that despite price fluctuations, technological innovations in the cryptocurrency world are ongoing, creating a foundation for new value growth among promising altcoins.
Institutional Players: Banks Enter the Crypto Market
One of the key trends of 2025 has been the increasing role of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency market and the integration of traditional financial institutions. This autumn, the US saw the introduction of the first Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (Bitcoin-ETFs), providing professional investors with a convenient and regulated means of investing in digital assets. In December, US banking regulators made another step towards the crypto industry: the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) officially permitted American national banks and federal savings associations to act as intermediaries in cryptocurrency transactions. Essentially, this means that major banks will be able to directly facilitate customer transactions for buying and selling cryptocurrencies, serving as the link between buyers and sellers. This operating mechanism is based on the agency model: the bank simultaneously enters into a deal with the selling client and a mirror deal with the buying client, providing liquidity and ensuring execution, while the bank itself does not hold cryptocurrencies on its balance sheet and does not assume price risks. According to the OCC, this initiative aims to transfer part of the operations from unregulated shadow segments to a transparent channel of traditional finance. Certainly, stringent conditions are imposed on banks — from verifying the legitimacy of each transaction to possessing expertise in risk management — but the very fact of banks entering this market may significantly ease access for a broader range of investors to cryptocurrencies through familiar financial institutions.
Interest from large institutions in crypto assets remains high, despite recent volatility. Many global banks and hedge funds are expanding their range of crypto products. For instance, major management firms have launched investment trusts and funds tied to digital assets, and in 2025, several cryptocurrency companies have gone public through direct listings and SPAC transactions. Recently, the investment firm Twenty One Capital, which holds over 43,500 BTC, became the third-largest public holder of Bitcoin after listing on the exchange — a fact that highlights the growing scale of institutional participation.
At the same time, institutional analysts generally view the long-term prospects of the industry positively. According to Coinbase Institutional, the November downturn played a cleansing role for the market, "clearing" it of excessive speculative leverage and creating a base for recovery towards the end of the year. Analysts note that after the correction, the use of leverage and risky strategies significantly decreased: many short-term speculators were forced out of the market, while long-term investors took advantage of declining prices to build positions. Bitwise’s Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan stated that over the next decade, the digital asset market could grow 10-20 times. He supported this confidence with predictions from SEC Chair Paul Atkins regarding the deep integration of blockchain technologies into the traditional financial system. In other words, major players in the financial sector view cryptocurrencies not as a short-term bubble, but as a strategic asset class that will increasingly intertwine with global finance. The emergence of regulated ETFs, bank participation, and support from influential financiers signal that the institutional adaptation of the cryptocurrency market is ongoing, which may attract new billions of dollars to the market in the future.
Cryptocurrency Regulation: Global Trends
By the end of 2025, the regulatory landscape of the crypto industry is undergoing significant changes worldwide. In the US, a new wave of regulators is softening the approach to digital assets. SEC Chair Paul Atkins recently noted in a speech that the majority of token sales (ICOs) should not be automatically considered as securities offerings, and therefore fall outside the SEC's mandate. Such a comment signals a more lenient attitude from the regulator towards crypto startups: the SEC is prepared to allow blockchain projects to develop without undue pressure, provided their tokens do not exhibit characteristics of securities. Moreover, Atkins announced the launch of a temporary regulatory regime in 2026 — a kind of "sandbox" — which will allow crypto and fintech companies to test innovative products with simplified compliance requirements. The new SEC leadership clearly intends to move away from the stringent punitive approach characteristic of Gary Gensler's era towards more open and transparent regulation. At the same time, final decisions on the classification of crypto assets will largely depend on the US Congress, where discussions on the adoption of a comprehensive law, delegating regulatory powers (SEC and CFTC) over the crypto market, are ongoing.
Other American regulators are also taking steps to integrate cryptocurrencies into the financial system. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched a pilot program permitting the use of cryptocurrencies as collateral in derivative markets. In the first phase, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the stablecoin USDC are included in the list of permitted collateral assets. This innovation aims to enhance the flexibility of settlements on futures and options exchanges, allowing traders to use digital assets for margin collateral on par with fiat currency.
In Europe, the DAC8 directive will come into effect on 1 January 2026, significantly enhancing tax oversight of cryptocurrency transactions. Under the new rules, cryptocurrency exchanges and other service providers are required to provide tax authorities in EU countries with detailed data on transactions and client accounts. This measure aims to combat tax evasion and increase transparency — in effect, the European Union is implementing an international standard for the exchange of tax information adapted for cryptocurrencies. Simultaneously, the phased implementation of MiCA regulations is continuing in the EU, establishing uniform rules for the issuance of stablecoins, cryptocurrency exchanges, and custodians. Together, these initiatives are forming a more defined and predictable regulatory environment for crypto businesses in Europe, which may facilitate an influx of institutional capital into the market in the future.
In Asian jurisdictions, government attention to the crypto market is also increasing. The Hong Kong government has announced the commencement of public consultations on the implementation of international standards for tax control over crypto assets. In effect, one of the leading Asian financial centres is preparing for cryptocurrency transactions to be subject to tax reporting rules — a step that indicates the recognition of the crypto industry as part of the legitimate economy. Other countries in the region are adopting similar measures: in Japan and South Korea, updated laws regulating cryptocurrency exchanges and investor protection have been rolled out over the past year, while several Middle Eastern countries have established special economic zones for blockchain companies with unique regulatory conditions. Overall, the global trend is clear: rather than imposing a complete ban or ignoring cryptocurrencies, governments are striving to develop clear rules of the game, integrating digital assets into the existing financial-legal system. Although increased regulation raises compliance costs, in the long term, it enhances market trust and attracts major participants who value legal certainty.
Macroeconomics and Its Influence on the Crypto Market
External macroeconomic factors continue to exert a significant influence on the sentiments of crypto investors. In recent weeks, the correlation between the movements of cryptocurrency prices and traditional risk assets, primarily technology stocks, has noticeably increased. This is attributed to a significant influx of institutional money into the digital asset market, with cryptocurrencies increasingly viewed alongside other investment assets. Against the backdrop of sustained high inflation this year and a prolonged period of elevated interest rates, investors have become more cautious regarding investments in high-risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Many market participants had anticipated that by the end of 2025, the Federal Reserve and other central banks would begin a cycle of rate reductions, easing monetary policy. However, definitive signs of a decisive turnaround are not yet apparent: the Fed has maintained a stringent stance throughout the year in its battle against inflation. Doubts about a rapid reduction in rates from the Fed and the European Central Bank are dampening risk appetites — this uncertainty has also affected cryptocurrencies, suppressing their growth during autumn. Conversely, any hints at easing policies are immediately reflected in prices: for example, indications of a slowdown in inflation in the US or decisions to ease monetary conditions could stimulate the growth of the crypto market.
Market players are currently closely monitoring economic news and central bank decisions, as these are instantly transmitted into Bitcoin and altcoin prices. For instance, stronger-than-expected US labour market data released this autumn led to a strengthening of the dollar and, consequently, a temporary drop in BTC price. Conversely, positive events that reduce global risks support crypto assets: at the beginning of November, investors reacted with relief to the resolution of the budget crisis in the US (the Congress managed to avoid a government "shutdown"), and amid increased risk appetite, Bitcoin and Ethereum received a short-term boost in price. External geopolitical factors also introduce volatility: for example, sharp US statements regarding trade tariffs or sanctions against China earlier in October triggered an immediate selloff of cryptocurrencies, demonstrating how sensitive the market is to any global shocks.
Overall, uncertainty in the global economy and traditional financial markets is currently generating heightened volatility in the crypto market as well. Traders and investors are increasingly factoring in macroeconomic indicators (interest rates, inflation, the dollar exchange rate, commodity prices) when making decisions, which reflects the maturation of the sector and its gradual integration into the global financial system. If previously cryptocurrencies often operated in isolation, by 2025, their behaviour largely mirrors overall market sentiments. The future trajectory of crypto prices will depend, among other factors, on the actions of central banks: the first hints of easing borrowing costs could be the trigger many crypto investors are waiting for, hoping for a new rally.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
The rapid rise and subsequent fall in prices over the past months have been accompanied by spikes in short-term volatility in the cryptocurrency market. The sentiment index (fear and greed) for the crypto market dropped to extremely low values (around 10 points out of 100, corresponding to "extreme fear") amid panic sell-offs at the end of November. As of mid-December, the index has slightly risen but remains in the "fear" zone (around 30-40 points), reflecting a prevailing cautious attitude. This indicates that despite substantial price corrections from the peaks, investor confidence has not fully restored — the market is currently undergoing a phase of reassessment of recent events.
Nevertheless, there are signs of stabilisation in sentiment: panic selling has ceased, and the fear/greed index has moved away from its extremes, signalling a partial return of confidence. An important factor in the market's recovery has been the reduction of speculative leverage. The November correction "knocked out" excessive leveraged positions from the market: according to Coinbase Institutional, the total open interest in perpetual futures for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana has fallen by approximately 16% compared to the October peak. At the same time, US spot crypto ETFs recorded capital outflows in the range of several billion dollars over the month, and financing rates on BTC futures fell below their quarterly average. All these factors have led to the stabilisation of systemic leverage ratios at approximately 4-5% of the overall market capitalisation (compared to 10% in the summer of 2025). Simply put, there is now significantly less excessive borrowed capital in the market than before the crash, reducing the risk of new price collapses and making further growth more sustainable.
However, in the short term, volatility will remain elevated. Ahead of key events (such as the Fed's decision), traders are pricing in the potential for sharp movements, which is reflected in the wide price fluctuations day by day. For instance, in the last 24 hours, Bitcoin's price fluctuated between ~$89,500 and $94,600, while Ethereum ranged from ~$3,090 to $3,320, indicating continued nervousness. Many players still prefer to hedge their bets: derivative positions are actively hedged, and a significant portion of traders realise profits on any substantial price increases, limiting the development of momentum. However, a market cleansed of excessive optimism could gain "second wind" if new positive drivers emerge. Analysts note that the current consolidation at relatively low levels has created the space for an upward movement — if the news backdrop improves, investor sentiment could swiftly shift to a more optimistic tone, laying the groundwork for a rally.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
Below is a list of the ten largest and most significant cryptocurrencies as of the morning of 11 December 2025 (by market capitalisation), with a brief description of their current status:
- Bitcoin (BTC) — The first and largest cryptocurrency, often referred to as "digital gold." BTC is currently trading around $95,000 per coin after a recent correction (with a market capitalisation of around $1.8-1.9 trillion, approximately 60% of the total market). Limited supply of 21 million coins, growing recognition of Bitcoin by major financial firms, and its perception as a defensive asset help maintain BTC's dominant position in the market.
- Ethereum (ETH) — The second-largest digital asset by market capitalisation and the leading platform for smart contracts. ETH is priced at approximately $3,300. Ethereum serves as the backbone of DeFi, NFT ecosystems, and a multitude of decentralised applications; its market capitalisation is around $400 billion (≈13% of the market). Continuous technical upgrades (the transition of the network to Proof-of-Stake, improvements in scalability and efficiency through updates such as Shanghai/Danksharding) ensure Ethereum's strong position.
- Tether (USDT) — The largest stablecoin, pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is actively used by traders for transactions and fund storage, providing high liquidity in cryptocurrency markets. The market capitalisation of Tether is around $160 billion; the coin consistently holds a price of $1.00, functioning as a kind of "digital dollar" and intermediate currency in cryptocurrency trading.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — The native token of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the native asset of the BNB Chain blockchain. BNB is used to pay trading fees on the exchange, participate in Launchpad token sales, and execute smart contracts within the Binance ecosystem. Currently, BNB is trading around $600+ (with a market capitalisation of ~ $100 billion). Despite regulatory pressure on Binance in various countries, the BNB token remains in the top 5 due to its wide applicability and mechanisms supporting its value (such as regular coin burns).
- XRP (Ripple) — The token of the Ripple payment network, which focuses on fast cross-border payments between banks. XRP is currently around $2.1 per coin (market capitalisation ~ $110 billion). In 2025, XRP gained significantly due to Ripple's legal victory over the SEC and the launch of the first spot XRP ETF, returning the token to the ranks of market leaders. XRP is in demand for banking blockchain solutions for international transfers and remains one of the most recognisable cryptocurrencies worldwide.
- Solana (SOL) — A high-performance blockchain platform offering fast and inexpensive transactions; a competitor to Ethereum in the smart contract space. SOL is trading around $140 (market capitalisation of approximately $70 billion) following significant growth exhibited in 2025. The Solana ecosystem attracts investors with developments in DeFi and GameFi projects, as well as expectations for the launch of ETFs on SOL. The rapid operation of the network and support from major projects have helped SOL enter and maintain a position in the top ten largest crypto assets.
- Cardano (ADA) — A blockchain platform that emphasises a scientific approach to network development (the development is based on academic research and validations). ADA is currently priced around $0.60 (market value ~ $20 billion) following volatile fluctuations in autumn. Despite the pullback from peak values, Cardano remains in the top ten due to its robust community, continuous network upgrades (scalability improvements, new features), and plans for launching investment products based on ADA, sustaining interest from long-term investors.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — The most well-known meme cryptocurrency, created as a joke but has since gained massive popularity. DOGE is around $0.15 (market capitalisation ~$20-30 billion) and continues to rank among the largest coins due to community loyalty and periodic attention from celebrities. Dogecoin has historically exhibited very high volatility, yet this coin has shown remarkable resilience in investment interest over several cycles, remaining a "people's coin."
- TRON (TRX) — A blockchain platform for smart contracts, initially focused on entertainment and content. TRX is currently priced around $0.28 (market capitalisation ~ $25-30 billion). The TRON network is characterised by low fees and high throughput, making it popular for issuing and transferring stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on TRON). The platform is actively developing and supports decentralised applications (DeFi, gaming), allowing TRX to stay in the top ten global cryptocurrencies.
- USD Coin (USDC) — The second-largest stablecoin, issued by Circle and fully backed by US dollar reserves. USDC consistently trades at $1.00, with a market capitalisation of around $50 billion. The coin is widely used by institutional investors and in the DeFi sector for transactions and value storage, thanks to high transparency of reserves and regular audits. USDC competes with Tether by offering a more regulated and open stablecoin model, making it attractive for conservative market participants.
Outlook and Expectations
The key question concerning investors in December 2025 is whether the recent correction will serve as a springboard for a new crypto rally or if the market will continue to be volatile. Historically, the end of the year has often been associated with increased activity and price growth in cryptocurrencies, yet there are no guarantees of a repeat of such a scenario. Optimists point out that the main negative factors contributing to the recent downturn have already been priced in: the weakest players capitulated in November, the market has been "cleansed" of excessive optimism, and potential positive triggers lie ahead (such as the approval of new crypto ETFs or long-awaited signals for a easing of central bank policies). Moreover, several analysts from major banks remain bullish: forecasts suggest that, under favourable macroeconomic conditions, Bitcoin could return to six-figure prices ($150,000-170,000 and above) within the next year.
On the other hand, the sustained high cost of borrowing in the global economy and any new shocks (geopolitical escalation, heightened regulation, major bankruptcies in the industry) could extend the period of instability in the crypto market. Many experts agree that the concurrent fulfilment of several conditions is necessary for the return of a confident bullish trend: a decrease in inflation and interest rates, an influx of fresh capital (including institutional), and the restoration of trust in the sector after the challenges faced during the past year.
For now, the market exhibits cautious optimism: key cryptocurrencies are maintaining essential support levels, negative news is becoming less frequent, and investors are gradually returning after the shock of November. It is likely that in the coming weeks, the cryptocurrency market will continue to balance between hopes for renewed growth and fears regarding ongoing risks. Nonetheless, most observers are looking at 2026 with cautious optimism, anticipating a new wave of industry development and a gradual restoration of the upward trend as external conditions improve.
