Cryptocurrency News, Friday, July 25, 2025 — Bitcoin Hits Historical High; XRP Approaches $4

As of the morning of Friday, July 25, 2025, the cryptocurrency market continues to attract heightened attention from investors. Following a recent rapid price rally and significant regulatory changes, the market participants' sentiment remains predominantly optimistic. Bitcoin has established itself above its previous historical high, demonstrating resilience amid a persistent influx of capital, while Ethereum stays above the psychologically significant mark of $4,000. In this article, we will explore the key news and trends in the cryptocurrency market as of July 25, 2025, that are important for investors.

The Crypto Market Holds at Record Heights

The global capitalization of digital assets hovers around a record level of $4.1 trillion, remaining firm at these heights after a recent surge. The market, in general, shows a tendency to consolidate at the achieved levels: volatility remains moderate, and the Crypto Fear & Greed Index is in the "extreme greed" zone, reflecting prevailing positivity among participants. The share of Bitcoin in the total capitalization continued to decline as investors actively diversify into altcoins on the current upward wave. Institutional demand for crypto assets remains high due to the increased regulatory clarity in the industry and the ongoing influx of capital from major players. Many altcoins are continuing their upward movements alongside Bitcoin, although growth rates vary: some projects are rapidly appreciating amid positive news, while others are taking a pause waiting for new growth drivers.

Bitcoin Aiming for New Peaks

Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency, is currently trading around $126,000, having only slightly pulled back from a new historical peak (~$128,000) reached the previous night. The flagship digital asset remains the main benchmark for the entire market: the growth in its value is supported by a combination of factors. Since the beginning of the year, BTC has gained about 35% in value, driven by a strong influx of institutional investments, investors seeking safe havens amid inflation risks, and favorable macroeconomic conditions with moderate global inflation. An additional driver is the anticipation of the launch of the first Bitcoin spot ETFs in the U.S.: several Wall Street financial giants have submitted corresponding applications, enhancing hopes for further market legitimization. Recent regulatory clarity—including the passage of the first federal stablecoin law in U.S. history (GENIUS Act)—has reinforced investor confidence in Bitcoin, laying the foundations for long-term industry support from authorities. Many analysts believe that if current trends persist, Bitcoin could extend its success and soar even higher; some bold forecasts anticipate a price increase to $150,000–200,000 by the end of the year. However, such a powerful rally does not rule out short-term corrections, prompting investors to exercise caution as they assess risks and avoid excessive euphoria.

Ethereum and Altcoins Reach Multi-Year Highs

Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, continues to grow confidently in price. The ETH price remains above $4,000, reaching a new local maximum in the last few years. The positive dynamics of Ethereum are influenced by the successes of decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), as well as ongoing technical improvements in the Ethereum network. Institutional interest is also extending to ETH: record amounts of inflow into funds and ETFs focused on Ethereum are being recorded, indicating high trust in the smart contracts platform.

Among altcoins, XRP and BNB remain in the spotlight. XRP (the token of the Ripple payment network) continued to appreciate and came close to the $4 mark, reaching these levels for the first time in years following the legal victory of Ripple over the SEC, which provided the token with much-anticipated regulatory clarity. Binance Coin (BNB) rose to around $850, achieving its highest level in over a year despite the previous challenges faced by the Binance exchange. The increase in BNB's value is accompanied by the expansion of the exchange's ecosystem and services. Other major altcoins are also strengthening: Cardano (ADA) is gradually rising amid progress in developing its blockchain platform; Solana (SOL) is recovering after the downturn in 2022, attracting investors with its high transaction speeds; the popular meme cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE) is gaining traction amid rumors of DOGE integration into major payment services. Stablecoins continue to play a significant role as a "safe haven" in the market: the largest of them—Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC)—steadily maintain their 1:1 peg to the dollar and are widely used by market participants for capital preservation during heightened volatility.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

Despite the existence of thousands of digital currencies, the lion's share of investor attention is concentrated on a few major assets. Below is the current list of the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization as of today:

1. Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency, often referred to as "digital gold"; the main indicator of the entire crypto market, recently established a new historical high in value.
2. Ethereum (ETH) — the second-largest cryptocurrency and the leading platform for smart contracts; the foundation of DeFi and NFT ecosystems, continues to strengthen its position in the market, recently surpassing the $4,000 mark.
3. XRP (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment network for fast international transfers; its value soared due to regulatory clarity achieved after Ripple's court victory over the SEC, resulting in XRP hitting multi-year highs.
4. Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio; widely used by traders as a "safe haven" for capital preservation during market volatility.
5. Binance Coin (BNB) — the internal token of the leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance and its own blockchain; used for fee payments and participation in ecosystem projects, its price has risen as the platform has expanded and regained trust in the exchange.
6. USD Coin (USDC) — a popular dollar-based stablecoin from Circle and Coinbase; characterized by transparent reserves and support from regulatory authorities, which enhances trust among users and regulators.
7. Cardano (ADA) — a cryptocurrency and blockchain platform developed on a scientific basis; ADA consistently ranks among the top ten, attracting developers of decentralized applications and long-term investors amid consistent technical progress.
8. Dogecoin (DOGE) — a well-known "meme" cryptocurrency originally created as a joke; thanks to its active community and media attention, it remains a sought-after digital asset and often ranks among market leaders.
9. Solana (SOL) — a high-speed blockchain for scalable decentralized applications; SOL remains in the top ten, bolstered by technical innovations and increased investor confidence.
10. TRON (TRX) — a platform for smart contracts and multimedia dApps, especially popular in Asia; the TRX token remains among market leaders largely due to its active use in stablecoin transactions and support from the Asian crypto community.

Cryptocurrency Regulation: Global Initiatives

Following the historic move in the U.S. with the passage of the first federal law on stablecoins (GENIUS Act), recently signed by President Donald Trump, regulators around the world are ramping up efforts regarding cryptocurrencies. Following the U.S., comprehensive rules are also coming into force in Europe: the European Union's MiCA framework has been implemented to establish standardized requirements for crypto assets, their issuers, service providers, and stablecoins across all EU countries. This approach makes regulation more transparent and predictable, stimulating the influx of new companies and investments into the industry within clear frameworks.

• United States: The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a package of key bills on cryptocurrency regulation, continuing the course towards forming comprehensive rules for the industry. Together with the stablecoin law, these initiatives form a legal framework intended to enhance market transparency and investor trust. Furthermore, case law in the U.S. is also establishing precedents: a recent appellate court decision confirmed that NFTs can be regarded as commodities under trademark law, strengthening the legal protection for digital collectible tokens.
• Europe: The MiCA regulatory framework has been enacted in the EU, standardizing requirements for cryptocurrency market participants and stablecoins. The European approach provides uniform regulatory standards, attracting businesses to EU markets due to clear and transparent operational conditions.
• Asia: Asian countries are striving to strengthen their jurisdictions' status as crypto-friendly hubs. Hong Kong has introduced a mandatory licensing regime for cryptocurrency exchanges and is already issuing the first licenses for retail trading of digital assets; moreover, a comprehensive stablecoin law has been enacted (coming into effect in August 2025), attracting new market participants to Hong Kong. Singapore maintains a strict yet clear regulatory framework: a combination of stringent requirements with support for the blockchain industry and government initiatives is stimulating the influx of crypto startups. Meanwhile, mainland China, while maintaining a ban on crypto trading, is focusing on developing its own blockchain solutions and expanding the use of its state digital currency (digital yuan).
• Middle East: Several countries in the Middle East are actively promoting cryptocurrency initiatives. The United Arab Emirates is creating favorable conditions for the industry: Dubai has a dedicated regulator (VARA) and a licensing system for crypto businesses, attracting large blockchain companies to the region. Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region are investing in blockchain projects and infrastructure, striving to keep up in the new technological race.
• Russia and CIS: In Russia, a ban on the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment (in place since 2021) remains, with authorities planning to introduce heavy fines for transactions in digital currencies starting in 2026 (for individuals—100,000 rubles; for companies—700,000 rubles). Concurrently, the Russian regulator is promoting the implementation of the digital ruble (CBDC) and is discussing the limited use of private cryptocurrencies for foreign trade settlements, reflecting a cautious yet progressive approach to the industry. In other CIS countries, a balance is also observed: authorities are keen to develop blockchain technologies while controlling the circulation of private crypto assets and minimizing risks to the financial system.

Institutional and Corporate Investors in the Market

Major institutional players are continuing to increase their presence in the crypto industry. Banks and investment firms are launching new products and pilot projects related to digital assets, providing their clients with access to cryptocurrencies. In 2025, several Wall Street financial giants applied in the U.S. to launch spot Bitcoin ETFs, hoping to satisfy growing investor demand and enhance market legitimacy. Existing cryptocurrency funds are witnessing record capital inflows—significant amounts are being invested in both Bitcoin funds and funds focused on Ethereum and other top assets. Traditional exchanges and banks are also exploring opportunities to work with cryptocurrencies: for instance, Visa and Bank of America are testing the use of stablecoins for cross-border payments, showcasing the integration of blockchain technologies into traditional finance.

Large corporations are not lagging behind: several publicly traded companies—from tech giants to retailers—are including Bitcoin on their balance sheets or starting to accept cryptocurrency for payment of goods and services. Such steps reflect the transformation of digital currencies from an experiment into a full-fledged financial instrument. The largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), continues to accumulate: its reserves recently exceeded 607,770 BTC (about $77 billion at current prices), reinforcing Bitcoin's status as a strategic asset for businesses. Notably, the positions of crypto-oriented companies on traditional capital markets are strengthening: Jack Dorsey's Block recently entered the S&P 500 index (replacing the merged Hess Corp with Chevron). Since the announcement of its entry into the S&P 500, Block's shares have risen by nearly 14%, and the company's market value has surpassed $50 billion. The presence of such companies in key stock indices provides investors with another tool for indirect participation in the growth of the crypto market through index funds. Overall, the influx of "long money" from institutions and corporations enhances the stability of the crypto market and gradually diminishes the influence of short-term speculation, making the market more mature and stable.

Forecasts and Risks

Overall sentiment in the cryptocurrency market remains largely optimistic; however, experts urge investors to take a measured approach. Several analysts give bold forecasts for further growth of leading crypto assets—up to $200,000 for BTC and $5,000–7,000 for ETH in the long term—citing limited Bitcoin supply, expanding use of blockchain technologies across various sectors, and the emergence of clear regulatory rules. At the same time, risks persist. The cryptocurrency market continues to be characterized by high volatility: after periods of rapid growth, sharp price declines are not uncommon. The regulatory environment, albeit improving in key countries, is far from uniform—strict restrictions are in place in several states or new bans are being discussed, which may hinder industry development. Furthermore, instances of cybercrime have increased: several major hacking attacks and fraudulent schemes occurred in 2025, underscoring the need for increased attention to security and investment protection. Echoes of past crises are also evident: the bankrupt FTX exchange in 2025 began another stage of payouts to creditors (approximately $1.9 billion released for new payment tranches), which partially restores trust following its collapse, yet the situation surrounding FTX serves as a reminder of the potential scale of losses.

In these conditions, experts recommend adhering to principles of reasonable asset diversification and focusing on a long-term horizon—this strategy allows investors to capitalize on market growth while minimizing the impact of short-term upheavals. Overall, the crypto industry is entering a new phase of maturity. Historical regulatory reforms and record price achievements indicate an increasingly deep integration of digital assets into the global financial system. The ongoing influx of capital and regular updates in Bitcoin and Ethereum's highs strengthen investor belief in the market's long-term prospects. At the same time, the rapid development of the industry requires a thoughtful and responsible approach. New legislative frameworks open up wide opportunities for innovation, but it is essential for market participants to adhere to established regulations and financial discipline. In the coming months, the community's attention will be focused on the next moves of lawmakers in the U.S., Europe, and other regions, as well as whether Bitcoin can sustain its new heights after its historical leap. Moderate caution, thoughtful diversification, and a long-term perspective will help investors confidently navigate the dynamic cryptocurrency market—capitalizing on its growth while simultaneously reducing risks.

Analysis:

The market shows signs of overheating amid recent price records: Bitcoin is trading significantly above $125,000, while Ethereum confidently holds above $4,000. The "greed" index has risen to 80, reflecting euphoria among some investors. Bitcoin's share of capitalization continues to decline, indicating increased interest in altcoins and the strengthening of a new "alt season." The leader in growth over the past day has been the Stellar token, benefiting from the overall optimism in the payments crypto sector, while the ApeCoin token has fallen amid waning interest in NFT assets. Overall, despite heightened optimism and local market overheating, fundamental factors—institutional interest, regulatory implementation, and technological development—continue to provide structural resilience to the crypto market.