Cryptocurrency News, Saturday, July 26, 2025 — Bitcoin Holds Near All-Time High; Ethereum and XRP on Multi-Year Peaks

The cryptocurrency market remains highly active and under the watchful eye of investors as of the morning of Saturday, July 26, 2025. Following a recent rapid price rally and significant regulatory developments, participants show a predominantly optimistic sentiment, albeit with some caution ahead of upcoming global economic events. Bitcoin continues to hover near its new all-time high, demonstrating resilience amidst a sustained influx of capital, while Ethereum trades near the psychologically significant $4,000 mark. In this article, we will explore key news and trends in the cryptocurrency market on July 26, 2025, which are crucial for investors.

Cryptocurrency Market Consolidates at Record Highs

The total market capitalization of digital assets hovers around the record $4 trillion mark, maintaining the heights achieved after a recent surge. The market is generally exhibiting a consolidation trend: volatility remains moderate, and the Crypto Fear & Greed Index is still in the “greed” zone, reflecting the prevailing positivity among players. Bitcoin's market share has slightly decreased compared to the beginning of the month, as investors actively diversify into altcoins on the wave of the current uptick. Institutional demand for crypto assets remains strong, bolstered by increased regulatory clarity in the sector and a continuing influx of capital from major players. Many altcoins are also following Bitcoin’s upward trajectory, although the growth rates vary: some projects are rapidly appreciating amid positive news, while others are pausing to await new growth drivers. Meanwhile, the approaching Federal Reserve meeting and the release of a crucial White House report on cryptocurrency policy (scheduled for July 30) is prompting some market participants to act more cautiously, somewhat tempering excessive euphoria.

Bitcoin Maintains Record Positions

Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency, is currently trading around $120,000, having slightly retraced from its historical peak (around $128,000) reached earlier this week. The flagship digital asset remains a key benchmark for the entire market, with its price growth supported by a combination of factors. Since the beginning of the year, the BTC price has increased by more than 30%, driven by a strong influx of institutional investments, investors seeking "safe" assets amidst inflation risks, as well as favorable macroeconomic conditions marked by moderate global inflation. An additional driver comes from the anticipation of the launch of the first spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S., where several Wall Street financial giants have submitted corresponding applications, enhancing hopes for further legitimization of the crypto market. Recent regulatory clarity — including the enactment of the first federal law on stablecoins in the U.S. (the GENIUS Act) — has strengthened investor confidence in Bitcoin, laying the groundwork for long-term industry support from authorities. Many analysts are convinced that if the current trends continue, BTC can build on this success and rise even higher: some bold predictions foresee the price climbing 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 in evaluating risks and avoiding undue euphoria amidst record levels.

Ethereum and Altcoins at Multi-Year Highs

Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, recently achieved summer peaks in price and is now hovering around the $4,000 threshold. This level has been surpassed for the first time in a long while, reflecting a solid rise in ETH. The performance of Ethereum is positively influenced by the success of decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystems, coupled with ongoing technical improvements in the Ethereum network. Institutional interest in ETH is also on the rise: record inflows into funds and ETFs focused on ether have been noted, indicating robust trust in the smart contract platform.

Among major altcoins, XRP and BNB remain in the spotlight. XRP (the token of the Ripple payment network) surged sharply in price on the back of Ripple's legal victory over the SEC, coming close to the $4 mark for the first time in years. While XRP is consolidating below this psychological barrier, it still trades within the zone of multi-year highs thanks to the regulatory clarity obtained. Binance Coin (BNB) surpassed $800 this week, reaching its highest values in over a year, despite previous difficulties faced by the Binance exchange. The price recovery of BNB is supported by the expansion of the exchange's ecosystem and services, as well as a gradual restoration of trust in the platform following past regulatory risks. Other major altcoins are also generally strengthening their positions: Cardano (ADA) is showing gradual growth driven by advancements in its blockchain platform; Solana (SOL) is confidently recovering after the 2022 downturn, attracting investors with high transaction speeds and scalability; the popular meme cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE) is on the rise due to rumors of its integration into major payment services. Stablecoins continue to play a significant role as a "safe haven" in the market: the largest among them, Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), consistently maintain their peg to the dollar at 1:1 and are widely utilized by participants for preserving capital during periods of heightened volatility.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

Despite the existence of thousands of digital currencies, the lion's share of investor attention is focused on several of the largest 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." It is the main indicator of the entire crypto market and has recently reached a new historical price peak.
2. Ethereum (ETH) — the second-largest crypto asset and leading smart contract platform. ETH underpins the DeFi and NFT ecosystems and continues to strengthen its market position, having recently surpassed the psychologically significant level of $4,000.
3. XRP (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment network for fast international transfers. Its price has notably increased due to the regulatory clarity obtained after Ripple's legal victory over the SEC, resulting in XRP reaching multi-year price highs.
4. Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is widely used by traders as a "safe haven" for preserving capital during market volatility.
5. Binance Coin (BNB) — the native token of the leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance and its blockchain. It is used for fee payments and participation in ecosystem projects; the price of BNB has risen alongside the platform's expansion and the restoration of trust in the exchange.
6. USD Coin (USDC) — a popular dollar-backed stablecoin from Circle and Coinbase. It is characterized by transparency in reserves and regulatory backing, which enhances trust from users and regulators alike.
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 due to steady technical progress.
8. Dogecoin (DOGE) — a well-known "meme" cryptocurrency originally created as a joke. Thanks to an active community and media attention, DOGE remains a sought-after digital asset and regularly ranks among market leaders.
9. Solana (SOL) — a high-speed blockchain for scalable decentralized applications. SOL retains a spot in the top ten, bolstered by technical innovations and increased investor confidence in its ecosystem.
10. TRON (TRX) — a platform for smart contracts and multimedia dApps, particularly 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 a historic step 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 have intensified their efforts in the cryptocurrency sphere. Following the U.S., comprehensive rules are also coming into effect in Europe: the European Union has launched a unified set of regulations MiCA, establishing standardized requirements for crypto assets, issuers, service providers, and stablecoins across all EU countries. This move makes regulation more transparent and predictable, stimulating the influx of new companies and investments into the sector under clear rules.

• U.S.: The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a package of key bills regulating cryptocurrencies, continuing its course towards forming comprehensive rules for the industry. Combined with the stablecoin law, these initiatives form a legislative framework aimed at enhancing market transparency and investor trust. Additionally, judicial practice is evolving: a recent appellate court ruling in the U.S. confirmed that NFTs can be considered goods under trademark law, strengthening the legal protection of digital collectible tokens.
• Europe: The EU has implemented a comprehensive set of MiCA rules, unifying requirements for participants in the crypto market and stablecoins. The European approach provides uniform regulatory standards, attracting businesses to the EU markets through clear and transparent operating conditions.
• Asia: Asian countries are striving to strengthen the status of their jurisdictions as crypto-friendly hubs. For instance, Hong Kong has introduced a mandatory licensing regime for cryptocurrency exchanges and is already issuing the first licenses for retail trading of digital assets. A comprehensive stablecoin law has also been passed (effective August 2025), drawing new market participants to Hong Kong. Singapore maintains a strict yet clear regulatory framework: a combination of stringent requirements and government support for the blockchain industry stimulates the influx of crypto startups. At the same time, mainland China, while retaining a ban on crypto trading, is focusing on developing its own blockchain solutions and expanding the use of its digital currency (the digital yuan).
• Middle East: A number of Middle Eastern countries actively promote cryptocurrency initiatives. The United Arab Emirates have created favorable conditions for the industry: Dubai has a specialized regulator (VARA) and a cryptocurrency business licensing system, attracting major blockchain companies to the region. Saudi Arabia and other states in the region are investing in blockchain projects and infrastructure, eager to keep pace in the new technological race.
• Russia and CIS: In Russia, a ban on the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment is still in effect (in place since 2021), and authorities plan to introduce significant fines for transactions in digital currencies starting in 2026 (for individuals — starting from 100,000 rubles; for companies — starting from 700,000 rubles). At the same time, the Russian regulator is promoting the implementation of a digital ruble (CBDC) and discussing limited use of private cryptocurrencies in foreign trade transactions, reflecting a cautious but step-by-step approach towards the industry. Other CIS countries also demonstrate a balance: authorities are keen to develop blockchain technologies while simultaneously controlling the circulation of private crypto assets and minimizing risks to the financial system.

Institutional and Corporate Investors in the Market

Major institutional players continue to expand their presence in the crypto industry. Banks and investment companies are launching new products and pilot projects related to digital assets to provide clients with access to cryptocurrencies. In 2025, several financial giants from Wall Street have applied in the U.S. to launch spot Bitcoin ETFs, aiming to meet growing investor demand and increase market legitimacy. Existing cryptocurrency funds are recording record inflows — significant amounts are being invested in both Bitcoin-based funds and those focused on ether and other top assets. Traditional exchanges and banks are also exploring opportunities to work with cryptocurrencies: for example, Visa and Bank of America are testing the use of stablecoins for cross-border payments, demonstrating the integration of blockchain technology 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 as payment for goods and services. These steps reflect the transformation of digital currencies from an experiment into a fully-fledged financial instrument. The largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, MicroStrategy (now known as Strategy), continues its accumulation strategy: its reserves recently surpassed 600,000 BTC (over $75 billion at current prices), reinforcing Bitcoin's status as a strategic asset for businesses. It is also noteworthy that the positions of crypto-oriented companies are being strengthened in traditional capital markets: for example, Block (a fintech giant led by Jack Dorsey) was included in the S&P 500 index, replacing another corporation after a series of mergers. Since the announcement of its inclusion in the S&P 500, Block's shares have risen by approximately 14%, and the company's market capitalization has exceeded $50 billion. The presence of such firms in key stock market indices provides investors with another avenue for indirect participation in the growth of the crypto market through familiar equity mechanisms. Overall, the influx of "long money" from institutions and corporations enhances the resilience of the cryptocurrency market and gradually reduces the influence of short-term speculation, creating a more mature and stable environment.

Forecasts and Risks

Currently, the overall sentiment in the cryptocurrency market remains largely optimistic. However, experts urge investors to adopt a balanced approach. A number of analysts are making bold predictions for further growth of leading crypto assets — even to levels around $200,000 for BTC and $5,000–7,000 for ETH in the long term — citing limited Bitcoin supply, expanding use of blockchain technology across various sectors, and the emergence of clearer regulatory frameworks. At the same time, significant risks persist. The cryptocurrency market still exhibits high volatility: sharp price pullbacks often follow periods of frenzied growth. The regulatory environment, although improving in key countries, is far from uniform—several nations maintain strict restrictions or discuss new prohibitions, which could stifle the industry's development. Moreover, instances of cybercrime have increased: in 2025, several major hacking attacks and fraudulent schemes occurred, underscoring the need for heightened attention to security and investment protection. Reminders of potential losses also echo from previous crises: the bankrupt exchange FTX, which collapsed in 2022, has begun another phase of repayment to creditors in 2025 (releasing about $1.9 billion for new payment tranches). The partial return of funds after the FTX collapse somewhat restores trust in the industry; however, this very situation serves as a reminder to investors of the risks and vulnerabilities present in the market.

Recommendations for Investors

In light of the outlined uncertainty, experts advise market participants to maintain a balance between seizing emerging opportunities and managing risks. For sustainable portfolio development and minimizing the impact of potential upheavals, it is recommended to adhere to the following principles:

• Prudent Asset Diversification: Allocating investments across various cryptocurrencies and other asset classes helps to mitigate risks associated with sharp fluctuations in individual positions.
• Focus on Long-Term Investments: Choosing an investment horizon in months and years, rather than days, allows one to benefit from the fundamental growth of the sector without succumbing to the emotions of short-term fluctuations.
• Measured Risk Assessment: It is essential to avoid excessive euphoria at market peaks, make investment decisions based on analysis rather than hype, and be prepared for potential corrections.

The crypto industry is entering a new phase of maturity. Historic regulatory reforms and record price achievements of Bitcoin and Ethereum signify a deeper integration of digital assets into the global financial system. The ongoing influx of capital and regular new price highs in the market bolster investor confidence in long-term prospects. Simultaneously, the rapid development of the sector requires a responsible approach from all participants. New legislative frameworks open wide opportunities for innovation, but it is crucial to adhere to established rules and financial discipline for successful operation in this market. In the coming months, the community will be paying close attention to the further steps taken by regulators in the U.S., Europe, and other regions, as well as whether Bitcoin can maintain its achieved heights following its historical leap. Moderate caution, thoughtful diversification strategies, and a long-term perspective will help investors confidently navigate the dynamic cryptocurrency market—benefitting from its growth while simultaneously reducing risks.