Current Cryptocurrency News for Thursday, December 11, 2025: Bitcoin Consolidating Ahead of Fed Decision, Ethereum Outpacing Market Growth, Rally Hopes Persisting Toward Year-End, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of December 11, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is showing relative stability after recovering from November's downturn. One of the worst Novembers in recent years has given way to cautious upswing in early December: Bitcoin has bounced off local lows and is consolidating, while key altcoins are showing moderate growth, having stabilized after recent volatility. The total market capitalization of the cryptocurrency market is holding around $3.2 trillion, with Bitcoin's dominance at approximately 60%. The "Fear and Greed" index for cryptocurrencies remains in the "fear" zone, reflecting investors' cautious sentiment. Market participants are weighing whether the current consolidation will lead to a pre-holiday rally or if volatility will continue.
Bitcoin: Consolidation Ahead of Fed Decision
In early autumn, Bitcoin (BTC) reached a new all-time high of around $126,000 on October 6, followed by a sharp correction. A wave of profit-taking and a cascade of margin position liquidations in October and November drove the price down to approximately $85,000 by the end of November (the lowest in recent months). However, in December, the leading cryptocurrency is showing signs of recovery: the price has returned to levels above $90,000 and in recent days is trading within the range of approximately $90,000 to $95,000, consolidating after the bounce. The current value of BTC is nearly 10% above the November lows, with Bitcoin's market capitalization estimated at around $1.8 trillion, which represents about 59%–60% of the total crypto market cap.
Investors are cautiously awaiting the outcomes of the Federal Reserve's December meeting, which could significantly impact Bitcoin's dynamics. It is anticipated that the Fed's decisions regarding interest rates (a signal for a potential cut for the first time in several years is expected) may act as a catalyst for the cryptocurrency market: easing monetary policy would enhance liquidity and risk appetite, thereby supporting BTC's price. Analysts at London Crypto Club note that in the near term, liquidity infusion through Fed policy easing could provide upward momentum for the leading cryptocurrency.
Meanwhile, traders are preparing for heightened volatility. QCP Capital believes that in the coming weeks, Bitcoin will trade in a range of approximately $84,000 to $100,000, reacting to macroeconomic news. Some experts express skepticism regarding the so-called "Santa Claus rally": Bloomberg strategist Mike McGlone warns that a year-end spike may not happen and forecasts that BTC will trade below $84,000 by the end of the year.
Major financial institutions have revised their short-term forecasts for Bitcoin following the recent downturn. For instance, Standard Chartered has lowered its target price for BTC by the end of 2025 from the previous $200,000 to $100,000, citing the November correction. Nevertheless, the long-term bullish outlook remains: Standard Chartered still expects Bitcoin to reach $500,000, albeit in a distant horizon (by 2030 instead of the previously projected 2028). Overall, despite recent fluctuations, Bitcoin maintains its status as "digital gold," attracting interest from both retail and institutional investors who view it as a means of value preservation amid global economic uncertainty.
Ethereum and Major Altcoins
Following Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH) also underwent a correction in the second half of autumn. In early November, the second-largest cryptocurrency hit a multi-year high (with ETH exceeding $5,000 at the rally's peak), but then dropped alongside the market. Currently, Ethereum is trading around $3,300, recovering from November's lows (which had dipped below $2,800). Over the past week, ETH has outperformed Bitcoin, demonstrating double-digit growth (over +10%), while BTC added around 4%. ETH's market capitalization is approximately $400 billion (about 13% of the overall market). Ethereum remains the foundational platform for decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFT ecosystems, and recent technical upgrades (transitioning to the Proof-of-Stake algorithm, scalability improvements) bolster investor confidence in the long-term value of this asset.
Other leading altcoins are generally following the overall market dynamics in early December, showing moderate recovery after declines. Many of the top 10 digital assets have returned to levels where they stabilized after the market consolidation. For example, Solana (SOL), after a significant rise in 2025, is currently holding around $140–150 per coin (capitalization around $70 billion), having recaptured some of the losses; the Solana ecosystem continues to develop, attracting investors with projects in the DeFi and GameFi sectors, as well as expectations for SOL ETF launches. The cryptocurrency Cardano (ADA) recently emerged as a leader among the majors, rising approximately 7–8% within a day and approaching the $0.60 mark. ADA remains in the top rankings thanks to its active community and continuous technological improvements — even after the volatile autumn, the Cardano platform still retains investor trust and plans to launch new financial products based on ADA.
Overall, the altcoin market is gradually stabilizing. XRP, BNB, DOGE, TRX, and other large tokens are holding positions in the top 10, showing minor price increases following the November slump. It is noteworthy to highlight the technological progress in the industry: for instance, the Polygon blockchain team successfully activated a significant network upgrade called Madhugiri, reducing consensus time to 1 second and increasing Polygon’s throughput by approximately 30%. This hard fork, which includes several optimizations (limiting excessive gas consumption, improving calculations, and introducing a new type of transaction for Ethereum interaction), aims to increase the speed and stability of network operations. Polygon's example demonstrates that, despite price fluctuations, technological innovations in the cryptocurrency world continue to advance, creating a foundation for future growth in promising altcoins' values.
Institutional Players: Banks Enter the Crypto Market
One of the key trends in 2025 has been the strengthening role of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency market and the integration of traditional financial institutions. This autumn, the first Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (Bitcoin ETFs) appeared in the United States, providing professional investors with a convenient and regulated way to invest in digital assets. In December, the U.S. banking regulator made yet another move towards the crypto industry: the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) officially permitted U.S. 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 their clients' buying and selling of cryptocurrencies, serving as a link between buyers and sellers. This operational mechanism is built on an agency model: the bank simultaneously enters into a transaction with a selling client and a mirror transaction with a buying client, providing liquidity and guaranteeing execution, while the bank itself does not hold cryptocurrencies on its balance sheet and does not bear price risks. The OCC believes this initiative aims to transition part of the operations from unregulated shadow segments to a transparent structure within traditional finance. Undoubtedly, stringent conditions are placed on banks — from verifying the legality of each transaction to possessing risk management expertise — but the mere fact of banks entering this market could significantly ease access for a broader range of investors to cryptocurrencies through familiar financial institutions.
Interest among major institutions in crypto assets remains high, even amid recent volatility. Many global banks and hedge funds are expanding their range of crypto products. For instance, large asset management firms have launched investment trusts and funds linked to digital assets, and in 2025 several cryptocurrency companies have gone public through direct listings and SPAC deals. Recently, the investment firm Twenty One Capital, which owns over 43,500 BTC, became the third-largest public holder of Bitcoin after listing on the exchange — a fact that underscores the growing scale of institutional participation.
Meanwhile, institutional analysts generally have a positive outlook on the long-term prospects of the industry. According to Coinbase Institutional, the November downturn played a healthy role in the market by "clearing" it of excessive speculative leverage and creating a base for recovery by year-end. Analysts note that after the correction, the use of leverage and risky strategies fell significantly: many short-term speculators were forced out of the market, while long-term investors capitalized on the price decline to build up positions. Bitwise's Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan stated that over the next decade, the digital asset market could grow 10–20 times. He supports this confidence with a forecast from SEC Chair Paul Atkins regarding the deep integration of blockchain technologies into the traditional financial system. In other words, the largest players in the finance sector see 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, participation from banks, and support from influential financiers signal that institutional adaptation to the crypto market continues, which could, in the future, attract new billions of dollars to the market.
Cryptocurrency Regulation: Global Trends
By the end of 2025, the regulatory landscape in the crypto industry is changing significantly worldwide. In the United States, a new wave of regulators is softening its approach to digital assets. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins recently remarked that most token sales (ICOs) should not automatically be classified as securities offerings, and thus fall outside the SEC's mandate. This comment signals a more lenient stance towards crypto startups: the SEC is willing to allow blockchain projects to develop without excessive pressure if their tokens do not exhibit characteristics of securities. Moreover, Atkins announced the launch in 2026 of a provisional regulatory regime — a sort of "sandbox" — which will allow crypto and fintech companies to test innovative products with streamlined compliance requirements. The new SEC leadership clearly intends to shift away from the strict punitive line characteristic of Gary Gensler's era in favor of more open and transparent regulation. At the same time, final decisions regarding the classification of crypto assets will largely depend on the U.S. Congress, where discussions are ongoing about passing comprehensive legislation that distributes authority among regulatory agencies (SEC and CFTC) over the crypto market.
Other U.S. regulators are also taking steps to integrate cryptocurrencies into the financial system. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched a pilot program allowing cryptocurrencies to be used as collateral in derivatives markets. In the первой stage, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the stablecoin USDC have been included in the list of permissible collateral assets. This innovation aims to enhance the flexibility of settlements on futures and options exchanges, allowing traders to utilize digital assets for margin collateral alongside fiat money.
In Europe, as of January 1, 2026, a directive known as DAC8 will come into effect, significantly strengthening tax oversight over operations with crypto assets. Under the new rules, cryptocurrency exchanges and other service providers will be required to provide tax authorities in EU countries with detailed information about transactions and customer accounts. This measure aims to combat tax evasion and enhance transparency — essentially, the European Union is implementing an international standard for exchanging tax information adapted for cryptocurrencies. Simultaneously, the EU continues the phased implementation of the MiCA regulation, creating unified rules for stablecoin issuance, cryptocurrency exchange operations, and custodians. Together, these initiatives are shaping a more defined and predictable regulatory environment for the crypto business in Europe, which could in the future facilitate the influx of institutional capital into the market.
In Asian jurisdictions, government attention to the crypto market is also increasing. The Hong Kong government has announced the start of public consultations regarding the implementation of international standards for tax control over crypto assets. Essentially, one of the leading Asian financial centers is preparing for cryptocurrency transactions to be subject to tax reporting rules — a step indicative of the recognition of the crypto industry as part of the legitimate economy. In other countries in the region, similar measures are being adopted: in Japan and South Korea, laws regulating cryptocurrency exchanges and investor protection were updated over the year, while several Middle Eastern countries have created special economic zones for blockchain companies with specific regulatory conditions. Overall, a global trend is evident: instead of a complete ban or ignoring cryptocurrencies, governments are striving to develop clear rules of the game, integrating digital assets into the existing financial and legal system. While tighter regulation increases compliance costs, in the long run, it enhances market trust and attracts major players who value legal certainty.
Macroeconomics and Impact on the Crypto Market
External macroeconomic factors continue to significantly influence the sentiment of crypto investors. In recent weeks, there has been a notable increase in the correlation of cryptocurrency price movements with traditional risk assets, primarily tech stocks. This is attributed to the influx of institutional money into the digital asset space, with cryptocurrencies increasingly regarded alongside other investment assets. Amid this year’s continued high inflation and a prolonged period of elevated interest rates, investors have become more cautious about investing in high-risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Many market participants were anticipating that by the end of 2025, the Federal Reserve and other central banks would begin a cycle of interest rate cuts, easing monetary policy. However, signs of a decisive pivot remain unclear: the Fed has maintained a strict course throughout the year in its battle against inflation. Doubts about imminent interest rate reductions from the Fed and the European Central Bank dampen risk appetite — this uncertainty has also affected cryptocurrencies, restraining their growth in the autumn. However, any hints at policy easing immediately reflect on prices: for instance, signs of slowing inflation in the U.S. or decisions to ease monetary conditions could spur a rally in the crypto market.
Market players are closely monitoring economic news and central bank decisions, as these are instantaneously reflected in Bitcoin and altcoin prices. For example, stronger-than-expected labor market data in the U.S. this fall led to dollar strengthening and, consequently, a temporary drop in BTC’s price. Conversely, positive events that reduce global risks support crypto assets: at the beginning of November, investors welcomed progress in resolving the budget crisis in the U.S. (Congress managed to avert a government "shutdown"), leading to a brief surge in Bitcoin and Ethereum amid a growing risk appetite. External geopolitical factors also contribute to volatility: for example, sharp statements by the U.S. on trade tariffs or sanctions against China earlier in October triggered immediate sell-offs in cryptocurrencies, showing how sensitive the market is to any global shocks.
In general, uncertainty in the global economy and traditional financial markets is currently creating heightened fluctuations within the crypto market. Traders and investors must increasingly take macroeconomic indicators (interest rates, inflation, dollar exchange rates, commodity prices) into account when making decisions, signaling the industry's maturation and its gradual integration into the global financial system. If cryptocurrencies previously operated independently, in 2025 their behavior largely reflects overall market sentiment. The future trajectory of crypto prices will depend, among other factors, on the actions of central banks: initial hints at a reduction in 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 recent months has 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 levels (around 10 points out of 100, which corresponds to "extreme fear") at the end of November amid panic sell-offs. As of mid-December, the indicator has risen slightly but remains in the "fear" territory (around 30–40 points), reflecting prevailing caution. This means that despite a significant price retracement from peaks, investor confidence has not fully recovered — the market is undergoing a phase of reflection.
However, there are signs of sentiment stabilization: panic selling has ceased, and the fear/greed index has moved away from extreme lows, signaling a partial return of trust. A crucial factor in the market's recovery has been the reduction of speculative leverage. The November correction "knocked out" excessive leveraged positions, as indicated by Coinbase Institutional, where the total open interest in perpetual Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana futures fell about 16% from October highs. Simultaneously, American spot crypto ETFs recorded capital outflows of several billions of dollars over the month, while funding rates for BTC futures dropped below their quarterly average. All these factors have led to stabilizing the systemic leverage ratio at about 4%–5% of the total market capitalization (compared to 10% in the summer of 2025). In simple terms, there is now much less excessive borrowed capital in the market than before the crash, reducing the risk of more price collapses and making further growth more sustainable.
Nonetheless, short-term volatility is expected to remain high. Ahead of significant events (such as the Fed's decision), traders are pricing in the potential for sharp movements, reflected in daily price swings. Over the last 24 hours, Bitcoin’s price varied from approximately $89,500 to $94,600, while Ethereum moved between approximately $3,090 to $3,320, indicating continued nervousness. Many players still prefer to hedge their positions; derivative positions are being actively hedged, and a significant portion of traders are locking in profits on any substantial price increases, which restricts momentum development. However, a market cleansed of excessive optimism may find its "second wind" should new positive drivers arise. Analysts note that the current consolidation at relatively low levels has created space for upward movement — with an improved news backdrop, investor sentiment could quickly shift to a more optimistic outlook, 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 December 11, 2025 (by market capitalization), along 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 following a recent correction (market capitalization around $1.8–1.9 trillion, approximately 60% of the entire market). The limited supply of 21 million coins, growing recognition of Bitcoin among major financial firms, and its perception as a safe-haven asset help maintain BTC's dominant position in the market.
- Ethereum (ETH) — the second-largest digital asset by market capitalization and leading platform for smart contracts. The price of ETH is approximately $3,300. Ethereum serves as the foundation for DeFi, NFT ecosystems, and a multitude of decentralized applications; its market capitalization is around $400 billion (≈13% of the market). Ongoing technical upgrades (network transition to Proof-of-Stake, improvements in scalability and efficiency from updates like Shanghai/Danksharding) and extensive application in the blockchain industry solidify Ethereum's strong position.
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is actively used by traders for transactions and fund storage, ensuring high liquidity in the cryptocurrency markets. Tether's market capitalization is around $160 billion; the coin consistently holds a price of $1.00, acting as a digital dollar and an intermediary currency in crypto asset trading.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the native token of the 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 in the Binance ecosystem. Currently, BNB is trading around $600+ (market capitalization ~ $100 billion). Despite regulatory pressure on Binance in various countries, the BNB token remains in the top 5 due to its wide application and price support mechanisms (such as regular coin burns).
- XRP (Ripple) — the token of the Ripple payment network focused on fast cross-border settlements between banks. XRP is at levels around $2.1 per coin (capitalization ~ $110 billion). In 2025, XRP strengthened significantly due to Ripple’s legal victory over the SEC and the launch of the first spot XRP ETF, bringing the token back to the market's leadership. XRP is in demand in blockchain-based banking solutions for international remittances and remains one of the most recognized cryptocurrencies worldwide.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform offering fast and low-cost transactions; a competitor to Ethereum in the smart contract domain. SOL is trading around $140 (capitalization around $70 billion) following substantial growth observed in 2025. The Solana ecosystem attracts investors with the development of DeFi and GameFi projects, as well as expectations for SOL ETF launches. The network's rapid performance and support from substantial projects have enabled SOL to enter and maintain its position among the top ten cryptocurrencies.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform emphasizing a scientific approach to network development (development is based on academic research and validations). ADA currently stands around $0.60 (market value ~ $20 billion) following volatile shifts in price during the autumn. Despite pullbacks from peak values, Cardano remains in the top 10 due to its strong community, continuous network upgrades (scalability improvements, new features), and plans to launch investment products based on ADA, which helps maintain long-term investor interest.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, created as a joke but has gained immense popularity over time. DOGE is holding around $0.15 (capitalization ~$20–30 billion) and continues to rank among the largest coins due to its community loyalty and occasional attention from public figures. The volatility of Dogecoin historically remains very high; however, this coin has displayed remarkable resilience in investor interest over several cycles, maintaining its status as "the people's coin."
- TRON (TRX) — a blockchain platform for smart contracts, originally focused on entertainment and content. TRX currently holds a price of around $0.28 (capitalization ~ $25–30 billion). The TRON network is distinguished 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 decentralized applications (DeFi, gaming), allowing TRX to remain in the top 10 global cryptocurrencies.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin, issued by Circle and fully backed by U.S. dollar reserves. USDC consistently trades at a rate of $1.00, with its market capitalization around $50 billion. The coin is widely used by institutional investors and in the DeFi sector for transactions and value storage owing to its high transparency of reserves and regular audits. USDC competes with Tether, offering a more regulated and openly structured stablecoin model, making it appealing to 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 year's end has often been accompanied by heightened activity and rising cryptocurrency prices, though there are no guarantees of a repeat of this scenario. Optimists note that major negative factors from the recent downturn have already been priced into the market: the weakest players capitulated in November, the market has "cleared" itself of excessive optimism, and positive triggers may lie ahead (for example, approval of new crypto ETFs or awaited signals of central bank policy easing). Furthermore, several analysts from major banks remain bullish, with projections suggesting that Bitcoin may once again reach six-figure prices ($150,000–170,000 and higher) within the coming year under favorable macroeconomic conditions.
On the other hand, sustained high borrowing costs in the global economy and any new shocks (geopolitical escalation, tightening of regulations, significant bankruptcies in the industry) may prolong periods of instability in the crypto market. Many experts concur that for a return to a confident bullish trend, several conditions must simultaneously be met: declining inflation and interest rates, influx of fresh capital (including institutional), and the restoration of trust in the industry following the trials of the past year.
For now, the market exhibits cautious optimism: key cryptocurrencies are holding significant support levels, negative news is diminishing, and investors are gradually returning post-November shock. It is likely that in the coming weeks, the cryptocurrency market will continue to balance between hopes for renewed growth and concerns surrounding persistent risks. Nevertheless, most observers view 2026 with guarded optimism, anticipating a new wave of industry development and a gradual restoration of the upward trend as external conditions improve.
