Current Cryptocurrency News as of December 17, 2025: Bitcoin and Ethereum Trends, Digital Asset Market Status, Institutional Investors, and Overview of the Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies Worldwide.
The cryptocurrency market continues to show signs of decline in mid-December amid global uncertainty. Bitcoin (BTC) has dropped to around $85,000, reaching its lowest values in the last two weeks, while Ethereum (ETH) is trading below $3,000 once again. Investors are exercising caution due to macroeconomic risks and decreasing liquidity as the year draws to a close. Nevertheless, major institutional players remain optimistic: leading companies are increasing their investments in digital assets and expanding their blockchain-related activities, signaling confidence in the long-term prospects of the cryptocurrency market.
Cryptocurrency Market: December Decline
The entire digital asset market has declined alongside traditional stock exchanges. The total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies is now around $3 trillion, approximately 5% lower than the previous day. Risky assets are under pressure due to ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty: investors are concerned about high interest rates and the potential for an economic slowdown in 2026. An additional factor is the correction in the tech sector: the sell-off of several overvalued AI stocks has undermined risk appetite and had a negative impact on digital assets. Furthermore, as the year comes to a close, the market is experiencing decreased liquidity, which exacerbates price volatility for crypto assets.
Bitcoin: A Volatile Year and Current Levels
Bitcoin remains a barometer for the entire crypto market. In 2025, the first cryptocurrency experienced extremely volatile dynamics: after a rapid rally and reaching an all-time high (over $125,000 in early October), it faced a sharp decline. Currently, BTC is trading around $85,000, effectively returning to its early-year level. As a result, there is a risk of finishing the year with a negative result—marking the first time since 2022.
Bitcoin's volatility is largely attributed to external factors. The correlation of BTC with stock indices has notably intensified due to the influx of traditional investors to the market, so stock market shocks (such as corrections in overvalued tech stocks) directly affect cryptocurrency prices. Currently, the Bitcoin market shows signs of heightened caution: margin trading volumes and activity on the BTC blockchain have declined to yearly lows.
Nonetheless, long-term holders continue to accumulate bitcoins, anticipating future asset appreciation. Several analysts also maintain optimism—for instance, investment firm Grayscale suggests that Bitcoin could reach a new price peak in the first half of 2026, based on historical cycles (post the latest "halving") and the expected easing of macroeconomic conditions.
Ethereum and Altcoins: Mixed Dynamics
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, is generally mirroring market dynamics. Currently, Ether (ETH) is trading at around $3,000 after rising to $4,000 during the autumn peak. Over the past few weeks, the value of ETH has decreased by approximately 10%, reflecting the overall sector correction.
Most major altcoins are also under pressure. For example, Ripple (XRP) briefly dropped below the psychological mark of $2 this week amid the general sell-off. Binance Coin (BNB), Cardano (ADA), and Solana (SOL) have lost value in December, following Bitcoin's trend. However, certain projects stand out: TRON (TRX) has shown growth over the year, maintaining its position among the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, thanks to sustained user demand.
Institutional Players Strengthen Their Presence
Institutional investors continue to actively engage with the crypto market. BlackRock, the world's largest asset management company, has announced the expansion of its cryptocurrency team, opening up seven new positions related to digital assets in the U.S. and Asia. The plan includes strengthening the product lineup in crypto investments (including the development of exchange-traded funds based on digital assets) and seeking strategic opportunities in Asia, indicating the company's long-term plans regarding blockchain.
Another example is MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, which continues to increase its BTC holdings. In December, the firm purchased nearly $1 billion in bitcoins for the second time, despite the recent price decline, demonstrating confidence in the long-term value of the asset.
It is worth noting that amidst the December price decline, some institutional investors are locking in profits in the short term. In mid-December, there was a noticeable outflow of funds from exchange-traded crypto funds in the U.S.: both Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs recorded significant capital outflows after a previous influx in the autumn. Nevertheless, the overall trend remains positive—the emergence of the first Bitcoin spot ETFs this year and the increasing participation of financial giants indicates strengthening positions for cryptocurrencies in traditional finance.
Regulators and Banks: A Move Towards Integration
The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrencies is gradually becoming more favorable. The U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) has notably softened its rhetoric regarding crypto assets and stablecoins in its 2025 annual report. The document highlights a shift from focusing on risks to recognizing the potential for integrating digital assets into the financial system and supporting responsible innovative development within the sector. This change signals that authorities are increasingly viewing cryptocurrencies as an inevitable part of the economy, necessitating regulatory adaptation rather than outright bans.
Traditional banks are also taking steps towards embracing blockchain technologies. American bank JPMorgan Chase announced on December 15 the launch of the first tokenized money market fund based on Ethereum blockchain. The bank has invested $100 million of its own funds into this pilot project, showcasing a desire to harness the benefits of tokenization for traditional financial products. Experts note that such initiatives from major banks reflect a trend towards merging classic finance with cryptocurrency technologies—from issuing digital bonds to creating real-time settlement infrastructures on the blockchain.
Stablecoins: A Driver for Mass Adoption
Stablecoins—crypto assets pegged to fiat currencies—are becoming a crucial link between traditional finance and blockchain. Their combined market capitalization already exceeds $250 billion, with tokens like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) widely used for payments and cross-border transfers in the digital economy. Experts predict that stable digital currencies may initiate the next global "supercycle" of industry growth. Over the next five years, mass adoption of stablecoins is likely to generate over 100,000 new payment systems worldwide, leading to a profound restructuring of traditional financial infrastructure and accelerating the widespread acceptance of cryptocurrencies in everyday transactions.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency in the world, created in 2009. Bitcoin is viewed as "digital gold" and the primary benchmark for the crypto market, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.7 trillion (at a price of around $85,000 per coin).
- Ethereum (ETH) – the leading platform for smart contracts and the second largest digital asset by market capitalization. Launched in 2015, the Ethereum blockchain serves as the foundation for a decentralized application ecosystem (DeFi, NFTs, etc.). The ETH token has a capitalization of around $370 billion (with a price of about $3,000).
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio. It acts as a digital equivalent of the dollar in the crypto market and is widely used by traders to quickly move liquidity between exchanges. The market capitalization of USDT is around $186 billion, maintaining a stable price of approximately $1.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the Binance exchange and its blockchain ecosystem. It is used for paying fees on the platform and operating the Binance Smart Chain network. BNB ranks among the most valuable crypto assets, with a market capitalization of about $122 billion (price around $888).
- Ripple (XRP) – a cryptocurrency developed by Ripple for fast and cheap international payments. XRP is intended for use by banks and payment systems as an alternative to traditional bank transfers. It is among the top five cryptocurrencies, with a market capitalization of around $120 billion (price ~ $2).
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second-largest stablecoin backed by the U.S. dollar. Issued by the Centre consortium (Circle and Coinbase), it is characterized by high transparency of reserves and is widely used in trading and the DeFi sector. Its market capitalization is about $78 billion.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-speed blockchain offering a scalable platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications. Solana attracts DeFi and NFT projects due to low fees and high network throughput. The estimated market capitalization of SOL is approximately $74 billion (price around $130).
- TRON (TRX) – a blockchain platform focused on entertainment and digital content. TRON provides infrastructure for creating decentralized applications and issuing stablecoins with minimal fees. Its cryptocurrency TRX has a market capitalization of about $27 billion (price ~$0.28).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – a meme cryptocurrency that started as a humorous experiment but gained widespread popularity over time. DOGE is well-known for its active community and support from notable enthusiasts (such as Elon Musk). The coin is used for tipping and microtransactions in online communities, remaining among the top ten cryptocurrencies with a market capitalization of around $23 billion (price ~$0.14).
- Cardano (ADA) – a blockchain platform utilizing a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, developed on scientific principles. Cardano aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for smart contracts and decentralized applications. The ADA cryptocurrency is among the ten largest, with a market capitalization of approximately $14 billion (price around $0.40).
