Cryptocurrency News for December 19, 2025: Bitcoin Drops Below $90,000, Pressure on Altcoins, Institutional Interest, and a Review of the Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies for Investors.
As of the morning of December 19, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is facing pressure after a significant correction following a rapid rise earlier this year. The price of Bitcoin has dropped below the psychological threshold of $90,000, reducing the total crypto market capitalization to approximately $2.9 trillion. Following Bitcoin, major altcoins led by Ethereum are also declining; many of the top 10 digital assets are trading significantly below their peak values. Nevertheless, institutional investors continue to show interest in cryptocurrencies, with some using the current downturn to increase their investments amid mixed macroeconomic signals and gradual improvements in industry regulation.
Bitcoin Falls Below $90,000 Amid Correction
In recent days, Bitcoin (BTC) has fallen below the crucial level of $90,000 for the first time in nearly two months. On December 17, the price of the leading cryptocurrency briefly dropped to around $85,000 on some exchanges before partially recovering; currently, BTC is trading around $87,000. The current quote is nearly 30% lower than its all-time high (~$125,000) reached in October. The market capitalization of BTC is estimated at approximately $1.75 trillion, accounting for about 60% of the total cryptocurrency capitalization.
Analysts point out that the recent decline in Bitcoin is due to a combination of factors. Investors began to secure profits after an extended rally, and increased selling pressure has been observed on Asian cryptocurrency exchanges. Simultaneously, there remains demand from institutional players in the U.S.: on regulated platforms, capital inflows are noted, with large investors buying up coins released on the Asian market. Additionally, the actions of miners are affecting the market; due to a decline in mining profitability, some mining pools are liquidating parts of their BTC reserves, increasing the short-term supply in the market. However, fundamental network metrics are encouraging — Bitcoin's total "realized capitalization" recently reached a record $1.12 trillion. This indicates that the amount of funds invested in BTC (considering the purchase price of the coins) is currently at the highest level in history, despite the correction, reflecting the confidence of long-term holders.
Ethereum Drops Below $3,000
Following Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH) is also under pressure. For the first time in weeks, the price of ETH has dipped below the psychological threshold of $3,000 and is currently fluctuating around $2,830. The current price is approximately 40% below its recent peak (~$4,600, recorded in August 2025). The market capitalization of Ethereum stands at about $340 billion, corresponding to ~12% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization; Ether still confidently holds second place among the largest crypto assets.
Ethereum remains a fundamental platform for smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi), which helps maintain demand for Ether overall. Nonetheless, the current correction has also affected ETH: over the past day, the altcoin has declined by approximately 4%, slightly more than Bitcoin. Institutional interest in Ethereum has not disappeared — throughout 2025, a record influx of funds into Ethereum ETFs was observed following their launch in the U.S. in the summer of 2024. Major investment funds regard ETH as a promising asset tied to the development of blockchain infrastructure. Additionally, Ethereum developers are preparing network upgrades aimed at improving scalability and reducing fees, which should strengthen ETH's position in the long term.
Altcoins Under Pressure
The broader market for alternative cryptocurrencies reflects the overall downward trend. Over the past day, most major altcoins in the top 10 have declined by 2-5%, deepening the correction that has been ongoing for several weeks. The total market capitalization of altcoins (excluding BTC) has now fallen to ~$1.17 trillion, down from peak values this year (about $1.7 trillion). Many popular tokens are trading significantly below their highs. For instance, Ripple (XRP) is holding around $1.90 (down from ~$3 at its peak following Ripple's legal victory over the SEC), while Solana (SOL) has dropped to ~$125 after previously exceeding $190 in the autumn.
Some major altcoins are demonstrating relative resilience. Binance Coin (BNB) remains around $840, close to its historic highs despite the overall market decline and ongoing regulatory pressure on the Binance exchange. Overall, investors are partially shifting to less volatile assets, resulting in a slight increase in Bitcoin's market share: BTC currently accounts for about 60% of the total market capitalization, compared to ~58% a few months ago.
Institutional Interest in Cryptocurrencies
Despite market fluctuations, institutional investors continued to increase their presence in the cryptocurrency market in 2025. In the U.S., a key development was the emergence of the first spot ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum, which provided major funds and banks with convenient access to digital assets. Total investments in exchange-traded crypto funds have reached record levels, amounting to billions of dollars. Asset managers, hedge funds, and individual pension and sovereign funds are including cryptocurrencies in their portfolios, viewing them as a new promising asset class.
The industry is also receiving supportive signals from prominent players. For example, MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, continues to accumulate Bitcoin even during the correction, increasing its BTC holdings to a record level. Notably, attention from sovereign funds has also grown: Norway's largest investment fund publicly supported a Bitcoin-related initiative for the first time this year. Such actions from institutional players provide long-term support for the market and enhance the confidence of a broader range of investors.
Regulation and Macroeconomics
The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in 2025 is gradually improving in key jurisdictions. In the U.S., after prolonged legal battles in recent years, a certain clarity has emerged: court decisions (including Ripple's partial victory in its dispute with the SEC) have established important precedents, and Congress is discussing legislation regarding stablecoins and the taxation of digital assets. The European Union is implementing the MiCA framework, which establishes unified requirements for the industry and attracts companies due to the predictability of regulation. In Asia, authorities are taking diverse positions: Hong Kong and Singapore are striving to become crypto hubs by implementing clear rules for trading digital assets, while China maintains strict restrictions on cryptocurrency transactions.
The overall macroeconomic backdrop is also impacting the cryptocurrency market. Leading central banks (the U.S. Federal Reserve, the ECB) are maintaining a policy of high interest rates at the end of 2025; however, inflation in these economies is declining, which raises expectations for gradual easing of monetary conditions in 2026. This factor has the potential to bolster demand for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, following a period of tightening. The political situation in the U.S. is attracting investors' attention: the administration of President Donald Trump declares support for innovation and refrains from excessive pressure on the crypto industry (notably, discussing an initiative to create a government reserve in Bitcoin). Taken together, clearer regulation and stabilization of the economy are reducing uncertainty and creating a foundation for new capital inflows into the cryptocurrency market.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
The explosive summer growth of cryptocurrencies has transitioned into a phase of heightened volatility and caution among investors. The Cryptocurrency Fear and Greed Index has dropped to around 45 points, indicating a sentiment of "fear" (the index was in the "greed" zone above 70 just a few months ago). This reflects a significant cooling of optimism: market participants are now much more inclined to reduce risks, fearing further price declines.
Statistics on margin position liquidations also confirm market nervousness. Over the past day, positions worth over $300 million were forcibly closed on cryptocurrency exchanges, primarily on long contracts for altcoins. Such episodes demonstrate that excessive use of leverage remains a serious risk: sudden price fluctuations can "knock out" both bearish and bullish positions when traders become overly engaged in margin trading.
Forecasts and Expectations
Despite the current price drop, many analysts maintain optimism regarding the future prospects of the cryptocurrency market. Several forecasts from major financial institutions remain "bullish". For instance, one international bank previously projected Bitcoin's rise to $150,000 to $200,000 by the end of 2025; these targets now seem overly aggressive, although some experts expect such levels to be reached in 2026.
Observers note that historically, market cycles following Bitcoin halvings have included multi-month rallies. They believe the current decline is a form of intermediate consolidation before a new growth phase. If the macroeconomic situation improves, the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies could return to record highs and exceed the $5 trillion mark next year. At the same time, skeptics warn of persistent risks: if tight monetary policy drags on or regulators impose stricter requirements, the growth of crypto assets may be constrained. Overall, in a favorable economic environment and with continued institutional capital inflow, the majority of experts expect a gradual recovery of the upward trend in 2026.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of December 19, 2025, the following digital assets rank among the top 10 by market capitalization:
- Bitcoin (BTC) — The first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $86,450 after a recent correction; market capitalization is approximately $1.75 trillion (≈60% of the entire market).
- Ethereum (ETH) — The leading altcoin and platform for smart contracts. The price of ETH is about $2,834, significantly lower than record levels, with a market capitalization of around $340 billion (≈12% of the market).
- Tether (USDT) — The largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar (1:1). USDT is widely used for trading and settlements, with a capitalization of about $150 billion; the coin maintains a stable price of $1.00.
- Ripple (XRP) — The token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border settlements. XRP is trading around $1.90, with a market capitalization of approximately $110 billion. Investors have positively assessed the legal clarity of XRP's status in the U.S., previously propelling the token into market leadership. Despite a retreat from peak levels, XRP remains one of the largest crypto assets.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — The coin of the largest exchange, Binance, and the native token of the BNB Chain. The price of BNB is about $840, close to its historical peak; market capitalization is around $130 billion. Despite regulatory pressure on Binance, the token remains in the top 5 due to its broad applicability on the exchange and within the DeFi ecosystem.
- Solana (SOL) — A high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications. SOL is trading around $124 (market capitalization ~$50 billion) after impressive growth this year. Interest in Solana is supported by expectations of a potential ETF approval for this asset in the U.S. and the expanding ecosystem of projects built on it.
- USD Coin (USDC) — The second-largest stablecoin backed by reserves in U.S. dollars (issuer — Circle). The price of USDC is supported at $1.00, with a market capitalization of around $60 billion. USDC is widely used by institutional investors and in DeFi protocols due to its high reserve transparency.
- Cardano (ADA) — A blockchain platform emphasizing a scientific approach to development. ADA is priced around $0.65 (market capitalization ~$20 billion) after retreating from recent local highs. The project attracts attention due to plans for launching its own ETF and an active community that believes in the long-term price growth of ADA.
- TRON (TRX) — A platform for smart contracts and multimedia dApps, particularly popular in Asia. TRX is trading around $0.25; market capitalization is ~ $23 billion. TRON maintains a presence in the top 10 partly due to its network being used for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the Tron blockchain).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — The most well-known meme cryptocurrency originally created as a joke. DOGE is holding near $0.12 (market capitalization ~ $17 billion), supported by community loyalty and occasional attention from prominent personalities. Although Dogecoin's volatility remains high, this coin is still in the top 10, demonstrating remarkable investor interest.
Cryptocurrency Market as of the Morning of December 19, 2025
Prices of Major Cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin (BTC): $86,450
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,834
- Ripple (XRP): $1.86
- Binance Coin (BNB): $844
- Solana (SOL): $124
- Tether (USDT): $1.00
Market Metrics:
- Total Market Capitalization: $2.91 trillion
- Bitcoin's Share: 59.8%
- Fear and Greed Index: 45 (Fear)
Leaders in Daily Change:
- Increase: Uniswap (UNI) — +4%
- Decrease: Conflux (CFX) — -11%
Analysis: Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to face resistance near current levels, while the sentiment index has shifted to the fear zone, reflecting general caution in the market. The local rise of Uniswap indicates that positive news for specific projects can still support their quotes even during an overall downturn. Meanwhile, the double-digit drop of Conflux highlights high nervousness: investors likely took profits or reacted to adverse news surrounding this altcoin. Overall, conditions remain tense: many traders are reducing risks and closely monitoring key support levels (such as ~$80,000 for BTC) to assess the market's further direction.
