Cryptocurrency News for Friday, December 26, 2025: Bitcoin and Ethereum Dynamics, Altcoin Market, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies, Institutional Investors, and Key Trends in the Global Crypto Market.
Current cryptocurrency news as of December 26, 2025: The cryptocurrency market is consolidating after the Christmas holidays. Bitcoin is holding steady near the $88,000 mark, demonstrating resilience despite recent fluctuations. Major altcoins, including Ethereum, are gradually regaining ground after a volatile start to the week; many digital assets in the top 10 are showing moderate growth. Investors—both retail and institutional—are exhibiting cautious optimism, banking on an improved regulatory environment and continued interest from major players in crypto assets.
Bitcoin Consolidates Below $90,000
In the closing days of December, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading relatively steadily, consolidating within the $85,000 to $89,000 range. Following a brief drop earlier in the week (amid thin holiday liquidity where BTC briefly dipped below $85,000), the first cryptocurrency quickly recovered to its current price of approximately $88,000. This is significantly lower than the year's historical peak (earlier in 2025, Bitcoin briefly surpassed $120,000), yet around 120% higher than the levels at the start of the year, highlighting impressive growth over the year despite the recent correction. The market capitalization of BTC stands at approximately $1.7 trillion, with Bitcoin's share maintained at around 58% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization. Technical analysts note that Bitcoin has yet to break through the psychologically important threshold of $90,000—resistance around this level is palpable in the market. Nevertheless, BTC’s resilience near $88,000 indicates investor confidence: even amid the holiday lull, sellers could not push the price significantly lower. Experts also point to the influence of macroeconomic factors: in the US and Europe, a softening of monetary policy is expected in 2026, which traditionally enhances the appeal of risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Additionally, the crypto-friendly policies of the Trump administration have positively impacted the market: in 2025, the US passed a stablecoin law, and the first Bitcoin spot ETFs were launched, thereby strengthening large investors' trust in the market.
Ethereum Holds Its Ground
Following Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, demonstrates stability. Earlier in the summer, Ethereum had approached multi-year highs (around $4,800), but by December's end, its price adjusted along with the rest of the market. After falling below $3,000 midweek, ETH managed to recover some losses: it is now trading around $3,000, showing moderate growth in the last 24 hours. The market capitalization of ETH is around $350 billion (approximately 12% of the total market capitalization), maintaining a solid second position. Ethereum continues to be a fundamental platform for smart contracts, DeFi protocols, and the NFT ecosystem, sustaining a fundamental demand for the coin. Investors are anticipating further development of the Ethereum ecosystem in 2026—focusing on the rollout of new network updates to enhance scalability, as well as the potential approval of the first spot ETFs on Ethereum following Bitcoin ETFs. These factors shape positive long-term expectations for ETH, even if the short-term price dynamics remain volatile.
Altcoins Exhibit Recovery
The broad altcoin market is attempting to build upon recovery after the December fluctuations. Many large altcoins from the top 10 are currently in the green, compensating for recent declines. Over the past 24 hours, prices of most leading digital assets have risen by 2-4%, reflecting a moderate improvement in sentiment. For instance, Binance Coin, Solana, and Cardano are gaining several percentage points following the stabilization of Bitcoin and Ethereum. The total cryptocurrency market capitalization is estimated at approximately $3.0 trillion compared to $4.1 trillion at the peak in August—a correction has significantly reduced the overall market value, but the current consolidation indicates attempts to form a new base for growth. Market observers note a rotation of interest: retail traders, after recent declines, are being more cautious and are shifting towards more reliable “blue-chip” cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum), while institutional investors continue to accumulate positions, anticipating a shift in the market to a new growth phase. Specific mid-cap coins are also showing strength—for example, Monero (XMR) is hovering just ~10% below its historical high, indicating selective interest in niche projects (in this case, privacy cryptocurrencies). Overall, however, altcoins are still lagging behind Bitcoin in recovery rates but retain potential for a rally if general conditions improve.
Institutional Investments and Regulation
One of the key trends of 2025 has been the increasing institutional involvement in the cryptocurrency market. Despite recent corrections, interest from large investors in digital assets remains high. Throughout the year, the first Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) launched in the US, and in the initial months of their operation, these funds accumulated hundreds of thousands of BTC. However, by the year's end, a partial outflow was noted; according to recent data, some Bitcoin ETFs have reduced their reserves by approximately 24,000 BTC (around $2.1 billion) in December, which may indicate profit-taking by some institutions. Conversely, other players are increasing their investments: public companies, hedge funds, and even governments in individual countries are replenishing their treasury reserves with Bitcoin, solidifying BTC's status as “digital gold.” Notably, an equivalent to MicroStrategy is forming in Asia: the company Metaplanet (Japan) received shareholder approval for an ambitious plan to accumulate 210,000 BTC by 2027 (around 1% of the total Bitcoin supply). Such decisive moves from institutional investors signify a long-term belief in the growth of cryptocurrencies. Regulators are also gradually creating a clearer playing field: the stablecoin law passed in the US establishes standards for collateralized digital currencies, and legislation (the CLARITY bill) is being discussed to define the status of crypto assets more clearly. Overall, the easing of regulatory uncertainty in leading jurisdictions (US, EU, Asia) and the friendly rhetoric from authorities are facilitating the influx of institutional capital into the industry.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
Sharp price fluctuations that occurred in the middle of the current week reminded investors of the persistent volatility of the cryptocurrency market. On Monday and Tuesday, over $1 billion in margin positions were liquidated as the rapid decline of Bitcoin below $85,000 triggered a “washout” of leveraged trades. However, by Friday, the situation had relatively stabilized. The fear and greed index for cryptocurrencies is currently at around 50 out of 100 points, indicating a neutral sentiment (for comparison, it exceeded 70 earlier in the summer, signaling euphoria). The decline in the index reflects a partial cooling of enthusiasm among retail market participants following the correction. Many traders have adopted a wait-and-see approach amid the holidays and low liquidity—historically, the end of December is characterized by decreased trading activity, which can lead to increased volatility with the release of any major news. Meanwhile, analysts note a divergence in sentiment between different investor groups: retail players are adopting a cautious outlook following recent sharp fluctuations, while institutions remain bullish and view dips as buying opportunities. Collectively, the market sentiment can be characterized as cautiously optimistic: the quick retracement from local lows has boosted confidence in market stability; however, for a new full-fledged rally to begin, investors would like to see additional drivers—such as improvements in the macroeconomic situation or major positive news from the industry.
Forecasts and Expectations
Looking ahead to 2026 in the crypto industry remains predominantly optimistic despite the current pause in growth. Many analysts and financial institutions maintain bullish forecasts for Bitcoin and the market as a whole. For instance, major British bank Standard Chartered recently stated that it expects the value of BTC to grow to $500,000 by 2030, highlighting limited supply and rising demand from investors. In a shorter-term horizon, forecasts are more cautious: Galaxy Digital experts believe that 2026 may be volatile and “hard to predict,” although they do not rule out Bitcoin's rise to $200,000-$250,000 by 2027. The upcoming 2026 will mark the first full year following the launch of crypto ETFs in the US, and market participants will closely monitor capital inflows through these instruments. Another factor is the potential decline in global interest rates—a loosening of monetary policy could provide a new impetus for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. An upcoming event on the agenda is the next Bitcoin halving (reduction in mining rewards), expected in 2028—historically, the market has begun to rally several quarters prior to this event, so many anticipate bullish trends to strengthen in 2026-2027. Overall, long-term holders and institutions express confidence that the current consolidation is temporary, and in the coming years, the cryptocurrency market will be able to surpass its previous highs as the industry matures and new capital flows in. Nevertheless, several analysts warn of ongoing risks: potential tightening of regulation in certain countries, geopolitical instability, or unforeseen macroeconomic shocks could temporarily cool the market. Investors are advised to maintain a balance between enthusiasm and caution, carefully assessing both growth potential and risks.
Top-10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of December 26, 2025, the following digital assets are among the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $88,000 after a volatile week, demonstrating its ability to hold its positions. Bitcoin's market capitalization is approximately $1.7 trillion (dominance ~58% of the total market).
- Ethereum (ETH) – the leading altcoin and the primary platform for smart contracts. ETH's price is around $3,000, which is below multi-year peaks, but Ethereum maintains a key role in DeFi and NFT ecosystems. ETH's capitalization is about $350 billion (~12% of the market).
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is widely used for trading and settlements in the cryptocurrency market, and its capitalization is around $150 billion; the coin consistently trades close to $1.00 due to its reserve backing.
- Ripple (XRP) – the token for the Ripple payment network for cross-border settlements. XRP is trading around $2.50, with a market capitalization of ~$140 billion. Investors positively reacted to the legal clarity of XRP's status in the US, allowing the token to regain its position among market leaders in 2025.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the native token for the BNB Chain blockchain. BNB is priced around $650 (market capitalization of approximately $100 billion). Despite regulatory pressure on Binance in various jurisdictions, BNB remains in the top 5 due to its wide range of applications—from fee payments on the exchange to usage in DeFi protocols.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications. SOL is trading around $150 per coin (capitalization ~$80 billion), close to early 2022 levels. Interest in Solana is sustained by the growth of its project ecosystem and expectations for a future ETF on Solana, potentially attracting additional investments.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second-largest stablecoin, issued by Circle and fully backed by dollar reserves. USDC's price is stable at $1.00, with a capitalization of around $60 billion. USDC is actively used by institutional investors and in DeFi due to high transparency of reserves and regulatory compliance.
- Cardano (ADA) – a blockchain platform emphasizing a scientific approach to development. ADA is currently priced at approximately $0.85 (market value ~$28 billion) after recent volatility. Cardano is attracting attention with plans for network scaling and development of a decentralized application ecosystem; communities and investors hope for long-term growth from this project.
- TRON (TRX) – a platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications, particularly popular in Asia. TRX is trading around $0.30; its market capitalization is ~ $27 billion. TRON maintains its position among the top cryptocurrencies partly due to the active use of its network for stablecoin issuance (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the Tron blockchain) and ongoing development of its content and DeFi ecosystem.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most well-known “meme” cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke. DOGE hovers around $0.18 (market capitalization ~$26 billion), largely due to community loyalty and periodic attention from prominent figures. Despite high volatility and lack of fundamental value, Dogecoin continues to rank in the top 10, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest.
Cryptocurrency Market as of Morning, December 26, 2025
Prices of major cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin (BTC): $87,400
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,980
- XRP (XRP): $2.55
- BNB (BNB): $645
- Solana (SOL): $152
- Tether (USDT): $1.00
Market Metrics:
- Total cryptocurrency market capitalization: ~$3.0 trillion
- Bitcoin's share: 58.2%
- Fear and Greed Index: 50 (neutral)
Leaders in Change for the Day:
- Gain: Monero (XMR) — +5.4%
- Decline: Conflux (CFX) — –7.8%
Analysis: Bitcoin and Ethereum exhibit relative stability near current levels, instilling confidence in market participants following recent turbulence. The sentiment index (fear and greed) stands at a neutral mark, while just a few months ago, it signaled "greed"—this reflects a partial shift in sentiment towards a more cautious approach. The growth leader XMR indicates investor interest in privacy and alternative cryptocurrencies amid the search for new growth points. Concurrently, the decline of CFX over the day may be linked to profit-taking on a previously appreciated token or local negative news regarding the project. Overall, the market enters the final days of the year in a state of equilibrium: active movements are concentrated in select altcoins, while major currencies are consolidating, preparing for potential impulses in the new year.
