Global Cryptocurrency News, Sunday, December 28, 2025: Bitcoin on the Brink of $90,000, Altcoins and Market Sentiments, Institutional Trends and Top 10 Cryptocurrencies
Current cryptocurrency news as of December 28, 2025: The digital asset market is consolidating in the final days of the year. Bitcoin is holding steady near $88,000, demonstrating resilience even after recent fluctuations. Major altcoins, including Ethereum, are slowly regaining lost 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 displaying cautious optimism, bolstered by an improving regulatory environment and continued interest from major players in crypto assets.
Cryptocurrency Market: Consolidation Towards Year-End
The global cryptocurrency market is approaching the end of 2025 with a total capitalization of around $3 trillion, only slightly below the record highs reached during this year's rally. In recent days, there has been a moderate decline in prices (about 1% per day as of December 27), reflecting investor caution ahead of the New Year celebrations. Trading volumes remain low due to the festive lull, and market volatility is being tempered by low liquidity. The "fear and greed" index for cryptocurrencies has dropped into the "fear" zone, signaling a predominance of cautious sentiments among participants. Nevertheless, compared to the beginning of the year, the market has shown significant growth (Bitcoin has gained over 100% year-to-date), despite the recent correction. Investors are carefully assessing the outlook as 2026 approaches, preferring a wait-and-see strategy until new signals emerge.
Bitcoin: Consolidation Under $90,000 After Record Rally
The leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC), is currently trading relatively steadily, holding within the $87,000–$89,000 range and inching closer to the psychologically important level of $90,000. In the fall, BTC reached an all-time high of approximately $126,000 (in October 2025), but by December, it had retreated about 30% from that peak. Such corrections are nothing new for Bitcoin; in previous cycles (2017, 2021), after rapid price increases, declines of 30–50% were followed by recoveries. The current drop is largely attributed to profit-taking and a reduction in leverage in the market: many traders and funds have decreased risk positions amid partial capital outflows.
The end of this week has been marked by the largest option contract expirations in cryptocurrency history. On December 26, options with a total face value of about $28 billion expired (including approximately $23.7 billion in Bitcoin), leading to increased short-term volatility and keeping the price of BTC near key strike levels. After the expiration date, the pressure has somewhat eased: analysts note that large option expirations often lead to neutral or moderately positive dynamics as the market is released from constraints. Currently, key support for Bitcoin is around the $85,000–$87,000 area, while resistance is faced at $90,000–$93,000. A confident breakout above $90,000 could pave the way for new highs (many anticipate a move towards $100,000), but for now, buyers are proceeding cautiously.
On-chain metrics, however, demonstrate a healthy picture. The influx of Bitcoin to exchanges from large holders (the so-called "whales") is at a minimum for the current cycle, indicating an absence of panic selling from long-term investors. The supply of stablecoins in the market has reached record levels (around $300 billion in total), reflecting the presence of a significant volume of "dry powder" — capital waiting for a favorable moment to enter the market. These factors instill confidence that following the consolidation phase, Bitcoin can stabilize and resume its growth in improving overall market conditions.
Ethereum: Network Activity Peaks, Price Lags
The second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum (ETH), is holding around the $2,900–$3,000 mark, remaining approximately 35–40% below its peak in 2025. Ethereum's price dynamics have lagged behind Bitcoin in recent months (the ETH/BTC pairs have declined, reflecting partial capital inflows into BTC), although the fundamental indicators of the Ethereum network are hitting records. Recent protocol updates (including the activation of the Dencun upgrade package featuring Proto-Danksharding technology) have increased the network's throughput and reduced fees, stimulating the growth of usage. In December, the Ethereum network recorded an all-time high in daily load: approximately 1.9 million transactions were processed in 24 hours with average fees below $0.20. This spike in on-chain activity is largely attributed to the growth in stablecoin transactions and decentralized exchanges (DEX), demonstrating sustained demand for the Ethereum platform for financial applications.
Despite improving network metrics, price pressures continue to weigh on ETH. Similar to Bitcoin, significant volumes of Ethereum options (about $6 billion) are expiring this week, influencing the market in light of these derivative levels. Additionally, many ETH holders are still at a loss compared to this year's peak prices, which limits short-term optimism. Nevertheless, Ethereum has shown slight growth (~4%) over the past week, recovering from recent local lows. Experts note that Ethereum's future dynamics will depend on the capital inflows into the cryptocurrency sector at the beginning of 2026: if Bitcoin stabilizes, investors may once again focus on Ethereum as the foundational asset of the decentralized finance ecosystem.
Altcoins: Divergent Trends Among Leading Coins
In the altcoin segment, mixed dynamics are observed: some leading coins are steadily rising while others stagnate. Investors are revisiting their portfolios, betting on projects with the strongest fundamentals. Here are some notable movements and trends among top altcoins:
- Solana (SOL) – one of the brightest "stars" of recent years. The high-speed Solana blockchain is attracting developers and users, allowing the coin to confidently secure its position among market leaders. Currently, SOL is trading around $125 (with a market capitalization of approximately $70 billion) and has grown nearly 900% over the past three years, significantly outpacing Bitcoin's growth. Solana has regained its footing after last year's technical issues and is viewed by some investors as a promising competitor to Ethereum due to its network's high throughput.
- XRP (Ripple) – the token of the Ripple payment network maintains its place in the top 5 thanks to the restoration of investor confidence. In 2025, Ripple achieved significant legal victories in disputes with regulators, eliminating uncertainty that had long pressured XRP. With this clarity, XRP is demonstrating relative resilience: even when the market declined at the end of the year, investment products associated with XRP (ETFs and trusts) continued to see capital inflows. This made XRP a sort of "safe haven" among altcoins: the token price avoids sharp drops, and institutional interest supports its stability.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, continues to rank among the top ten by market capitalization. BNB services the Binance Smart Chain ecosystem and provides holders with discounts on exchange fees. In 2025, BNB did not show explosive growth and faced challenges due to tightening regulations regarding centralized exchanges. However, the coin retains significant capitalization, and the recent market rebound has helped BNB regain some of its lost positions. Investors are closely watching the situation around Binance: BNB's sustained strength will depend on the exchange's ability to adapt to new regulatory requirements globally.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) and Cardano (ADA) – these popular cryptocurrencies are displaying relatively weak dynamics as 2025 comes to a close. DOGE, the well-known meme-token, remains in the top 10 largely due to its devoted community and the support of several famous personalities; however, its price stagnates and has hardly changed over the past week. Cardano – a smart contract platform with a scientifically oriented approach to development – has also shown no significant growth in recent months: its ADA token is trading within a narrow range around current levels. Both assets have suffered from capital flows into more "trendy" projects, and their recovery is likely to require new drivers, such as technological updates or expanded practical applications.
- Hyperliquid (HYPE) – a new promising player in the Layer-1 sector launched in 2025. The Hyperliquid platform provides compatibility with Ethereum (thanks to HyperEVM technology) and high transaction processing speed. The HYPE token has drawn investor attention, rising about 35% over the year, and is already being compared to Solana in terms of growth potential. Although Hyperliquid has not yet caught up to the market veterans in capitalization, the project is showing an upward trend due to its technical advantages. Experts believe that Hyperliquid could eventually contend for a spot in the top 10 if it maintains its development pace and attracts more developers to its ecosystem.
Institutional Trends: Outflows from ETFs and Corporate Accumulation
In 2025, institutional investors played a significant role in the cryptocurrency market. One of the key events of the year was the launch of the first spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S., which provided a powerful growth impulse to the market early in the year. However, by the end of December, the situation had changed: as sentiments soured, the same ETFs became a "quick exit" for capital. In recent weeks, major Bitcoin funds have been experiencing outflows. For example, the flagship Bitcoin spot ETF (IBIT from BlackRock) lost about $2.7 billion (around 5% of its assets) due to capital withdrawal over approximately a month until the end of November. Such significant outflows demonstrate how quickly capital flows can change: what previously served as a rally driver can intensify price pressure once sentiments shift.
Outflows are affecting not only Bitcoin but also Ethereum funds – as the year comes to a close, investors are withdrawing some funds from them. Nevertheless, certain niche products related to altcoins have become exceptions. Inflows have been observed in specific funds associated, for example, with Solana and XRP: in December, they exhibited a small influx of funds despite the overall trend. This indicates a growing diversification of interests: some institutional investors are seeking opportunities not only in BTC and ETH but also in other assets with high growth potential.
Concurrently with the fluctuations in ETF sentiments, large corporations and funds continued strategic accumulation of cryptocurrencies. A notable example is the company Metaplanet, dubbed the "Asian MicroStrategy." In December, Metaplanet's shareholders approved an ambitious plan to acquire 210,000 BTC by 2027, equivalent to approximately 1% of total Bitcoin issuance. Currently, Metaplanet holds over 30,000 BTC (accumulated since 2024) and intends to significantly expand its crypto treasury by attracting capital in Asian markets and through the issuance of additional shares. This move signals the persistent long-term confidence of major players in Bitcoin's potential: despite volatility, companies view BTC as a strategic reserve asset. Overall, institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies in 2025 progressed — from the emergence of regulated investment products (ETFs) to the direct placement of digital assets on corporate balance sheets. This trend is expected to continue in 2026, especially as regulators clarify the "rules of the game," making digital assets more accessible and understandable for traditional financial institutions.
Investor Sentiment and Macro-Economic Impact
At the end of December, sentiments in the cryptocurrency market remain cautious. Sentiment indicators, such as the "fear and greed" index, have been stuck in the "fear" zone for a couple of weeks, reflecting prevailing concerns over greed. Investors are worried about a combination of factors: recent price corrections, record events in the derivatives market, and external macroeconomic signals.
By year-end, the influence of traditional markets on the crypto industry has intensified. Global stock indexes and gold prices have hit historical highs, indicating sustained high risk appetite overall. However, rising yields on U.S. government bonds (10-year UST reached ~4.2%, a maximum in recent months) have created competition for capital: against the backdrop of high rates, risk-free instruments look more attractive, potentially exacerbating outflows from crypto ETFs and putting pressure on digital asset prices.
Nevertheless, several macro factors are favorable for cryptocurrencies. The U.S. Federal Reserve paused its monetary tightening in December, and in 2026, markets expect a softening of the regulator's rhetoric, which could potentially increase liquidity in the markets. In other regions, however, tightening appears to be on the horizon: for example, the Bank of Japan has signaled a gradual tapering of its ultra-easy policy, causing currency fluctuations. Such divergent actions by central banks increase volatility in the forex markets and indirectly affect the crypto industry, which is increasingly viewed as an asset class sensitive to global liquidity.
Within the cryptocurrency market itself, there are also positive signals. In addition to the already mentioned record stablecoin reserves and minimal selling activity from "whale" investors, margin lending volumes in DeFi protocols are decreasing — traders consciously reduce risks, clearing the market of overheated positions. All of this lays the foundation for a more resilient state of the industry: when sentiments turn positive, significant capital reserves can quickly re-enter the game. Experts recommend that investors maintain a balanced strategy: in the thin festive market, avoid excessive leverage and wait for an increase in trading volumes and the return of institutional funds. Many participants are currently taking a wait-and-see approach, observing how the market will navigate the holiday period and major derivatives expirations.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency in the world. BTC is often compared to "digital gold" due to its limited supply and role as a safe-haven asset. In 2025, Bitcoin reached new all-time highs (over $120,000), attracting increased attention from both retail and institutional investors. Currently, BTC is trading around $88,000, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.7 trillion (dominating ~58% of the entire market).
- Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest cryptocurrency and leading platform for smart contracts. Ethereum underpins the decentralized finance (DeFi), NFT, and many blockchain application ecosystems. The ETH token is used to pay fees on the network and is in demand among developers and users worldwide. The current price of ETH is around $3,000, which is below multi-year peaks, yet Ethereum's role in the crypto industry remains key (market capitalization of around $350 billion, ~12% of the market).
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar (1 USDT = $1). USDT is widely used for trading and storing funds, providing a link between cryptocurrency and fiat markets. Its high market capitalization (around $150 billion) reflects the significant role of stablecoins in the crypto economy. USDT maintains a stable exchange rate due to full reserve backing and continues to be an indispensable liquidity tool on most exchanges.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the Binance exchange and its associated blockchain platform (BNB Chain). BNB is used to pay fees on the exchange (with discounts for holders) and also serves as "fuel" for transactions on the Binance Smart Chain. With its expansive Binance ecosystem, the BNB token has established itself among the leading cryptocurrencies by market valuation (capitalization of around $100 billion). Despite regulatory pressures on Binance in various countries, BNB retains strong positions due to numerous use cases in the crypto ecosystem.
- USD Coin (USDC) – another popular stablecoin issued by the Centre consortium (with participation from Coinbase and Circle). USDC is also pegged to the U.S. dollar and fully backed by reserves. Due to transparent reporting and compliance with regulatory norms, USDC has gained widespread adoption among institutional investors and has become the second-largest stablecoin globally (capitalization of around $60 billion).
- XRP (Ripple) – a cryptocurrency used in the Ripple payment network for fast interbank and international transfers. XRP is known for its high transaction speeds and low fees. In 2025, interest in XRP increased due to the legal clarity of the token's status: a favorable outcome in the legal dispute in the U.S. boosted market confidence. This allowed XRP to reclaim its place among the leaders (current price around $2.5, capitalization ~ $140 billion) and re-enter the top 5 cryptocurrencies.
- Solana (SOL) – one of the fastest-growing blockchain projects offering high transaction processing speeds and smart contract support. Solana attracts developers of decentralized applications and competes with Ethereum in the DeFi and NFT spheres, while also providing lower fees. SOL has secured its place in the top 10 thanks to the rapid growth of its ecosystem and investor optimism regarding the network's technical advantages (capitalization of around $80 billion).
- Cardano (ADA) – a blockchain platform focusing on a scientific approach and technology verification. The Cardano project is known for its gradual implementation of updates and commitment to high reliability. The ADA cryptocurrency is used in the Cardano network for staking and transaction payments. Despite slower development pace, Cardano has a large community and remains one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization (~$28 billion), although its price (around $0.85) has seen moderate growth in 2025.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most famous "meme" token, initially created as a joke but has become a phenomenon in the crypto market. DOGE has not aimed for seriousness; however, due to community support and individual entrepreneurs (such as Elon Musk), its capitalization skyrocketed, and the coin entered the leadership ranks. Currently, Dogecoin continues to be used for micropayments and tips online, remaining a symbol of pop culture in the crypto world (price around $0.18, capitalization ~$26 billion).
- TRON (TRX) – a blockchain platform focused on entertainment and decentralized applications as well as supporting stablecoins. TRON offers high throughput and virtually zero fees, making it popular for issuing and moving stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the TRON network). The TRX token is used for transaction payments and executing smart contracts in the Tron network; the project maintains its lead among industry leaders, particularly in the Asian region (capitalization around $27 billion, price ~$0.30).
Market Prospects at the Beginning of 2026
With the new year approaching, many analysts note that the cryptocurrency market is entering a phase of consolidation and qualitative development following the intense growth of 2025. It is expected that 2026 will proceed under the sign of more stable, gradual growth without extreme price spikes. The foundations laid in the past year — the launch of ETFs, clarification of regulatory frameworks (such as the entry into force of the MiCA regulation in the EU), and technological updates of key blockchains — make the industry more mature and resilient to shocks.
In the short term, market participants will closely monitor the dynamics of institutional capital flows after the holiday lull. If net inflows into crypto funds and ETFs resume in January 2026, it could act as a catalyst for a new phase of price growth. Substantial reserves of stablecoins accumulated in accounts also indicate the potential for a rapid influx of liquidity as soon as sentiments improve. At the same time, macroeconomic factors — including central banks' decisions on interest rates — will remain key to the risk appetite. Cryptocurrencies have become firmly integrated into the global financial landscape in 2025, and their trajectory in 2026 will depend on both internal factors (technology development, regulatory norms implementation) and overall economic conditions.
Thus, as we enter the new year, investors should maintain balanced expectations. The global cryptocurrency market still holds potential for surprises, but current trends indicate its steady maturation. Strengthening infrastructure, growing institutional and community trust, and heightened transparency in the "rules of the game" can lay the groundwork for a new cycle of industry development in 2026. If discipline is upheld and risks are accounted for, crypto investors worldwide are looking to the future with cautious optimism.
