Current Cryptocurrency News as of November 18, 2025: Bitcoin Consolidates Around $100,000, Ethereum Prepares for Network Upgrade, Altcoins Under Pressure, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies and Analyst Predictions for Investors.
As of the morning of November 18, 2025, the global cryptocurrency market is attempting to find balance following recent volatility and correction. Bitcoin has managed to recoup some losses and is trading near the psychologically significant mark of $100,000, maintaining a total cryptocurrency market capitalization of approximately $3.2 trillion. Ethereum holds its current price level in anticipation of a major network upgrade, while the dynamics among altcoins remain uneven. Investors continue to closely monitor macroeconomic signals: the “fear and greed” index sits in the “fear” zone (approximately 25-30 points), reflecting cautious sentiment. In this context, the focus is on whether Bitcoin can sustain its position in the six-figure price bracket and whether an improvement in sentiment will trigger a new rally in the altcoin market.
Bitcoin: The Fight for a Psychological Threshold
The flagship cryptocurrency Bitcoin (BTC) experienced an impressive rise to a new all-time high (approximately $125,000) in October, followed by an expected correction. Last week, pressure on BTC peaked, with the price briefly falling to around $95,000, breaking the psychological barrier of $100,000 for the first time since May. As we approach the second half of November, Bitcoin is attempting to stabilize and is currently consolidating in the $95,000–$100,000 range, striving to regain its position above this key mark. Bitcoin's market dominance is around 58% of the total capitalization, underscoring its role as the primary indicator of sentiment in the cryptocurrency market. Analysts note that the recent decline was largely driven by a global retreat of investors from risky assets due to signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve regarding the maintenance of high interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty. However, large holders and institutional investors continue to demonstrate confidence: many view the current dip as an opportunity to increase positions in “digital gold” at lower prices. Observers emphasize that the decline of Bitcoin by approximately 25% from its peak represents a healthy correction rather than the end of the market cycle, with some experts identifying the area around $94,000 as the likely “bottom” of this decline. The market is primarily focused on whether Bitcoin can maintain six-figure levels and resume its upward trend by the end of the year, or whether consolidation will extend following the recent rally.
Ethereum: Expectation of a Network Upgrade
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH), is moving in line with overall market trends, holding a price around $3,150 after recovering from early November's lows. In October, the price of Ether reached approximately $3,900 but fell by 15-20% along with Bitcoin, dropping below $3,100 in early November (a multi-month low). Currently, Ethereum has regained some losses and is trading around $3,200, still below its all-time high from 2021 (approximately $4,800). Despite the correction, interest in Ethereum is fueled by anticipation of significant events: a major network upgrade aimed at improving scalability and reducing fees is scheduled for early December. Additionally, there is hope for the approval of the first spot ETF for Ether in the U.S. by the end of the year — this move could attract new institutional capital into ETH. Fundamental metrics for the Ethereum network remain strong: the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem and NFT sector continue to expand, while the transition to Proof-of-Stake and associated improvements have solidified Ethereum’s position as a foundational “digital infrastructure” of the crypto market. If the upgrade is successful and market conditions remain favorable, Ethereum has the potential to regain lost ground and approach new highs.
Altcoins: Mixed Market Dynamics
The altcoin segment in mid-November showcases uneven trends. Many of the largest alternative coins followed Bitcoin downward during the recent correction, but the situation is gradually stabilizing: some altcoins are attempting to recover their losses, while others continue to stagnate. For example, Ripple (XRP) after a sharp rally during the fall (the token briefly exceeded $3 for the first time since 2018 on the back of Ripple's legal victory against the SEC), has retreated and has been hovering around $2.2 in recent days. Despite the drop, XRP remains among the leaders due to improved legal clarity regarding the token's status and interest from financial firms. Binance Coin (BNB), after reaching a record of around $950, decreased to about $900 but maintains a position in the top 5 by capitalization, reflecting its widespread use within the ecosystem of the largest cryptocurrency exchange. High-cap platform tokens, such as Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA), also experienced corrections (SOL fell from around $200 to $130, ADA from $1.00 to $0.50), yet remain in the top tier thanks to active communities and ongoing technological developments. At the same time, speculative niche tokens have plummeted significantly as enthusiasm around meme coins and AI-based projects waned. The Bitcoin dominance index, which soared above 60% during the height of the sell-off, remains elevated (around 58-60%), highlighting investors’ cautious preference for the most reliable assets. However, a careful rotation of capital into certain altcoins appears to be taking shape, yet the overall sentiment in the market remains restrained: participants favor larger, established cryptocurrencies, while high volatility in the altcoin segment emphasizes the need for selectivity and stringent risk management.
Institutional Investors and New Products
Large investors and financial organizations continue to play a significant role in the cryptocurrency market despite recent price fluctuations. The year 2025 has witnessed historic strides in the integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system: the first spot Bitcoin ETFs have begun trading in the U.S. (initiatives from leading firms like BlackRock have drawn billions in a matter of weeks), and similar funds for Ethereum and other digital assets are being prepared for launch. Furthermore, index ETFs covering baskets of several top coins are emerging, simplifying diversification for large investors. New crypto funds continue to be filed for — in mid-November, the first spot ETF for XRP launched in the U.S. (initiated by Canary Capital), underscoring institutional ambitions to expand their presence in digital assets; efforts are also advancing for ETFs tied to Solana and several other coins. Corporations are not being left behind: some public companies and hedge funds have capitalized on falling prices to increase their cryptocurrency reserves, viewing this as a strategic investment opportunity. Analysts stress that the inflow of professional capital is one of the key drivers of the market, providing increased liquidity and bolstering participant confidence.
Regulation: U.S., Europe and Global Trends
The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrencies in 2025 is notably improving, fostering increased trust from investors and businesses. In the United States, authorities are demonstrating a more lenient approach to the industry: Congress is advancing legislation that establishes clear rules for cryptocurrency exchanges and token issuers, while the new leadership at the SEC has softened its rhetoric and withdrawn several lawsuits against major crypto platforms. A landmark event was the pardon granted to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) at the end of October — this move was portrayed by the Trump administration as a signal of openness to compromise and dialogue with the crypto sector. Moreover, high-level discussions are underway regarding initiatives to integrate digital assets into traditional financial instruments: specifically, plans have been announced to allow inclusion of cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement savings plans, opening access to digital assets for millions of retail investors.
In Europe, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation will come into full force by the end of the year, introducing uniform rules for the crypto industry across all EU countries. Dozens of crypto companies have already received licenses under the new requirements, ensuring transparency of operations, stringent standards for stablecoin reserves, and consumer protection. European regulators are concurrently monitoring risks: additional control measures for global stablecoins and decentralized DeFi platforms are being discussed to avert potential threats to financial stability. At the same time, progressive jurisdictions in Asia, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, are actively implementing crypto-friendly regulatory regimes, seeking to attract blockchain businesses and become global crypto hubs. Furthermore, at the G20 summit held last weekend, leaders of the world's largest economies discussed the need for coordinated approaches to oversight of digital assets, confirming that the topic of cryptocurrency regulation has ascended to the international agenda. Collectively, these trends point towards the gradual transformation of cryptocurrencies from a “wild” financial field into a regulated sector of the economy, which in the long term paves the way for the influx of new capital and an expanded participant base in the market.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies Today
- Bitcoin (BTC) — ~$95,000, the first and largest cryptocurrency (~57% of the entire market). BTC acts as the main barometer of the entire crypto market and maintains its status as “digital gold” for long-term investors. Despite the recent correction, Bitcoin has significantly risen since the beginning of the year, with interest driven by both institutional demand and limited issuance (21 million coins).
- Ethereum (ETH) — ~$3,150, the second-largest digital asset (~12% of the market). It serves as the primary platform for smart contracts, powering thousands of decentralized applications (DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, etc.). Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake, its deflationary issuance model, and the upcoming network upgrade bolster confidence in ETH, although its price remains below historical highs.
- Tether (USDT) — ~$1.00, the largest stablecoin with a market capitalization of approximately $160 billion. USDT is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio and is used as the main liquidity “park” on cryptocurrency exchanges. Stablecoins like Tether allow traders and investors to quickly shift funds between platforms and avoid volatility, remaining a cornerstone of the market.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — ~$900, the native token of the Binance ecosystem (ranking in the top 5 by capitalization). BNB is utilized for paying fees on the Binance exchange and for gaining access to additional services (such as participating in the launch of new tokens on the Launchpad platform). Despite regulatory challenges related to Binance’s operations in several countries, the coin retains high positions due to its broad usage and community support.
- USD Coin (USDC) — ~$1.00, the second-largest stablecoin (~$75 billion capitalization). Issued by a consortium of companies led by Circle, it is fully backed by reserves in fiat currency held in bank accounts. USDC enjoys trust from both retail and institutional market participants, often used for settlements and as a means for preserving value within trading strategies.
- XRP (Ripple) — ~$2.2, a token used for cross-border payments within the RippleNet network. Following positive court rulings in 2025, XRP has regained investor trust and briefly surged above $3, marking a record high since 2018. After the correction, XRP remains among the leaders, with a market capitalization still exceeding $90 billion, and banks and fintech companies continue showing interest in Ripple's solutions for expediting international transfers.
- Solana (SOL) — ~$140, a high-performance blockchain platform focused on scalable decentralized applications. SOL saw significant growth in 2025 (although it has retraced from its recent high of ~$200) due to expansion within its ecosystem: the Solana network has attracted projects from DeFi, gaming, and NFT sectors. Institutional interest and the launch of new products (including a potential ETF for SOL) are helping the token remain near multi-year highs.
- Cardano (ADA) — ~$0.50, a blockchain platform for smart contracts known for its academic approach to development. Despite its price being significantly below record levels, ADA remains in the top ten assets due to large capitalization and community support.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — ~$0.16, the most renowned meme cryptocurrency, initially created as a joke. DOGE maintains its position among leaders due to its cult following and periodic attention from high-profile figures, but remains an extremely volatile asset (with a capitalization of about $20 billion).
- TRON (TRX) — ~$0.30, a token of the TRON blockchain platform, which focuses on creating infrastructure for entertainment and digital content. TRX is sought for transactions within the TRON network and stablecoin issuance (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the TRON blockchain). In 2025, TRON has solidified its position: high network throughput and low fees have led to increased utilization, allowing TRX to secure a spot in the top ten by capitalization.
Outlook and Predictions
As 2026 approaches, the cryptocurrency market finds itself in a state of equilibrium between achieved successes and lingering risks. On one hand, the impressive growth of Bitcoin and many altcoins in 2025 has reaffirmed a long-term upward trend: even after the recent correction, most leading assets are trading significantly above levels seen at the start of the year, attracting new investors. The growing institutional presence, emergence of regulated investment products, and gradual clarification of the legal status of cryptocurrencies have created a more mature and resilient ecosystem. This forms a solid foundation for further market expansion: optimists believe that after a phase of consolidation, another price surge is possible. Predictions suggest that in 2026, Bitcoin may breach the $150,000–200,000 threshold, and Ethereum could reach new all-time highs, provided the macroeconomic climate remains favorable and new growth drivers come into play.
On the other hand, short-term risks for the cryptocurrency market persist. Tight monetary policy, delays in technological upgrades, or security incidents (such as major hacks) may temporarily weaken investor confidence. Cautious experts also do not rule out a prolonged pause in price growth if the market lacks new drivers. Therefore, it is crucial for participants to adhere to risk management principles—diversifying assets and focusing on a long-term strategy to confidently navigate potential fluctuations. Nevertheless, the cryptocurrency industry enters 2026 more mature and resilient, instilling moderate optimism regarding its future development.
