Current Cryptocurrency News as of September 12, 2025: Bitcoin Surpasses $115,000 Amid Soft Inflation, Ethereum Approaches $5,000, Altcoin Rally Gains Momentum, Record Institutional Capital Inflow, Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies.
As of the morning of September 12, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is showing a robust increase against a backdrop of positive macroeconomic signals. Bitcoin is once again climbing towards its peak values, surpassing the $115,000 mark following the release of data indicating a slowdown in inflation in the United States. Improved macro conditions and expectations of an imminent Fed rate cut are fueling investors' appetite for risk assets. At the same time, major altcoins led by Ethereum are steadily climbing; many coins in the top ten have increased in price by between 3% and 7% in recent days. Institutional investors continue to increase their positions in digital assets, reflected in record capital inflows into crypto funds. The total market capitalization has approached $4.1 trillion, while industry regulation is becoming clearer and more favorable, enhancing market participant confidence.
Bitcoin Rallying on Rate Cut Expectations
The flagship cryptocurrency Bitcoin (BTC) is trading around $115,000, gaining a new growth impulse from external factors. According to recent data, inflation in the United States was lower than expected (the PPI index decreased for the first time in several months), which intensified expectations for easing monetary policy. Investors are pricing in nearly a 90% probability that the Federal Reserve will reduce the base rate at its upcoming meeting on September 17. These forecasts are attracting funds into risk assets, and Bitcoin, as "digital gold," is enjoying increased demand. Consequently, over the last week, BTC has risen approximately 5%, crossing the important threshold of $113–114,000 and temporarily settling above $115,000.
Analysts note that the current bullish trend of Bitcoin is supported by a combination of macroeconomic and regulatory drivers. In the U.S., a cryptocurrency-friendly agenda remains in place: the Donald Trump administration earlier this year allowed digital assets to be included in 401(k) retirement plans and initiated the creation of a national strategic reserve of bitcoins. These steps have significantly boosted institutional investors' confidence in the industry. Additionally, major public companies continue to buy BTC — for example, MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, is increasing its holdings, indicating long-term institutional interest in Bitcoin.
Currently, Bitcoin's market capitalization exceeds $2.3 trillion, accounting for approximately 58% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization. The nearest goal for bulls is to surpass the psychological level of $120,000; confident突破 of this level, according to several analysts, would pave the way for new records in the range of $130–140,000. On the other hand, the strong support zone is the range of $109–110,000: in the event of a correction, buy orders are concentrated there, and bulls will strive to keep the price above $110,000.
Ethereum on the Path to New Highs
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH), continues to grow steadily, following Bitcoin's lead. During the recent rally, the price of Ethereum rose to around $4,400, coming closer to its historical peak ($4,890 set in November 2021) for the first time in several years. As of September 12, Ether is trading around $4,450, having strengthened by approximately 6% over the week. Ethereum continues to account for around 13% of the total market capitalization, remaining the largest altcoin and a foundational platform for numerous decentralized applications (DeFi, NFT, etc.).
The high investor interest in Ethereum is supported by expectations for the launch of the first spot ETF on Ether in the U.S. In 2025, the first spot funds for Bitcoin were approved, and now market attention is shifting towards Ethereum. In recent days, there have been significant capital inflows into Ether-related investment products: industry analysts report that just between September 10 and 11, the total capital inflow into Ethereum funds exceeded $500 million. Institutional investors are actively positioning themselves in anticipation of a possible SEC decision regarding a spot ETF on ETH. Additional positive developments for the ecosystem have stemmed from advancements in Layer 2 solutions: this week saw the launch of the Linea token — a new scalable blockchain (L2) from ConsenSys, indicating ongoing technological progress within the Ethereum network.
Altcoins on the Rise: Signs of a New "Alt Season"
The broader altcoin market is demonstrating outperformance, indicating the onset of what is now referred to as an "alt season." In recent days, the total capitalization of all altcoins (excluding BTC) has grown to approximately $1.8 trillion, reflecting new capital inflows into the sector. Bitcoin's share of the total capitalization has decreased to around 57–58% (from about 60% a month ago), as investors redirect a portion of their capital into major altcoins. The "Altcoin Season Index" from the Blockchain Center has risen to 71 out of 100 — nearing the threshold of 75, after which a full-fledged alt season can be declared, where most of the top 50 altcoins outperform BTC in growth.
Several leading alternative coins are nearing their record values. Solana (SOL) surged above $220, reaching its highest level in recent years amidst fresh enthusiasm. Binance Coin (BNB) set a new historic record, climbing above $900 due to high demand from users within the Binance ecosystem. Ripple (XRP) continues to hold around the $3.00 mark, which is its long-term high, achieved after Ripple's victory in court against the SEC, effectively confirming the legal status of the token in the U.S. Other platform tokens are also showing strong growth: for instance, Cardano (ADA) has closely approached the psychological level of $1.0, having significantly strengthened over the past month. The rapid rise of many altcoins is accompanied by a decline in Bitcoin's dominance — a classic sign of the beginning of an alt season, where capital flows from BTC into riskier assets.
Experts caution that while solid fundamentally driven projects are emerging within the altcoin segment, speculative low-liquidity tokens are also gaining traction. Amidst the general market uptrend, some lesser-known coins are registering double-digit percentage increases, which may indicate overheating in certain niches. Investors are advised to exercise selectivity when choosing altcoins, favoring projects with real value and being aware of the heightened market volatility during alt seasons.
Solana and Cardano Rise on ETF Expectations
Of particular note are Solana and Cardano — top 10 projects that have recently emerged as growth leaders due to expectations surrounding the launch of new investment products. Thus, Solana (SOL) has increased by more than 20% in the first half of September, largely due to news about the prospects of the first spot ETF on Solana in the U.S. The major investment firm Franklin Templeton has submitted an application to the SEC to launch a Solana ETF, and although the regulator recently postponed its decision until November, analysts estimate the chances of approval by the end of the year are above 80%. These expectations are fueling interest from major players in SOL: investment funds are recording inflows, and the token price is reaching multi-year highs.
Cardano (ADA) is also demonstrating an upward trend, fueled by similar factors. In August, Grayscale registered a trust based on Cardano, planning to eventually convert it into an ETF, while the NYSE Arca has submitted a request to the SEC for the listing of a spot fund tracking ADA. Against this backdrop, Cardano's price has increased by about 30% over the past month, pushing its market capitalization over $30 billion. Currently, ADA is trading around $0.95–1.00 and is attempting to break through the significant $1 level. Observers believe that a confident breakthrough above $1 will pave the way for further growth for the token. Investors continue to hold ADA in anticipation of regulatory decisions: the likelihood of launching an ETF on Cardano is considered very high, which could attract significant new capital to the project.
Institutional Investments Hit Record Levels
One of the key trends of 2025 is the rapid increase in institutional involvement in the cryptocurrency market. The emergence of regulated investment products — primarily spot Bitcoin ETFs (since the beginning of 2024) — has opened the doors to digital assets for major Wall Street players. In the third quarter of 2025, record capital inflows into crypto funds are evident: combined, American Bitcoin ETFs attracted around $120 billion in new investments during the summer months. The flagship fund — Bitcoin Trust from BlackRock (IBIT) — has accumulated over $85 billion in assets under management, showcasing a virtually unyielding influx of resources.
In early September, institutional investors became more active in the wake of a market correction and favorable macro news. According to CME FedWatch and industry trackers, from September 10 to 11, about $750 million flowed into spot Bitcoin ETFs over two days, while Ether funds attracted more than $170 million. Meanwhile, several hedge funds and investment companies used the price correction at the end of August to increase their crypto positions, viewing this as an opportunity to enter at lower prices before a potential market upsurge. Overall, by the end of 2025, the total volume of institutional investments in digital assets may for the first time exceed the figures for traditional investments in commodity assets, emphasizing a shift in priorities within the global investment community.
The range of available instruments for institutions is also expanding: besides BTC and ETH, regulators are reviewing applications for the launch of ETFs based on other cryptocurrencies (XRP, Solana, Cardano, etc.). In Europe, the unified regulatory framework MiCA came into effect in January 2025, providing legal certainty for the cryptocurrency business. In the U.S., laws regarding stablecoins and the classification of digital assets (the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act) are advancing, cumulatively creating a more transparent operating environment for traditional finance in the crypto space. All these steps are stimulating the inflow of "smart money" and enhancing confidence in cryptocurrencies as a full-fledged asset class.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
The rapid rise in prices at the beginning of September is accompanied by increased volatility and heightened emotions in the market. The Cryptocurrency Fear & Greed Index is currently at 72 out of 100, indicating a state of "greed." This suggests that investor sentiment is predominantly optimistic; however, it is approaching a zone of potential overbuying. For comparison, a month ago, the index was around 60 points — the increase reflects the heightened confidence of traders. Experts note that such high levels of the index are often observed before local pullbacks: market participants may start taking profits, particularly if any alarming news arises.
Data from derivatives exchanges confirm the increased risk of sharp movements. During price spikes, there is a mass closure of margin positions: for example, when Bitcoin broke above $113,000, a "cascade" of short-position liquidations amounting to over $400 million was recorded — bearish bets from traders were automatically closed, accelerating the price rise. At the same time, a slight decline of BTC below $114,000 affected long positions: over a day, liquidated long contracts exceeded $300 million, vividly demonstrating the risk associated with trading with high leverage. Consequently, volatility has increased temporarily: according to the BVOL index, it is currently 15% above average monthly levels. Specialists recommend that investors exercise caution: in a bullish market, it is crucial to manage risks and be prepared for potential sharp price fluctuations.
Forecasts and Expectations
Despite the impressive growth of cryptocurrencies in recent months, many analysts agree that the market has not yet exhausted its potential for further upward movement. The investment bank Standard Chartered recently updated its mid-term forecast, anticipating a Bitcoin target of around $200,000 by the end of 2025 and approximately $7,500 for Ethereum — that is, a projected growth multiple from current levels. Similar sentiments are echoed by some crypto funds: for instance, analysts at Tephra Digital suggest that if the historical correlation between Bitcoin and the M2 money supply and gold holds, BTC could reach $170–180,000 by early 2026. Even more conservative experts concede that declining inflation and possible rate cuts create uniquely favorable conditions for the continuation of the crypto rally.
Of course, the further development of the situation will depend on various factors: regulatory actions, macroeconomic conditions, and investors' sentiments. Some specialists indicate that after such rapid growth, the market could enter a consolidation phase — this is a healthy process of profit-taking and building a new buyer base before the next stage of growth. Nevertheless, the overall trend for the second half of 2025 is regarded as positive. Some veterans of the crypto industry characterize the current cycle as a "supercycle" — pointing to the formation of reversal patterns on long-term charts and expressing confidence that in the coming quarters we will see new historical highs. In retrospect, last year's forecasts have largely been fulfilled: for example, the Pantera Capital fund predicted Bitcoin's price at around $120,000 by August 2025 — this level has practically been reached. Market participants are now keenly observing how plausible bold targets of $150,000–200,000 for BTC will be.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of September 12, 2025, the top ten largest and most popular cryptocurrencies by market capitalization are as follows:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $115,000, close to its record values; the market capitalization is approximately $2.3 trillion (≈58% of the entire market). Bitcoin retains its status as "digital gold" and a sentiment indicator for the entire crypto market.
- Ethereum (ETH) – the leading altcoin and platform for smart contracts. The price of ETH is around $4,450, approaching historical highs; the capitalization is approximately $540 billion (≈13% of the market). Ethereum serves as the base for DeFi, NFTs, and numerous applications, solidifying its position at #2.
- Ripple (XRP) – the token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border settlements. XRP is trading near $3.10; market capitalization is ~ $170 billion. Investors are positively assessing the legal clarity of XRP's status in the U.S., which has restored the token's position in the top three.
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar 1:1. USDT is used for trading and hedging, with a capitalization of about $160 billion; the coin maintains a stable price of $1.00.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and the native token of the BNB Chain. The price of BNB surpassed $900, setting a new historic high; its capitalization is more than $120 billion. Despite regulatory pressure on Binance, the token remains in the top five due to its wide applicability on the exchange and in DeFi.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications. SOL is trading around $220 per coin (capitalization ~$110 billion), returning to levels last seen at the end of 2021. Interest in Solana is fueled by expectations of ETF launches and the growth of its project ecosystem.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second-largest stablecoin backed by dollar reserves (Circle). The price of USDC is supported at $1.00, with a capitalization of approximately $65 billion. USDC is widely used by institutional investors and DeFi protocols due to its transparent reserves.
- Cardano (ADA) – a blockchain platform with a focus on a scientific approach to development. ADA is priced around $0.95 (capitalization ~$32 billion) following a recent price surge. Cardano is attracting attention due to plans to launch its own ETF and an active community that believes in long-term growth for the project.
- TRON (TRX) – a platform for smart contracts and multimedia dApps, popular in Asia. TRX is trading around $0.34; market value ~ $31 billion. TRON maintains its presence in the top 10, partly due to its use for issuing stablecoins (a large portion of USDT circulates on the TRON blockchain).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most famous meme cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke. DOGE remains near $0.21 (capitalization ~$31 billion), supported by community loyalty and periodic celebrity attention. While Dogecoin's volatility is high, it remains among the top ten coins, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest.
The Cryptocurrency Market on the Morning of September 12, 2025
- Major Cryptocurrency Prices: Bitcoin (BTC) — $115,500; Ethereum (ETH) — $4,430; XRP — $3.10; BNB — $920; Solana (SOL) — $220; Cardano (ADA) — $0.96.
- Market Indicators: total cryptocurrency market capitalization ~ $4.05 trillion; Bitcoin's share – 57.8%; Fear & Greed Index – 72 (greed).
- Daily Change Leaders: Growth – Mantle (MNT) +18%; Decline – Conflux (CFX) -7%.
- Analysis: Bitcoin and Ethereum are holding steady near their achieved levels, signaling temporary stabilization following the rally. The sentiment index is in the "greed" zone, yet noticeably below extreme levels, indicating a potential cooling of euphoria. The growth leader Mantle (a new L2 network token) reflects increased investor interest in promising technologies, while the decline of Conflux (CFX) is associated with profit-taking or a lack of new positive drivers for this project. Overall, the market maintains an optimistic outlook, although volatility remains heightened — it is crucial for investors to adopt a measured strategy under such conditions.
