Cryptocurrency News September 16, 2025 — Bitcoin at $115,000 and Altcoin Growth

Cryptocurrency Market Update: September 16, 2025 - Bitcoin Holds at $115K, Ethereum Approaches Record Highs, Altcoins Hit New Milestones. Analysis of the Top 10 Cryptocurrencies and Regulatory Impact on the Market.

At the beginning of the week, the cryptocurrency market is showing a confident momentum. Bitcoin remains near its historical highs, while many altcoins are outpacing it in growth rates. Such cryptocurrency news is attracting the attention of investors from the CIS and around the globe, who are assessing the prospects of the digital asset market against the backdrop of impending regulatory decisions and macroeconomic changes.

Bitcoin Consolidates at Historical Heights

Bitcoin (BTC) has been trading around the $115,000 mark in recent days, only slightly retreating from its record value of approximately $124,000, recorded in August. Attempts to break the $116,000 level encountered profit-taking from a number of large long-term holders. According to blockchain data, some "old" investors (so-called OGs) transferred significant volumes of BTC to exchanges and partially realized profits after the price reached six-figure levels. Nevertheless, institutional interest in Bitcoin remains high: for example, MicroStrategy announced this week that it increased its portfolio to 638,985 BTC by acquiring an additional 525 BTC at approximately $114,500 each. Thus, even at historical highs, Bitcoin continues to be viewed by major players as a long-term asset. The total growth of BTC's price since the beginning of the year exceeds 20%, and many analysts anticipate a traditionally strong fourth quarter, based on past cryptocurrency growth cycles.

Ethereum Approaches Record Highs

Ethereum (ETH) is strengthening near its historical values. The ETH price reached approximately $4,500, which is less than 10% below its record peak (around $4,950, recorded in late August). After a recent correction, Ethereum resumed its upward trajectory; technical indicators (such as Parabolic SAR) indicate an active bullish trend. Large holders ("whales") continue to build their positions in ETH, anticipating outperformance of this asset relative to Bitcoin. Investor confidence in Ethereum is further bolstered by the development of its ecosystem, ranging from network scaling to new DeFi and NFT applications. The proximity of ETH to its historical high is attracting increased market attention, as a successful breakout above the psychologically significant $5,000 level could pave the way for new records.

Altcoin Rally Gathers Momentum

The market capitalization of alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) is rapidly growing, indicating the beginning of a new "alt season." Many major altcoins have set historical records or approached them in 2025, attracting significant capital influx. Among the leaders of growth in recent weeks, the following can be highlighted:

• XRP (Ripple) — reached a new record around $3, surpassing the peaks of 2018 for the first time, on the back of positive news regarding legal proceedings and increased interest in Ripple technology for international payments.
• BNB (Binance Coin) — surged to ~$920, exceeding its previous all-time high; the growth is driven by active usage of Binance Smart Chain and the expansion of the Binance ecosystem.
• Solana (SOL) — climbed to ~$230, returning to levels seen in late 2021. Investors have renewed their confidence in the project following improvements in network stability and significant investments in the Solana ecosystem.
• TRON (TRX) — rose to ~$0.34, setting a new historical peak. This was fueled by high demand for stablecoins on the TRON blockchain and the wide adoption of the network in the Asian region.
• Cardano (ADA) — surpassed the $0.85 mark, demonstrating a resurgence of interest in the Cardano smart contract platform after a prolonged period of consolidation. Gradual technological updates are strengthening community trust in ADA's long-term prospects.

The rapid growth of altcoins has reduced Bitcoin's share of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization to ~57% (down from ~65% in mid-year). The total market capitalization of digital currencies has nearly approached $4 trillion, reflecting the rising appetite of investors for risk assets in the cryptocurrency market.

Meme Cryptocurrencies: Volatility and New Products

High-risk "meme" cryptocurrencies, such as Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), are experiencing increased volatility in mid-September. After recent increases, DOGE corrected by about 10% in one day, while SHIB fell by 6%. This is attributed to profit-taking and the redistribution of investor funds favoring larger altcoins. However, even amid corrections, the penetration of meme tokens into traditional finance continues. Specifically, a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on a basket of meme cryptocurrencies has emerged, bringing Dogecoin and similar assets closer to Wall Street. The launch of such an ETF indicates a demand for new ways to invest in this segment, although the volatility of these assets remains exceedingly high.

Institutional Interest and Crypto Firms Going Public

Interest from large investors in cryptocurrencies continues to grow. Beyond direct investments in Bitcoin by companies (with MicroStrategy being just one example), traditional financial players are eager to offer crypto products to their clients. Several crypto firms have announced plans to go public: for example, the Gemini exchange and the blockchain fintech firm Figure Technologies are preparing for IPOs this fall, while several companies (Circle, Bullish, etc.) have already successfully raised capital through public equity placements in 2025. Institutional involvement is also reflected in the launch of new crypto funds and exchange-traded products targeting digital assets. The inflow of capital from professional investors enhances market liquidity and contributes to its gradual maturation.

Macro-Economics and Regulation

Several external factors are influencing market sentiment:

• U.S. Federal Reserve Policy: The U.S. central bank may lower its interest rate as early as September, which would create more favorable conditions for risk assets. Expectations of monetary policy easing are reflected in the market: lower bond yields make investments in Bitcoin and other crypto assets more attractive for investors.
• Launch of Crypto ETFs: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reviewing applications for the launch of numerous crypto ETFs, including funds based on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and specific altcoins (Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, etc.). Approval of such products could attract new institutional capital and expand investment opportunities in cryptocurrencies through traditional exchange instruments.
• European Regulation: A unified regulatory framework for the industry (MiCA regulation) is coming into effect in the European Union. Regulators in several EU countries are already calling for enhanced oversight of the industry under the new rules. Increased governmental attention to the crypto market aims to enhance transparency and protect investors, which could strengthen trust in digital assets in the long term.
• Bitcoin Halving Cycle: After the planned reduction of miner rewards in spring 2024 (halving), Bitcoin historically reaches new price peaks within 12–18 months. The year 2025 falls within this post-halving period, and many anticipate that reduced BTC supply amid steady demand will drive market growth in this cycle.

Collectively, these factors form the macroeconomic and regulatory backdrop against which investors evaluate the prospects for cryptocurrencies in the second half of 2025.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency (~$115,000 per BTC). Bitcoin serves as "digital gold" with a market capitalization of approximately $2.3 trillion and has set a new historical high in 2025, reinforcing its role as a barometer for the entire cryptocurrency market.
2. Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest digital asset by market capitalization (~$4,500, with a market cap of around $550 billion). The smart contract platform underpinning DeFi and NFT ecosystems; ETH has approached its record price level, reflecting the high demand for the Ethereum network.
3. Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar (1 USDT = $1). Issued by Tether and backed by fiat currency reserves; market cap ~ $80 billion. USDT provides high liquidity in the market, serving as the primary medium for transactions between cryptocurrencies.
4. Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and its blockchain platform BNB Chain (~$917 per coin). BNB is used for fee payments and in smart contracts within the Binance ecosystem; its market cap (~$145 billion) positions it among the market leaders, and the price reached a new record in 2025 amid platform growth.
5. XRP (Ripple) – the token of the Ripple payment network for bank transfers (≈$3.0). In 2025, XRP reached a historical maximum amid positive outcomes from legal proceedings and expanded adoption of Ripple technology by banks; the market value of the token exceeded $170 billion.
6. USD Coin (USDC) – the second most significant stablecoin, issued by the Centre consortium (including Circle and Coinbase). USDC is backed by dollar reserves (1 USDC = $1) and has a market cap of around $50 billion. It is widely used in trading and DeFi, distinguished by its transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
7. Solana (SOL) – a high-speed blockchain platform (L1) for smart contracts and applications (~$233). SOL attracts DeFi and NFT projects due to low fees and scalability; in 2025, the price of SOL significantly increased (market capitalization > $100 billion), recovering after a decline in 2022.
8. Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most well-known "meme" cryptocurrency created as a joke (≈$0.26). Despite its ironic origin, DOGE ranks among the top 10 with a market cap of approximately $40 billion and enjoys demand from retail investors. In 2025, even ETF products focused on Dogecoin appeared, reflecting interest in this asset in traditional markets.
9. TRON (TRX) – a platform for decentralized applications and content (~$0.34). The TRON network is widely used for issuing stablecoins (including USDT) and cross-border payments; in 2025, TRX reached a historical maximum, and the project's market capitalization grew to ~$30 billion. TRON is popular in the Asian region and continues to expand its ecosystem.
10. Cardano (ADA) – a third-generation blockchain platform with a research-driven approach to development (~$0.86). The Cardano project implements phased technological updates; ADA maintains a place among the top 10 cryptocurrencies (market cap around $30 billion) and steadily rebuilds its positions as the smart contract ecosystem grows.

Market Prospects

Overall sentiment in the cryptocurrency market remains cautiously optimistic in the second half of September. The "Fear and Greed" index for cryptocurrencies fluctuates in the neutral zone, indicating a lack of overheated expectations. Many participants hope for continued upward momentum in the fourth quarter – traditionally the strongest for Bitcoin and altcoins – especially if favorable scenarios materialize (Fed easing, ETF launches, etc.). At the same time, some analysts advise caution: the market may have already priced in positive expectations, so a new growth cycle is not guaranteed. The principle of "buy the rumor, sell the news" reminds us that profit-taking and corrections may occur following the release of much-anticipated positive news.

However, compared to previous cycles, the cryptocurrency industry has matured. The presence of institutional players is increasing, the regulatory environment is becoming clearer, and infrastructure is improving (ETFs, banks, custody services). All of this enhances trust in digital assets. Despite maintaining high volatility, the cryptocurrency market will continue to attract investors, offering new opportunities for capital growth in a changing economic landscape.