Current Cryptocurrency News as of September 17, 2025: Bitcoin Holds Above $115k, Ethereum and Altcoins Continue to Rise, XRP Strengthens Following Victory over SEC. Overview of the Top 10 Cryptocurrencies and Key Regulatory Changes.
The cryptocurrency market maintains an upward trend as we approach the middle of September 2025. The total market capitalization has approached $4.1 trillion, nearly doubling the level from a year ago. Institutional capital inflows and a favorable macroeconomic environment support the demand for crypto-assets. Bitcoin remains above $115,000, while Ethereum is trading around $4,500 following recent record highs. Market participants are cautiously optimistic about potential easing of monetary policy and further integration of digital assets into the traditional financial system.
Bitcoin and Macroeconomics: Holding Steady
The market leader, Bitcoin, is currently trading around $115,000 after reaching an all-time high of approximately $124,000 in August. At the end of summer, the first cryptocurrency experienced a correction of about 10% from its peak, but in September, it has regained some of its losses, strengthening by roughly 7%. This price level is nearly twice that of a year ago, reflecting the high attractiveness of BTC amid limited supply.
A key factor influencing Bitcoin's dynamics is monetary policy. Today, September 17, the U.S. Federal Reserve is set to announce its interest rate decision: a decrease of 0.25% is expected. This step is largely already priced in, shifting attention to comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell regarding future actions. A dovish tone (or a greater rate reduction) could trigger a new rally in risk assets, while an unexpectedly hawkish stance might lead to a short-term correction. Overall, the prospect of rate reductions supports demand for crypto-assets as alternative investment instruments.
The current bullish trend for Bitcoin is also bolstered by incoming institutional capital. A recently approved spot Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. has drawn additional liquidity from traditional markets. Major public companies continue to accumulate BTC as a strategic reserve. For instance, MicroStrategy has accumulated approximately 638,000 BTC (around $47 billion) and remains a steadfast long-term holder, viewing Bitcoin as a digital equivalent to gold.
Ethereum: New Heights and Predictions
Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, reached a new all-time high of around $4,950 at the end of August, surpassing its 2021 peak. The token then experienced a correction of about 9% and is currently holding around $4,500, significantly above last year's levels. Ethereum's growth is supported by high activity in decentralized finance (DeFi) and advancements in network scalability (the development of layer-2 solutions).
Analysts' opinions on Ethereum's future movement are divided. Citi forecasts a moderate decline to around ~$4,300 by the end of the year, suggesting that current prices are partly inflated by hype around layer-2 solutions and tokenization. Conversely, Standard Chartered improved its forecast in August, predicting that the price of Ethereum could rise as high as $7,500 by December. Experts noted the emergence of ETH reserves among some public companies and the expansion of the stablecoin market after new regulations were introduced—these factors, they believe, have significantly strengthened Ethereum's fundamental position.
XRP: Victory over SEC and Token Growth
One of the major events at the end of summer was the resolution of the multi-year dispute between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In August, both parties withdrew their mutual appeals, effectively putting an end to the 2020 case concerning XRP's status. This brought much-needed clarity to cryptocurrency XRP, and the market reacted with a rapid increase: the token surged more than 10% in a single day, exceeding the $3 mark for the first time since 2018. The price peaked at approximately $3.3 (close to the record of $3.84) before correcting to about $3.0. With a market capitalization of approximately ~$180 billion, XRP now stands as the third-largest cryptocurrency, following BTC and ETH.
The removal of legal risks has attracted new investors to XRP—over recent months, trading volumes and the number of large holders of the token have noticeably increased. The Ripple ecosystem actively promotes the use of XRP in cross-border transactions, and with the removal of legal uncertainties, experts view the asset's prospects positively. Some banks anticipate further price growth for XRP: for instance, Standard Chartered suggests that it could reach around $5.5 by the end of the year, considering this token's unique role in international payments.
Altcoin Rally: Solana, Dogecoin, and Others
Alongside the growth of market leaders, there is a notable strengthening in the altcoin segment. The standout is Solana, with the price of SOL soaring to about $240, nearing its historical highs. This high-performance blockchain platform has once again gained the trust of investors. Institutional interest in Solana has surged: the prominent crypto fund Pantera Capital revealed that it holds SOL valued at about ~$1.1 billion, calling Solana the fastest and most scalable chain. This endorsement from industry veterans has fueled the SOL rally, boosting the coin's market capitalization to around ~$130 billion.
The meme token Dogecoin (DOGE) has also caught the spotlight. Its price reached approximately ~$0.26, gaining about 20% over the week. The "people's cryptocurrency" has revitalized on the back of a combination of speculative demand and landmark events. In the U.S., the first exchange-traded fund tied to Dogecoin (ETF with ticker DOJE) has launched—an unprecedented move for a meme token. Additionally, the Dogecoin Foundation has partnered with Bitstamp to provide custodial services for around $175 million in DOGE. These developments signal a growing institutionalization of Dogecoin, even though it largely remains a community-driven currency. Nevertheless, DOGE's market cap (~$40 billion) securely keeps it within the top ten largest cryptocurrencies.
Other leading altcoins continue to strengthen as well. The Binance exchange token BNB has reached a new peak, surpassing $900 per coin. Despite regulatory pressures in certain jurisdictions, investors have shown strong appreciation for the role of BNB within the Binance ecosystem (from commission discounts to projects on the BNB Chain). Additionally, platform cryptocurrencies Tron (TRX) and Cardano (ADA) are also on the rise. TRX is currently around $0.35—a record level; the Tron network is widely used for stablecoin transactions. Cardano (ADA $~0.91) continues its technical development based on Proof-of-Stake, which supports community trust. The overall growth of altcoins reflects an increased appetite for risk among investors seeking potentially higher returns—though such investments traditionally come with greater volatility.
Regulation and Integration into the Financial System
The market's progress in 2025 is largely tied to the emergence of clear "rules of the game" for the industry. In the U.S., a law on stablecoins has been passed, increasing confidence in this sector and establishing requirements for the reserve backing of digital currencies. Against this backdrop, the market capitalization of Tether (USDT) has grown to a record ~$170 billion, while USD Coin (USDC) has recovered to ~$72 billion after a decline in 2024. Clear regulations attract new participants from traditional finance to the sector and foster infrastructure development.
In Europe, the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation is coming into force, which standardizes the approach to crypto-assets across all EU countries. Japan is easing tax regulations for crypto investors in 2025 and is preparing to launch the first stablecoin pegged to the yen. Overall, the global trend is shifting from prohibitions to controlled integration of cryptocurrencies. Regulators are increasingly approving new crypto ETFs, implementing measures against financial fraud, and considering the issuance of their own digital currencies (CBDCs). Enhanced regulation is making the market more transparent and open to institutional investors, although it imposes additional requirements on businesses.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) – largest cryptocurrency (~$115k; market cap ~$2.3 trillion).
- Ethereum (ETH) – second-largest cryptocurrency, smart contract platform (~$4.5k; ~$546 billion).
- XRP (XRP) – token of Ripple's payment network (~$3.0; ~$180 billion).
- Tether (USDT) – largest dollar-pegged stablecoin (price ~$1; ~$170 billion).
- Solana (SOL) – high-speed blockchain platform (~$239; ~$130 billion).
- BNB (BNB) – exchange token of the Binance ecosystem (~$909; ~$126 billion).
- USD Coin (USDC) – second-largest stablecoin ($1; ~$72 billion).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – meme cryptocurrency that has become one of the largest (~$0.26; ~$40 billion).
- Tron (TRX) – popular platform for smart contracts and stablecoins (~$0.35; ~$33 billion).
- Cardano (ADA) – blockchain platform based on a Proof-of-Stake algorithm (~$0.91; ~$32 billion).
Outlook and Sentiment
Investors in the crypto market are adopting a cautiously optimistic stance. The anticipated decrease in interest rates and successful steps towards the crypto industry (launching ETFs, legalizing stablecoins) create conditions for continued market growth. At the same time, external factors—such as tightening monetary policies or technical breakdowns—could temper enthusiasm in the short term. Nonetheless, the long-term trend towards the incorporation of cryptocurrencies into the global financial system is gaining momentum. The industry is maturing and becoming more regulated, with its connection to traditional finance strengthening. This allows for a cautiously optimistic assessment of long-term prospects, provided that risk management is handled wisely.
