Cryptocurrency News, Saturday, September 20, 2025: Bitcoin Storms Toward $120,000, Altcoin Rally, and Record Institutional Investments
As of the morning of September 20, 2025, the cryptocurrency market maintains a steady upward trend amid positive news. Bitcoin has once again approached the psychological threshold of $120,000, pushing the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies above $4.2 trillion. Major altcoins, including Ethereum, are showing leading growth: many of the top 10 digital assets have gained double-digit percentages in recent days. Investors remain optimistic following the recent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve, anticipating an influx of additional liquidity into the markets. Additional momentum to sentiment is provided by record institutional capital inflows through exchange-traded crypto funds, increasing integration of stablecoins by major corporations, and a gradual easing of regulatory pressure.
Bitcoin Aiming for New Heights
Bitcoin (BTC) continues to trade near record levels, consolidating around $119,000 to $120,000. In the first half of September, BTC gained approximately 10%, which is atypical for a month that is usually quiet for cryptocurrencies. The current price is more than double the peak of the previous cycle in 2021, with Bitcoin's market capitalization (~$2.4 trillion) comparable to the largest global corporations. Despite some early investors partially taking profits at these levels, interest from major players remains high. For instance, MicroStrategy has once again increased its crypto holdings, bringing its total to nearly 640,000 BTC. The sustained demand from institutional investors even at near-maximum prices underscores Bitcoin’s role as a long-term reserve asset. Since the start of the year, BTC has risen more than 20%, and many analysts expect a traditionally strong fourth quarter. The market is now closely watching whether Bitcoin can definitively breach the crucial $120,000 mark to pave the way for new historical highs.
Ethereum Approaches $5,000
Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest crypto asset by market capitalization, is following Bitcoin's upward trajectory. ETH has nearly reached the $4,800 mark, less than 5% below its all-time high (~$4,950, recorded at the end of August). After the summer correction, Ethereum is gaining height again: technical indicators suggest a solid bullish trend. Large holders ("whales") continue to accumulate positions, expecting Ethereum to outpace BTC in growth. Institutional interest is further stimulated by the recent launches of the first spot ETFs on Ethereum in the U.S., through which major investors are actively investing in this asset. Industry estimates indicate that the total assets under management for Ether-ETFs have already surpassed $30 billion, and on some days, fund inflows into ETH reach $400–500 million. The shrinking supply of coins on exchanges amid such investments creates upward pressure on the price. The proximity of Ethereum to the landmark $5,000 level is attracting increasing attention: a breakthrough above this psychological barrier could trigger a new wave of growth for the smart contract platform.
Altcoins and the "Altseason" on the Rise
Broad growth has swept across nearly the entire sector of major alternative cryptocurrencies, allowing for talk of a continuing "altseason." Bitcoin's share of the total market capitalization has decreased to ~56–57% (down from ~65% in the middle of the year), reflecting a capital influx into altcoins in search of higher returns. Many leading altcoins are hitting multi-year highs or are close to them:
- Binance Coin (BNB) has increased by more than 15% in recent weeks, surpassing $960 for the first time. BNB is currently trading around $1000, with a market cap of approximately $150 billion. The rise is linked to positive news surrounding the Binance exchange: investors anticipate a reduction in regulatory risks and note the potential return of Changpeng Zhao to active management of the company.
- XRP (Ripple) has strengthened to ~$3.00—levels not seen since the beginning of 2018. XRP's market value has reached ~$180 billion, returning the token to the top three market leaders. The growth is supported by legal clarity: following Ripple's victory in its case against the SEC, investor confidence in XRP has noticeably increased, and banks are increasingly testing the use of the RippleNet network for international payments.
- Solana (SOL) has risen in price to ~$240, approaching record levels from late 2021. SOL’s market cap exceeds $130 billion, placing it among the five largest crypto assets. Investors have renewed confidence in Solana after resolving previous technical issues: in 2025, the network is stable, and major investment funds are actively buying SOL, expecting further growth of the ecosystem built on its foundation.
- TRON (TRX) has surged to ~$0.35, hitting a historical high. TRX's market capitalization is nearing $30 billion. The TRON network is widely used for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on this blockchain platform) and for fast, low-cost transactions, particularly popular in Asia. TRX's rise reflects high demand for these services and an influx of new users.
- Cardano (ADA) has surpassed the $0.90 mark (market cap around $32 billion), gradually regaining lost ground. Over the past few weeks, ADA has gained over 10%, indicating a return of interest in the Cardano platform. As technical updates are progressively implemented, community confidence in the project’s long-term prospects is strengthening.
Notable activity is also seen among more speculative crypto assets. Meme tokens are displaying increased volatility amid the overall rally: Dogecoin (DOGE), the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, has increased by approximately 20% over the past week and is holding around $0.27. Although there has been a slight pullback for DOGE and Shiba Inu (SHIB) due to profit-taking, retail investor interest remains high. Remarkably, the segment of meme coins has even seen the launch of the first exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on a basket of meme tokens, bridging them closer to traditional finance. Overall, the widespread altcoin rally confirms the growing risk appetite among investors and the desire to diversify investments beyond Bitcoin.
Institutional Investments Hit Record Highs
The powerful influx of institutional capital into digital assets remains one of the key drivers of the current market surge. Recent data shows record activity in the market for exchange-traded crypto funds (ETFs). In the first half of September alone, total net inflows into spot Bitcoin-ETFs exceeded $3 billion. Major funds from leading managers—such as BlackRock (IBIT) and Fidelity (FBTC)—are attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in investments daily. The total volume of assets under management for all Bitcoin-ETFs is now estimated to exceed $150 billion, accounting for about 6–7% of the entire Bitcoin market capitalization. Just a couple of years ago, this level of institutional participation seemed unthinkable, but in 2025, it has become a reality and supports ongoing demand for cryptocurrency No. 1.
Funds focused on Ethereum are not lagging behind: since the launch of the first spot Ether-ETFs last summer, investors have been actively reallocating a portion of their capital into Ethereum as well. Analysts estimate that on certain days, inflows into ETH funds reach over $400 million, and billions of dollars have flowed into Ethereum products since the beginning of the year. Rising institutional involvement strengthens the legitimacy of the crypto market and helps reduce volatility as a significant portion of coins is concentrated on fund balances and withdrawn from circulation. Moreover, traditional financial institutions are also exhibiting growing interest in the crypto sector: an increasing number of large banks and hedge funds are offering their clients products related to cryptocurrencies. Amid falling interest rates and limited returns on traditional assets, investment firms see Bitcoin and Ethereum as means to enhance overall portfolio returns while diversifying risks. The institutional foundation of the market has significantly strengthened by 2025, creating more stable conditions for the further development of the industry.
Regulation: Global Progress
In many jurisdictions, authorities continue to develop clear rules for working with cryptocurrencies, which reduces uncertainty for market participants. In the U.S. this spring, the first spot exchange-traded funds for Bitcoin and Ethereum were approved, and a framework law on stablecoins was passed—these steps significantly eased access for institutional investors to digital assets under regulatory oversight. In the European Union, comprehensive MiCA regulation is coming into force, introducing unified rules for the crypto industry across all EU countries. Even in countries that previously imposed strict restrictions on private cryptocurrencies, gradual progress is being observed. For instance, China is launching pilot projects with tokenized assets with state support through its financial hub Hong Kong, while Russia is experimenting with the issuance of a digital ruble and allowing certain international settlements in cryptocurrency (while maintaining a ban on the free circulation of private crypto assets within the country). The formation of a regulatory framework in major jurisdictions—the U.S., EU, China, and Russia—lowers legal risks and increases trust among large investors. At the same time, regulators continue to monitor the industry closely: for example, a new package of EU sanctions affects cryptocurrency transactions, emphasizing authorities’ efforts to curb the unlawful use of digital currencies. Nevertheless, the global regulatory climate in 2025 has become significantly clearer and more favorable, facilitating further institutionalization of the crypto industry.
Technological Integration: Stablecoins and Fintech
Major corporations continue to embrace blockchain technologies, especially in the field of stablecoins. Google has announced the launch of an experimental open payment protocol that allows automatic settlements between software agents using stablecoins. The project involved specialists from Coinbase, the Ethereum Foundation, and over 60 partners, including American Express and Etsy. The new protocol will enable software "agents"—for example, a trading AI application and a virtual seller—to safely and instantly conduct mutual settlements with each other. The system supports both traditional payment methods (bank cards) and digital currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar. The interest of tech giants in stablecoins is attributed to their potential to reduce costs and accelerate international payments. Alongside Google, several leaders in the IT industry (including Apple and the X platform) are exploring the integration of stablecoins into their payment services in 2025.
Fintech companies are also expanding cryptocurrency services, making digital money more familiar in everyday life. For example, the payment system PayPal this week launched a feature allowing cryptocurrency transfers between users of its app. PayPal account holders can now send each other Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the new proprietary PayPal USD (PYUSD) stablecoin, simplifying the use of cryptocurrency in transactions. The expanded functionality by major players like PayPal demonstrates rising customer demand for transactions involving crypto assets. Overall, the engagement of the tech and financial sectors in cryptocurrency adoption enhances their mainstream acceptance and creates new use cases, supporting long-term demand for digital assets.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of September 20, 2025, the top ten largest and most popular cryptocurrencies by market capitalization are:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency, often referred to as "digital gold." BTC is trading around $119,000; market capitalization exceeds $2.3 trillion. Bitcoin serves as the main indicator of the cryptocurrency market’s state, has a limited issuance of 21 million coins, and in 2025, set a new all-time high, strengthening its role as a reserve asset for institutional investors.
- Ethereum (ETH) – the second largest digital asset by market capitalization and a leading platform for smart contracts. The price of ETH is approximately $4,800; its market cap is around $580 billion. Ethereum underpins decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and numerous blockchain applications. Currently, Ether is close to its peak price level, reflecting strong demand for services on the Ethereum network.
- XRP (Ripple) – the token for the Ripple payment network for cross-border banking settlements. XRP is trading around $3.00, and its market value is ~ $180 billion. In 2025, XRP reached its highest values in several years due to a positive outcome in legal disputes in the U.S. and increased use of RippleNet technology by banks. The token secured its place back in the top three market leaders.
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar (1 USDT = $1.00). Issued by Tether and backed by fiat currency reserves; current market cap is around $170 billion. USDT provides high liquidity on crypto exchanges, serves as a primary means of settlements between various cryptocurrencies, and is widely used by traders to hedge against volatility.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and its blockchain platform BNB Chain. BNB is priced at approximately $1,000; its market cap is about $150 billion. The token is used for paying exchange fees, as well as in smart contracts and applications within the Binance ecosystem. In 2025, BNB set a new all-time high amidst increased activity on the platform and expanded use cases for the coin, despite regulatory pressure on Binance.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second most significant stablecoin, issued by the Centre consortium (including companies Circle and Coinbase). USDC’s price holds steady at $1.00, with a market capitalization of around $70 billion. USD Coin is fully backed by U.S. dollar reserves and is considered one of the most reliable stablecoins due to transparent reporting and regulatory support. It is widely used by institutional investors and in DeFi protocols for settlements and capital storage.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-speed layer one blockchain platform that competes with Ethereum. SOL is priced around $240; its market cap exceeds $130 billion. Solana attracts developers of decentralized applications due to its high network throughput and low fees. In 2025, SOL significantly increased in value, recovering from the downturn in 2022, and entered the ranks of the largest crypto assets.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most recognized meme cryptocurrency, initially created for fun but has become a phenomenon. DOGE holds around $0.27; its market cap is about $40 billion. Despite its ironic origin, Dogecoin firmly remains in the top ten, largely due to its dedicated community and support from well-known entrepreneurs. In 2025, even ETF products focused on DOGE emerged, indicating interest from the traditional market.
- Cardano (ADA) – a third-generation blockchain platform that develops updates from a scientific approach. ADA is priced around $0.95; its market cap is ~ $32 billion. The Cardano project is gradually implementing new features, placing particular emphasis on code reliability. ADA remains among the top ten largest coins and is used for staking, fee payment within the network, and governance participation. The gradual development of the Cardano ecosystem is contributing to the recovery of ADA’s price after a prolonged consolidation.
- TRON (TRX) – a blockchain platform for smart contracts and digital content, popular in Asia. TRX is trading around $0.35; its market cap is approximately $30 billion. The TRON network is widely used for issuing stablecoins (a large share of USDT circulates on this network) and for fast payments. In 2025, TRX reached a historic high, reflecting increased network activity and investor confidence.
Market Outlook
Sentiment in the cryptocurrency market for the second half of September remains predominantly optimistic, although euphoria is still a distance away. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index is in the moderate greed zone (around 60 out of 100 points), indicating a predominance of positive expectations while maintaining a degree of caution. Many market participants are anticipating a continuation of the rally in the fourth quarter—historically the strongest period for Bitcoin and altcoin growth. A combination of factors such as the easing of Federal Reserve monetary policy, institutional capital influx, and the integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial sector create a favorable environment for further market capitalization increases.
At the same time, analysts warn of possible corrections after such a rapid rally. The market has partially "priced in" many positive news at current prices, which means that as the anticipated events materialize (for instance, final approvals of new ETFs or additional stimuli from central banks), profit-taking based on the principle of "buy the rumor, sell the news" is not ruled out. History from previous cycles suggests that after reaching new highs, pullbacks of 20–30% are possible, prompting investors to approach risk management with caution. Nevertheless, in comparison to past upward trends, the cryptocurrency industry in 2025 appears more mature. The growing presence of institutional players, the establishment of a clear regulatory framework, and the development of infrastructure (the emergence of exchange-traded funds, banking crypto services, reliable custodians) enhance trust in digital assets among a broader audience. Despite the persisting volatility, the cryptocurrency market is expected to continue its steady development, with digital currencies solidifying their positions as an essential component of the global financial landscape.
