Cryptocurrency News December 12, 2025: Bitcoin, Altcoins, Regulations, Institutions

Current Cryptocurrency News as of December 12, 2025: Market Dynamics, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies, Regulatory Changes, Blockchain Technological Updates, Institutional Investments, and Key Industry Events

The global cryptocurrency market continues to exhibit high volatility amid shifting macroeconomic conditions. By the end of the week, the market leader, Bitcoin, dropped below the psychologically significant mark of $90,000 in response to the US Federal Reserve's decision to lower the interest rate. Simultaneously, most altcoins are under pressure as investors realize profits following the vigorous rally in the first half of the year while factoring in new risks. Nevertheless, there are positive signals in the industry: institutional investors are increasing their presence, regulators in key jurisdictions are establishing clearer rules, and technological updates are continually improving blockchain infrastructure. In this article, we will examine the latest trends and news in the cryptocurrency world, from the dynamics of the top 10 coins to regulatory initiatives, technological breakthroughs, institutional inflows, and security measures.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin (BTC): The largest cryptocurrency, accounting for ~58% of the total market. This year, Bitcoin reached a new all-time high above $120,000 in October; however, subsequent correction has brought the price down to approximately $90,000. Despite the volatility, Bitcoin remains the key indicator of sentiment in the crypto market and is referred to as “digital gold” by investors.
Ethereum (ETH): The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and the leading smart contract platform. Ethereum is trading around $3,200, trailing behind its September peaks. The Ethereum network serves as the backbone for DeFi and NFT sectors, and the recently completed Fusaka update has enhanced scalability and reduced fees, strengthening ETH’s market position.
Tether (USDT): The largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. With a market capitalization of approximately $180 billion, USDT remains a key source of liquidity on exchanges, allowing traders to park funds in a stable asset during periods of heightened volatility.
XRP (Ripple Token): A cryptocurrency focused on fast global payments. XRP maintains its position in the top 5 with a market cap of around $120 billion, trading at about $2 per token. Interest in XRP surged in 2025 following favorable legal news: US court proceedings neared resolution, restoring investor confidence and contributing to price increases.
Binance Coin (BNB): The native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. BNB is used for fee payments and participation in the Binance Smart Chain ecosystem. Despite regulatory pressures on Binance in various countries, BNB's value significantly increased this year (hovering around $850), with a market cap of ~$120 billion, keeping it among market leaders.
USD Coin (USDC): The second-largest stablecoin issued by Circle, with a market cap of around $75 to $80 billion. USDC positions itself as a more regulated and transparent stablecoin, widely adopted by institutional investors and on DeFi platforms, although its market share has slightly declined in favor of USDT.
Solana (SOL): A high-performance blockchain aiming for scalability and low fees. SOL has rebounded from the downturn of 2022 and again features in the top ten cryptocurrencies (market cap ~$73 billion, price around $130). Solana's ecosystem attracts dApp developers and traders due to rapid transactions, sustaining demand for SOL.
Tron (TRX): A blockchain platform known for its broad use in stablecoins and decentralized entertainment. TRX is trading at about $0.28 with a market cap of ~$26 billion. The Tron project is actively developing under the leadership of Justin Sun, and the network shows steady transaction growth, aided by the release of stablecoins (with a significant part of USDT's issuance operating on Tron).
Dogecoin (DOGE): The most recognized “meme coin,” which has transformed from a humorous project into a cryptocurrency with a market capitalization exceeding $20 billion. DOGE is trading at around $0.14. Interest in Dogecoin is bolstered by its community and media attention (notably popularized by Elon Musk), though its price remains extremely volatile, reacting to internet trends and speculative demand.
Cardano (ADA): A significant blockchain platform utilizing a Proof-of-Stake algorithm, evolving with a focus on a scientific approach. ADA is priced around $0.40 (market cap ~ $15 billion). In 2025, the Cardano network continued technical updates (for instance, scaling solutions like Hydra); however, ADA's price remains far from historical highs, reflecting fierce competition in the smart contract sector.

Global Market Overview

Overall, global cryptocurrency capitalization hovers around $3 trillion, a figure close to the record levels achieved earlier in the fall. However, in recent weeks the market has been correcting: as of the morning of December 12, the total capitalization has decreased by approximately 3% over 24 hours, with all top 10 coins showing declines. Bitcoin is consolidating around $90,000 after a sharp surge and subsequent pullback, as investors evaluate whether the Fed’s new rate decrease will stimulate growth or signal caution. Notably, traditional stock indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq) reacted positively to the Fed's decision, while crypto assets partially lost value. Analysts note an increasing correlation between Bitcoin and high-tech stocks: in 2025 both markets experienced similar booms and busts in response to sentiment shifts surrounding artificial intelligence and monetary policy.

After a record rally at the beginning of the year (largely fueled by capital inflows on expectations of Bitcoin ETF approval and the change of administration in the United States to a more crypto-friendly stance), the market has faced a period of turbulence. The October drop, caused by unexpected external economic measures from the U.S. (new tariffs and geopolitical tensions), led to the largest liquidation of positions in history, exceeding $19 billion. Since then, Bitcoin and several altcoins have struggled to return to peak values. November marked the most significant monthly price decline since 2021, cooling the optimism of some investors.

Nevertheless, dynamics compared to the beginning of the year remain positive for many crypto assets. Many altcoins, such as XRP and Solana, despite the current downturn, trade significantly above the levels at the end of 2024 due to previously achieved successes (legal clarity for XRP, technological advancements for Solana, etc.). Bitcoin's dominance fluctuates around 55–60%, indicating investors’ willingness to maintain a significant portion of capital in the most reliable digital asset amid market risks. Current market sentiment is characterized by cautious optimism: the “fear and greed” index for cryptocurrencies remains in the moderate fear zone, suggesting that participants are awaiting further signals — from macroeconomic data to advancements on new product launches (ETFs, institutional services) — before resuming a confident upward trend.

Regulatory News

The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in 2025 has significantly clarified, impacting global perceptions of the industry:

USA: Under the new administration, regulators are softening their approach to the crypto industry. In December, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved the launch of exchange-traded spot crypto products for the first time, marking a significant step towards integrating cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system. The new SEC head has expressed intentions to “modernize” the regulatory framework for digital assets while moving away from the previous enforcement-centric strategy. There are also ongoing legislative efforts in Congress regarding stablecoin regulation and investor protection in the crypto market, although final adoption is still pending.
Europe: In the European Union, the comprehensive MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation is coming into force. From June 2024, requirements for stablecoin issuers have been introduced, while rules for crypto exchanges and custodians will take effect in December 2024. In 2025, European companies are actively obtaining licenses under the new rules, creating a uniform and clear framework for crypto business operations across all EU countries. European regulators are also monitoring risks associated with crypto assets and collaborating with global organizations to develop standards (e.g., recommendations from the Financial Stability Board — FSB on crypto asset regulations).
Asia: Major financial centers in the region continue to implement cryptocurrency initiatives. Starting from 2024, Hong Kong allowed retail trading in cryptocurrencies on licensed platforms, attracting exchanges and funds that have shifted from other markets. Singapore is reinforcing its status as a crypto hub through clear licensing and tax requirements while strictly controlling money laundering. In China, the situation remains unchanged: direct trading of cryptocurrencies is banned, but the country leads in developing its central bank digital currency (CBDC), which had reached hundreds of millions of users domestically by the end of 2025.
Other Regions: Many countries are updating legislation in an effort to either attract crypto investors or shield their economies from risks. For instance, in the Gulf states (UAE, Bahrain), special regimes for crypto businesses with low taxes are in effect, stimulating the relocation of companies. Conversely, several countries (Turkey, Argentina, Nigeria) have implemented stricter control measures for crypto transactions amid currency crises, requiring registration of platforms and reporting on significant transactions. Globally, regulators are increasingly coordinating: law enforcement agencies from different countries have formed joint task forces to track illegal crypto activities, while central banks discuss unified approaches to the oversight of stablecoins and cryptocurrency exchanges.

Technological Updates in Blockchains

Ethereum – Fusaka Update: At the beginning of December, the Ethereum network successfully activated the Fusaka hard fork, becoming the second major update in 2025. This update has increased the base throughput of the blockchain (gas limit per block has been raised), improved interaction with layer two solutions, and added new features for optimizing smart contracts. These changes aim to reduce fees and increase transaction speed, which is especially important given the growing load from DeFi applications. Ethereum continues to follow its roadmap towards scalability (with future plans for sharding) and improving network security.
Bitcoin and Scalability: Although the Bitcoin network did not have major hard forks in 2025, the ecosystem surrounding it has been actively developing. The capacity of the Lightning Network — a layer two solution for fast microtransactions — reached new heights, expanding Bitcoin's practical use in retail payments. Furthermore, the Bitcoin community is discussing various improvement proposals (BIPs) aimed at increasing privacy and functionality (e.g., implementing partial signed transaction agreements and covenant-type technologies). Concurrently, cross-chain solutions have gained traction: so-called Bitcoin Ordinals and protocols for issuing tokens based on Bitcoin have demonstrated that even a conservative network can support new use cases (collectible NFTs, stablecoins on Bitcoin, etc.) without altering the underlying protocol.
Other Blockchain Projects: Technological breakthroughs continue in the altcoin sector. Solana has significantly improved the stability of its network following updates, reducing the number of failures, and is preparing to implement solutions for parallel transaction execution. Cardano is implementing scalability protocols (such as Hydra for off-chain channels), gradually increasing throughput. Polygon and other layer 2 projects for Ethereum (Arbitrum, Optimism) have established themselves as integral components of the ecosystem, providing cheaper and faster transactions — their total locked value (TVL) in DeFi has noticeably increased over the year. Additionally, in 2025, new protocols combining blockchain and artificial intelligence emerged, although they remain in early stages. Overall, technological development is not slowing down: each update enhances the efficiency and attractiveness of crypto networks for business solutions.

Institutional Investments

Launch of Exchange-Traded Crypto ETFs: The year 2025 was marked by breakthroughs on traditional exchanges — for the first time, spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs began trading in the U.S. and several other countries. The approval from regulators (including the famous BlackRock fund and other asset management companies) signalized a green light for large investors. In the first few months of trading, these funds attracted billions in capital — for instance, the influx of capital into American Bitcoin ETFs surpassed $200 million in one of the December days. The emergence of accessible exchange-traded instruments based on cryptocurrencies has boosted confidence among pension funds, insurance companies, and other conservative players who previously avoided direct purchases of digital assets.
Involvement of Banks and Financial Firms: Major Wall Street banks and international financial corporations are expanding their presence in the crypto sector. Many banks launched crypto custody services for clients, trading platforms for digital assets, and analytical divisions investigating blockchain in 2025. Payment giants PayPal and Visa have integrated stablecoins: PayPal launched its own USD stablecoin to facilitate payments, while Visa began conducting cross-border payments directly using the Solana network and USDC. These steps by traditional financial institutions highlight a growing institutional demand and the recognition of cryptocurrencies as an asset class.
Corporate and Venture Investments: Institutional acceptance is also evident in the corporate sector. Companies within the S&P 500 are increasingly including Bitcoin in their treasury reserves or investing in blockchain startups. Michael Saylor, through his firm MicroStrategy (restructured into the Stratégie holding), continues to increase Bitcoin holdings on the balance sheet, although he warned investors about a possible "crypto winter" following the volatility of October. Venture capital activity in 2025 has also revived: large funds (Andreessen Horowitz, Binance Labs, etc.) launched new investment products targeting Web3, DeFi, and AI crypto projects. Consequently, the influx of institutional funds has supported the market during downturns and provided resources for infrastructure development.
Role of Macro Players and States: Investments from sovereign entities deserve particular attention. Sovereign wealth funds from the Middle East and Asia made significant acquisitions throughout the year, from stakes in crypto exchanges to direct purchases of tokens in the top 10. Some central banks (e.g., El Salvador, which already uses Bitcoin as legal tender) have increased their cryptocurrency reserves. In the U.S., regulators have officially permitted banks to act as custodians of crypto assets for clients, facilitating pension and investment funds to more freely invest in digital assets through authorized banking intermediaries. These shifts indicate that institutional and even state players are now integral to the crypto market.

Major Hacks and Scams

Record Hacker Attacks: The year 2025, despite the industry's increasing maturity, became notorious for the volume of stolen funds. In the first six months alone, hackers stole cryptocurrencies worth over $2 billion, with that figure approaching historical highs by the end of the year. The most significant incident occurred in February: the Bybit exchange was attacked, resulting in the theft of approximately $1.5 billion in digital assets — an unprecedented amount for a single hack. Experts believe this attack involved North Korean hacker groups, which became active in 2025 and are collectively linked to the theft of over $2 billion (the funds were then laundered through complex transaction chains and mixers).
DeFi Vulnerabilities: Decentralized finance platforms also regularly became targets. Mid-year saw a series of hacks on DeFi protocols: for example, an exploit on the popular trading platform GMX led to losses of around $40 million, while the Indian exchange CoinDCX reported a leak of $44 million due to an insider vulnerability. In July, the cumulative damage from the five largest DeFi hacks exceeded $130 million. These events underscore the persistent risks associated with smart contracts: coding errors and insufficient security auditing lead to immediate losses for users' funds.
Frauds and Legal Outcomes: Law enforcement continues to hold accountable the creators of the largest crypto pyramids and fraudulent schemes from previous years. In December, a sentence was delivered in New York to Do Kwon, co-founder of the failed Terra/Luna project: prosecutors sought a 12-year prison term for defrauding investors of around $40 billion — the Terra collapse in 2022 triggered a chain reaction of bankruptcies (including the crash of the FTX exchange) and became a pivotal lesson for the industry. Additionally, global investigations into the activities of OneCoin pyramid creators and several DeFi projects suspected of fund misappropriation are ongoing. In 2025, regulators and law enforcement agencies from various countries have intensified their fight against scammers: dozens of arrests, the confiscation of cryptocurrency assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and the first sentences for top executives of bankrupt crypto firms sent a clear message that the era of unregulated schemes is coming to an end. Nevertheless, users must remain vigilant — rug pull schemes and phishing attacks continue to emerge, especially surrounding new tokens and NFT collections.

Conclusions and Perspectives

The cryptocurrency market at the end of 2025 presents a mixed picture. On one hand, impressive strides have been made: new price records at the beginning of the year, the integration of digital assets into traditional finance through ETFs and banking services, as well as technological progress enhancing the reliability and scalability of blockchains. On the other hand, high volatility and a series of disruptions (both external and internal) have reminded investors of the risks associated with this asset class. The near-term outlook heavily depends on external factors: easing monetary policy may support demand for risk assets, but the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the economy (including the potential for a “bubble” in the AI company stock market) will continue to influence sentiments in crypto.

Nevertheless, fundamental trends indicate further maturation of the industry. Institutional involvement provides greater liquidity and resilience to the market, while regulatory clarity in key regions lowers barriers for new entrants. Technological innovations are expanding the use cases of cryptocurrencies — from payments and decentralized finance to gaming and metaverse projects. Investors should maintain a balanced approach: diversifying their portfolios among leading cryptocurrencies, monitoring news regarding regulations and major adoptions, and, most importantly, adhering to cybersecurity principles. As we enter 2026, the crypto market remains a dynamic and global phenomenon, capable of surprising with swift growth while presenting serious challenges — but it is precisely in such conditions that new opportunities are created for those willing to adopt a long-term strategy.