Cryptocurrency News, Monday, December 29, 2025: Bitcoin Nears $90k and Year-End Summary

Current Cryptocurrency News for Monday, December 29, 2025: Bitcoin and Ethereum Dynamics, Altcoin Movements, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies by Market Capitalization, and Key Market Trends for Global Investors.

In the final days of 2025, the digital asset market continues to consolidate. Bitcoin is holding around the $88–89k mark following a record surge this autumn, while leading altcoins exhibit a mixed yet generally positive trend. Investors are showing cautious optimism, relying on a more favorable regulatory environment and actively participating institutional players.

Cryptocurrency Market: Consolidation at Year-End

Global cryptocurrency market capitalization has approached $3 trillion, just slightly beneath recent record highs. In the days leading up to the holidays, there has been a marginal decline in prices (approximately 1–2% daily) amidst low trading volumes. Investors are acting cautiously, with the cryptocurrency "fear and greed" index still in the "fear" zone. However, 2025 has shown significant long-term growth; for instance, Bitcoin surged above $126k in October and is now returning to $88k. This indicates ongoing interest in crypto assets despite the December correction.

Bitcoin: Consolidation Around $90k

The largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Bitcoin (BTC), is trading in the range of $87–88k (data from December 28). The market cap of BTC exceeds $1.7 trillion, accounting for about 58–59% of the entire crypto market. After record highs above $120k this autumn, Bitcoin has experienced a correction but retains support around $84–88k. Analysts suggest that breaking the psychological barrier of around $90–91k may set the tone for the market at the beginning of 2026. Market activity is influenced by institutional flows – significant outflows were observed from leading spot Bitcoin ETFs by year-end. For example, the largest ETF from BlackRock (IBIT) saw a near 5% asset decrease ($2.7 billion) within a couple of weeks, indicating rapid capital redistribution. The dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the renewal of fund inflows and global macroeconomic factors.

Ethereum: Strong Fundamentals, Lagging Price

The second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum (ETH), is trading around $2,950, slightly lagging behind recent highs. Ethereum remains the leading platform for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and smart contracts, significantly expanding its throughput over the past year. Recent protocol upgrades have improved scalability and reduced fees, stimulating an increase in activity – the number of transactions and token operations on Ethereum has reached record levels. However, ETH's price is pressured by general market factors and outflows: many holders have yet to recoup losses incurred during price peaks. Experts expect that once Bitcoin stabilizes, interest in Ethereum will rise as investors refocus on it as a foundational asset of the blockchain ecosystem.

Altcoins: Diverging Trends Among the Leaders

Among leading altcoins, mixed dynamics are observed: some coins are steadily rising while others remain stagnant. Here are some important trends regarding top altcoins:

• Solana (SOL) – a high-speed blockchain attracting developers due to low fees. After last year’s technical difficulties, SOL has recovered and is trading around $125 with a market cap of about $70 billion, maintaining its position in the top ten.
• XRP (Ripple) – the token of the Ripple payment system. In 2025, legal clarity regarding XRP’s status restored investor confidence. Despite market correction, XRP has shown relative resilience: even during a general market decline, the token continues to be in demand as a payment asset.
• Binance Coin (BNB) – the coin of the Binance exchange and BNB Chain platform. BNB is used for fee payments and has a broad ecosystem. Despite growing regulatory attention towards Binance, the coin holds strong positions (trading above $850) due to numerous use cases within the ecosystem.
• Dogecoin (DOGE) and Cardano (ADA) – popular cryptocurrencies that show relatively weak dynamics towards the year-end. DOGE maintains its position in the top ten thanks to community support, while ADA, a scientifically-driven project, still has a large following. Both coins have primarily traded within narrow ranges in recent weeks, without sharp movements.
• TRON (TRX) – a blockchain oriented towards digital entertainment and supporting stablecoins. A significant portion of USDT is issued on the TRON network, ensuring high demand for the TRX token (exchange rate around $0.28), especially in the Asian region.

Institutional Trends: ETF Outflows and Corporate Accumulation

Institutional investors continue to influence the market. Throughout 2025, newly launched spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US have spurred growth in interest in crypto assets, but by the year-end, funds have begun to realize outflows. Additionally, corporate deals have surged: by year-end, the volume of M&A in the crypto industry reached a record $8.6 billion (compared to ~$2.2 billion in 2024). This reflects the growing confidence of large players and financial organizations. Major deals included:

• the acquisition of the Deribit exchange by Coinbase for $2.9 billion (the largest acquisition in crypto sector history);
• the purchase of the futures platform NinjaTrader by Kraken for $1.5 billion;
• the acquisition of crypto broker Hidden Road by Ripple for $1.25 billion.

Simultaneously, 2025 witnessed a boom in initial public offerings (IPOs): a total of ~$14.6 billion was raised through IPOs (compared to just $0.31 billion the year before). Among notable market entries are the parent company of CoinDesk (Bullish, $1.1 billion), the issuer of the USDC stablecoin (Circle, over $1 billion), and the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange (~$0.425 billion). These transactions reflect the desire of institutional players to access liquid crypto assets amidst tightening regulations.

Large banks are returning to crypto: JPMorgan is exploring cryptocurrency trading options for institutional clients, while U.S. Bank has resumed Bitcoin custody services for fund managers in partnership with NYDIG. In the US, Senator Lummis noted that proposed US regulatory measures could end the practice of "debanking" crypto companies by banks. Thus, traditional financial institutions are preparing to more actively integrate into the digital assets market.

Macroeconomics and Investor Sentiment

The end of December is characterized by a moderately positive sentiment, albeit with signs of caution. A weakening US dollar and expectations of potential easing from the Fed are supporting demand for riskier assets and "safe" instruments. This week, gold and silver prices reached historical highs amid geopolitical tensions – a trend that is typically favorable for Bitcoin as well. Meanwhile, the crypto market has already responded to these concerns: following a slight dip, Bitcoin is showing a recovery that reflects its role as digital gold.

However, sentiment indicators, such as the cryptocurrency "fear and greed" index, remain in the "fear" zone, indicating a cautious mood among participants. Key factors remain central banks' interest rate decisions and the overall economic backdrop: further market dynamics will depend on the macroeconomic situation. For instance, the increasing likelihood of a Fed rate cut in early 2026 could stimulate capital inflows into risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is often referred to as "digital gold" due to its limited supply. In 2025, Bitcoin reached record levels above $120k and is currently trading around $88k. The market capitalization of BTC is approximately $1.7 trillion (about 58% of the entire crypto market).
2. Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest cryptocurrency and leading platform for decentralized applications (DeFi, NFT). The ETH token is used to pay fees on the Ethereum network. At the year's end, its price is around $3,000, with a market cap of approximately $350 billion (~12% of the market).
3. Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar (1 USDT ≈ $1). USDT is widely used on exchanges as a medium of exchange and store of value. Its market cap is around $150 billion, reflecting the key role of stablecoins in the crypto economy.
4. Binance Coin (BNB) – the native coin of the Binance exchange and BNB Chain platform. BNB is utilized to pay trading fees and fuel the Binance Smart Chain network. Thanks to its extensive Binance ecosystem, the coin ranks among the leaders by market cap (~$100 billion), maintaining significant transaction volumes.
5. USD Coin (USDC) – one of the leading stablecoins, issued by the Centre consortium (Coinbase and Circle). USDC is fully backed by reserves and is known for its high level of transparency. In 2025, it gained popularity among institutional investors, with a market cap of approximately $60 billion.
6. XRP (Ripple) – the cryptocurrency of the Ripple payment network, aimed at swift interbank transfers with low fees. In 2025, legal clarity (court victories) restored trust in XRP. The token price is around $2.5, with a market cap of about $140 billion, regaining its spot among the top five cryptocurrencies.
7. Solana (SOL) – a blockchain with high throughput and low transaction costs. Solana attracts developers of DeFi and NFT applications and is considered a promising competitor to Ethereum. SOL remains in the top 10 with a market cap of around $80 billion.
8. Cardano (ADA) – a smart contract platform with a scientific approach to development. ADA is used for staking and transaction payments on the Cardano blockchain. Despite slower growth, the project has a large community: ADA's market cap is approximately $28 billion with a price around $0.85.
9. Dogecoin (DOGE) – a well-known "meme token," created as a joke but now a significant phenomenon. DOGE is supported by a community and well-known individuals (e.g., Elon Musk). It is used for micropayments and tips online. The price of Dogecoin is about $0.18, with a market cap of around $26 billion.
10. TRON (TRX) – a blockchain focused on digital entertainment and stablecoin issuance. A significant portion of USDT and other stablecoins is issued on the TRON network due to its high speeds and low fees. The TRX token trades around $0.30, with a market cap of approximately $27 billion.

Market Outlook for Early 2026

Analysts predict that 2026 will be marked by gradual consolidation and more sustainable growth of the cryptocurrency market following a tumultuous 2025. Key achievements of the past year include the launch of crypto ETFs in the US, the enactment of MiCA in the EU, blockchain technology upgrades, and increased institutional participation. These factors contribute to a more mature and shock-resistant industry.

At the beginning of 2026, investors will closely monitor capital inflow dynamics: a renewal of net inflows into crypto funds and ETFs after the holidays could catalyze a new phase of price growth. Moreover, macro factors remain crucial – decisions by central banks and global economic trends will determine risk appetite. With accumulated reserves of stablecoins, the market is poised for rapid liquidity if sentiments improve. Overall, cryptocurrencies are firmly integrated into the global financial system, and their trajectory in 2026 will depend on both internal technological drivers and external economic conditions.