Cryptocurrency Market Update as of November 15, 2025: Bitcoin Dips Below $100,000, Ethereum Prepares for Upgrade, Altcoins Decline. Analysis of the Top-10 Cryptocurrencies and Market Trends.
As of the morning of November 15, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is under pressure following a significant correction in recent days. Bitcoin's price has fallen below the psychological threshold of $100,000 for the first time in six months, marking a new low since May and reducing the total capitalization of digital assets to approximately $3.4 trillion. Leading altcoins, spearheaded by Ethereum, have also declined in price, with many of the top-10 dropping from recent highs. Investors are exercising caution amidst increasing macroeconomic risks and signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve indicating a possible delay in interest rate cuts. However, institutional interest in cryptocurrencies remains strong, supported by the emergence of new investment products and gradual improvements in the regulatory environment.
Bitcoin: Loss of the Key $100,000 Level
The largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC), reached a new all-time high (~$125,000) at the beginning of October, after which it entered the expected correction phase. This week, the decline accelerated: BTC has dropped below the psychologically important level of $100,000 for the first time since May, recording a low of around $95,000. As a result, Bitcoin has retreated almost 24% from its peak, and this coming week could mark its third consecutive loss.
The pressure on BTC has intensified due to a global flight of investors from riskier assets. Signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve regarding their reluctance to rush into interest rate cuts have dampened market optimism. The probability of a policy easing by the Fed in December has fallen from about 90% to 50%, stripping Bitcoin of one of its growth drivers. Nonetheless, long-term BTC holders remain confident: many large investors are using the dips to increase their positions, viewing Bitcoin as digital gold and a hedge against inflation.
Ethereum: Decline Ahead of Network Upgrade
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH), has also felt market pressure. After a solid rise in the first half of 2025, Ether underwent a significant correction: in early November, ETH's price fell nearly 20%, briefly dropping below $3,100 - the lowest level in recent months. Subsequently, prices recovered to around $3,200, yet this is still below the October peak (~$3,900) and approximately 20% lower than the all-time high in 2021 ($4,867). Ethereum's market capitalization currently stands at about $450 billion (around 13% of the market volume).
Ethereum is influenced by both technological and macroeconomic factors. On one hand, investors are eagerly awaiting important events: a major network upgrade is scheduled for early December, aimed at improving scalability and reducing fees. Additionally, the sector is anticipating the approval of the first spot ETF on Ethereum in the U.S. by the end of the year, which could attract new institutional capital. These expectations had previously supported ETH's growth. However, in the short term, the negative backdrop has prevailed: intensified economic uncertainty has prompted an outflow of funds from Ethereum funds (over $1.4 billion withdrawn from Ether ETFs since late October), and some long-term holders have begun to take profits by selling ETH, further applying downward pressure on the price. Nonetheless, the fundamental metrics of the network remain robust, and the community believes that the forthcoming upgrade will strengthen Ethereum's position in the decentralized finance (DeFi) market and applications.
Altcoin Market: A Correction Without Exceptions
Most leading altcoins have followed Bitcoin downward. For instance, Ripple (XRP), which recently reached $3 in the wake of Ripple's victory over the SEC, has retreated to around $2.4 but retains strong standing due to expectations surrounding the launch of an ETF and clarity regarding the token's status in the U.S. Binance Coin (BNB), despite legal challenges surrounding the exchange, remains in the top five, having recently surged to ~$900 due to its widespread use in exchange and DeFi services.
Significant corrections have also affected Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) after their autumn rallies: SOL's price dropped from ~$200 to ~$150, while ADA's fell from ~$1 to ~$0.5. Nevertheless, these projects remain in the top ten as investors believe in their long-term potential. The meme cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE) and the Tron platform (TRX) have also maintained their positions in the top ten, supported respectively by a devoted community and the active use of the Tron network for stablecoins.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
The sharp price fluctuations of recent days have impacted sentiment indicators. The Fear and Greed Index, which was recently in the “Greed” zone, has fallen to neutral values — indicating a cooling of the euphoria among market participants. Volatility has triggered mass liquidations of margin positions: within a day, forced closures of trades worth over $500 million occurred on crypto exchanges, with most of these being long positions held by traders betting on growth. Experts emphasize that such a correction after a period of frenzy is a healthy phenomenon, yet they caution investors to exercise caution and avoid excessive leverage.
Institutional Interest Remains Strong
In 2025, institutional investors have significantly increased their presence in the cryptocurrency market. Although some funds have taken profits in recent weeks, major players are not exiting the market — cryptocurrencies are still viewed as a promising asset class. The submission of applications for new crypto-ETFs (including XRP, Solana, and others) confirms the intention of institutional players to expand their participation in the sector. The influx of professional capital remains one of the key drivers of the crypto market.
Regulation: U.S. and Europe
In the U.S., there are signs of a softening of the authorities' stance toward the crypto industry. Congress is pushing forward legislative initiatives aimed at clarifying rules for exchanges and token issuers, while the new SEC leadership has demonstrated a more lenient approach: the regulator has dropped lawsuits against several major crypto exchanges and stated that only a small fraction of tokens fall under securities laws. The Trump administration has signaled a willingness for compromise by pardoning Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ). These steps are creating a favorable legal environment for the U.S. market, promising businesses clear rules and investor protection.
In Europe, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation will come into effect by the end of the year, introducing uniform requirements for the industry across all EU countries. The document encompasses the activities of exchanges, wallet providers, and the issuance of stablecoins. Several large crypto companies have already obtained licenses under the new rules, creating predictable operating conditions and striking a balance between innovation and security. EU regulators continue to engage in dialogue with the industry and assess potential risks — for instance, further restrictions on global stablecoins are being discussed, although the measures provided for in MiCA are currently sufficient to control the situation.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) — ~$95,000 (≈55% of the market). The first and largest cryptocurrency remains a key indicator for the entire market. Despite the recent decline, BTC maintains its status as “digital gold” for investors, supporting long-term demand.
- Ethereum (ETH) — ~$3,200 (≈12% of the market). The leading smart contract platform and the second-largest cryptocurrency. The transition to Proof-of-Stake and deflationary issuance have strengthened Ethereum's position, and the anticipated network upgrade and potential ETF launch continue to encourage investor interest in ETH, despite recent fluctuations.
- Tether (USDT) — ~$1.00. The largest stablecoin pegged to the dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT provides high liquidity in the market, acting as a “safe haven” for capital during volatility. With a market cap of around $160 billion, the stablecoin consistently maintains its dollar parity due to full reserve backing.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — ~$900. The token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the primary asset of the BNB Chain network. It is used for fee payments and access to new projects. Despite regulatory pressures, BNB remains among the top five due to its wide use and community support.
- USD Coin (USDC) — ~$1.00. The second largest stablecoin (issued by a consortium led by Circle). Fully backed by dollar reserves, it is considered one of the most reliable digital assets. Approximately $75 billion USDC is currently in circulation.
- XRP (Ripple) — ~$2.3. The token of the Ripple network used for fast cross-border payments. In 2025, XRP exceeded $3 for the first time in seven years due to Ripple's victory over the SEC and expectations of an ETF launch. After the correction, it is trading around $2.4, remaining one of the largest assets. XRP attracts banks due to the efficiency of Ripple's technology and legal certainty regarding the status of the token.
- Solana (SOL) — ~$150. A high-performance layer-one blockchain known for fast transactions and low fees. SOL has seen significant growth in 2025 thanks to the expansion of its ecosystem (DeFi, NFT) and expectations of an ETF launch on Solana. Despite the pullback, Solana remains close to its peaks from recent years.
- Cardano (ADA) — ~$0.50. A blockchain platform with a Proof-of-Stake algorithm and a scientific approach to development. Although ADA's price is far from its records, the coin remains in the top ten due to its large market cap and active community. Interest in ADA has increased amid plans for an ETF launch; after a surge and correction, investors maintain optimism regarding the project's long-term prospects.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — ~$0.16. The most well-known meme cryptocurrency created as a joke. DOGE remains among the leaders due to its devoted community and occasional celebrity attention.
- TRON (TRX) — ~$0.30. The token of the Tron platform, which focuses on decentralized online services and multimedia. Tron attracts users with low fees and high network throughput. TRX has secured its place in the top ten largely due to the active use of the Tron network for stablecoins.
In summary, mid-November finds the crypto market taking a pause after a rapid rally as investors reassess risks and prospects. The outcomes of regulatory decisions and upcoming events (such as the Ethereum upgrade) will largely determine industry dynamics by the end of the year.
