Current Cryptocurrency News for Thursday, December 11, 2025: Bitcoin Consolidates Ahead of Fed Decision, Ethereum Outpaces Market Growth, Rally Hopes Remain Alive as Year-End Approaches, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of December 11, 2025, the cryptocurrency market showcases relative stability following a recovery from the downturn in November. One of the worst Novembers in recent years has given way to a cautious uptick at the beginning of December: Bitcoin has bounced back from local lows and is consolidating, while key altcoins are showing moderate growth as they stabilize after recent volatility. The overall market capitalization of cryptocurrencies is holding steady around $3.2 trillion, with Bitcoin's dominance at approximately 60%. The "fear and greed" index for cryptocurrencies remains in the "fear" zone, reflecting investor caution. Market participants are assessing whether the current consolidation will evolve into a pre-Christmas rally or whether volatility will continue.
Bitcoin: Consolidation Ahead of Fed Decision
At the start of autumn, Bitcoin (BTC) reached a new all-time high of approximately $126,000 (on October 6), followed by a sharp correction. Mass profit-taking and a cascade of margin position liquidations in October and November sent the price down to around $85,000 by the end of November (a low for recent months). However, in December, the first cryptocurrency is showing signs of recovery: the price has returned to levels above $90,000 and has been trading in a range of roughly $90,000 to $95,000 in recent days, consolidating after the bounce. The current BTC value is nearly 10% above November's lows. The market capitalization of Bitcoin is estimated at about $1.8 trillion, accounting for around 59–60% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization.
Investors are cautiously awaiting the outcomes of the Federal Reserve’s December meeting, which could significantly impact Bitcoin's dynamics. It is anticipated that the Fed's decisions regarding interest rates (a reduction is expected for the first time in several years) could serve as a catalyst for the cryptocurrency market: easing monetary policy is likely to enhance liquidity and risk appetite, supporting BTC's price. Analysts at London Crypto Club note that in the near term, liquidity infusion from a looser Fed policy could provide momentum for the growth of the first cryptocurrency.
Meanwhile, traders are preparing for increased volatility. QCP Capital believes that over the coming weeks, Bitcoin will range between approximately $84,000 and $100,000, reacting to macroeconomic news. Some experts are skeptical about the so-called "Santa Claus rally": Bloomberg strategist Mike McGlone warns that a pre-Christmas surge may not occur, forecasting that by year’s end, BTC may trade below $84,000.
Major financial institutions have adjusted their short-term forecasts for Bitcoin following the recent downturn. Standard Chartered Bank, for instance, has lowered its year-end target price for BTC from the previous $200,000 to $100,000, considering the November correction. Nevertheless, a long-term bullish outlook remains: Standard Chartered still expects Bitcoin to reach $500,000, albeit in a more distant timeframe (by 2030 instead of the previously forecasted 2028). Overall, despite recent fluctuations, Bitcoin retains its status as "digital gold" and is in demand among both retail and institutional investors who view it as a means of preserving value amid global economic uncertainty.
Ethereum and Major Altcoins
Ethereum (ETH) also experienced a correction in the second half of autumn following Bitcoin. Earlier in November, the second-largest cryptocurrency set a multi-year high (ETH surpassed $5,000 at the peak of its rally), but then it decreased in line with the market. Currently, Ethereum is trading around $3,300, recovering from November's lows (which fell below $2,800). Over the last week, ETH has increased faster than Bitcoin, demonstrating a double-digit growth (over +10%), while BTC has gained roughly 4%. The market capitalization of ETH stands at around $400 billion (approximately 13% of the overall market). Ethereum continues to serve as the foundational platform for decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFT ecosystems, and recent technical upgrades (transition to Proof-of-Stake, network scalability improvements) are strengthening investor confidence in the long-term value of this asset.
The other leading altcoins are generally following the overall market dynamics in early December, showing moderate recovery after declines. Many of the top 10 digital assets have returned to levels at which they stabilized post-market stabilization. For instance, Solana (SOL) is currently around $140–150 per coin (capitalization around $70 billion), having recovered part of its fall; the Solana ecosystem continues to evolve, attracting investors with DeFi and GameFi projects, as well as expectations surrounding the launch of ETFs based on SOL. Cardano (ADA) has recently emerged as one of the growth leaders among the majors, rising approximately 7–8% within a day and nearing the $0.60 mark. ADA remains in the top ten due to its active community and ongoing technological enhancements within the network—despite volatile fluctuations in the autumn, the Cardano platform retains investor confidence and plans to launch new financial products based on ADA.
Overall, the altcoin market is gradually stabilizing. XRP, BNB, DOGE, TRX, and other major tokens are holding their positions in the top 10, showing minor price increases after the November slump. Notably, there have been technical advancements in the industry: the Polygon blockchain team has successfully activated a significant update called Madhugiri, which has reduced consensus achievement time to 1 second and increased Polygon's throughput by approximately 30%. This hard fork, which includes several optimizations (such as limiting excessive gas consumption and introducing a new type of transaction for Ethereum interaction), aims to enhance network speed and stability. The Polygon example shows that despite price fluctuations, technological innovations in the cryptocurrency world continue, laying a foundation for new valuation growth for promising altcoins.
Institutional Players: Banks Enter the Crypto Market
One of the key trends in 2025 has been the increasing role of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency market and the integration of traditional financial institutions. This autumn, the United States saw the introduction of the first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (Bitcoin-ETFs), providing professional investors with a convenient and regulated method of investing in digital assets. In December, the U.S. banking regulator took another step toward the crypto industry: the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) officially allowed American national banks and federal savings associations to act as intermediaries in cryptocurrency transactions. Essentially, this means that large banks will be able to directly facilitate client transactions for buying and selling cryptocurrencies, acting as intermediaries between buyers and sellers. This operational mechanism is based on an agency model where the bank simultaneously concludes a transaction with a selling client and a mirror transaction with a buying client, providing liquidity and ensuring execution, without the bank holding cryptocurrency on its balance sheet or bearing price risks. According to the OCC, this initiative aims to transfer some operations from unregulated shadow segments into the transparent realm of traditional finance. Significant conditions have been imposed on banks—from verifying the legality of each operation to possessing expertise in risk management—but the very fact of allowing banks into this market could significantly ease access for broader masses of investors to cryptocurrencies through familiar financial institutions.
Interest from major institutions in crypto assets remains high, even amid recent volatility. Many global banks and hedge funds are expanding their range of crypto products. For instance, large asset management companies have launched investment trusts and funds tied to digital assets, and in 2025 several cryptocurrency companies went public through direct listings and SPAC deals. Recently, the investment firm Twenty One Capital, which owns over 43,500 BTC, became the third-largest public holder of Bitcoin, reflecting the growing scale of institutional participation.
Institutional analysts generally have a positive outlook on the industry's long-term prospects. According to Coinbase Institutional, the November downturn played a healthy role for the market, "cleansing" it of excess speculative leverage and creating a base for recovery by year-end. Analysts note that after the correction, the use of leverage and risky strategies has significantly decreased: many short-term speculators have been pushed out of the market, while long-term investors have capitalized on the lower prices to build positions. Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, stated that over the next decade, the digital asset market could grow 10-20 times. He bolstered this confidence with the forecast from SEC Chairman Paul Atkins regarding the deep integration of blockchain technologies into the traditional financial system. In other words, major players in the financial sector see cryptocurrencies not as a short-term bubble but as a strategic asset class that will increasingly intertwine with global finance. The emergence of regulated ETFs, bank involvement, and support from influential financiers signal that institutional adaptation of the cryptocurrency market is ongoing, potentially attracting new billions of dollars into the space in the future.
Cryptocurrency Regulation: Global Trends
By the end of 2025, the regulatory landscape of the crypto industry is undergoing significant changes worldwide. In the U.S., a new wave of regulators is softening the approach to digital assets. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, in a recent speech, noted that most token sales (ICOs) should not be automatically equated with securities offerings, therefore falling outside the SEC's mandate. This commentary signals a more lenient attitude from the regulator toward crypto startups: the SEC is willing to allow blockchain projects to develop without undue pressure if their tokens do not exhibit characteristics of securities. Furthermore, Atkins announced the launch of a temporary regulatory regime in 2026—a sort of "sandbox"—which will allow crypto and fintech companies to test innovative products under relaxed compliance requirements. The new SEC leadership clearly intends to move away from the strict punitive approach characteristic of the Gary Gensler era towards more open and transparent regulation. Meanwhile, final decisions on the classification of crypto assets will largely depend on the U.S. Congress, where discussions are ongoing about introducing a comprehensive law that would distribute regulatory authority between supervisory bodies (SEC and CFTC) in the crypto market.
Other American regulators are also taking steps toward integrating cryptocurrencies into the financial system. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched a pilot program permitting the use of cryptocurrencies as collateral in derivative markets. Initially, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the stablecoin USDC are included in the list of permitted collateral assets. This innovation is designed to enhance settlement flexibility on futures and options exchanges, allowing traders to use digital assets for margin collateral alongside fiat currencies.
In Europe, as of January 1, 2026, the DAC8 directive comes into effect, significantly increasing tax oversight concerning cryptocurrency transactions. Under the new rules, cryptocurrency exchanges and other service providers are required to provide tax authorities in EU countries with detailed data about transactions and client accounts. This measure aims to combat tax evasion and increase transparency—in effect, the European Union is adopting an international standard for exchanging tax information, tailored for cryptocurrencies. Simultaneously, the EU continues the phased implementation of the MiCA regulation, which creates uniform rules for the issuance of stablecoins, cryptocurrency exchanges, and custodians. Together, these initiatives are shaping a more defined and predictable regulatory environment for the crypto business in Europe, which may in the future contribute to the influx of institutional capital into the market.
Government attention to the crypto market is also increasing in Asian jurisdictions. The Hong Kong government has announced the initiation of public consultations for implementing international standards for tax control concerning crypto assets. Essentially, one of the leading Asian financial centers is preparing for cryptocurrency transactions to fall under tax reporting rules—a step that indicates recognition of the crypto industry as part of the legal economy. In other countries in the region, similar measures are being enacted: Japan and South Korea have updated laws regulating cryptocurrency exchange operations and investor protection within the year, while several Middle Eastern countries have created special economic zones for blockchain companies with unique regulatory conditions. Overall, the global trend is evident: instead of outright bans or neglect of cryptocurrencies, governments seek to establish clear rules of the game, integrating digital assets into the existing financial and legal system. Although increased regulation raises compliance costs, in the long run, it enhances market trust and attracts major players who value legal certainty.
Macroeconomics and Its Impact on the Crypto Market
External macroeconomic factors continue to significantly affect cryptocurrency investor sentiment. In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable increase in the correlation between cryptocurrency prices and traditional risk assets, primarily shares of technology companies. This is attributed to the influx of institutional money into the digital asset market, as cryptocurrencies are increasingly viewed alongside other investment assets. Amid persistent high inflation in 2023 and an extended period of elevated interest rates, investors have become more cautious about investing in high-risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Many market participants expected that by the end of 2025, the Federal Reserve and other central banks would begin a rate-cutting cycle, easing monetary policy. However, clear signs of a decisive pivot remain elusive: the Fed has maintained a firm stance throughout the year in its fight against inflation. Doubts regarding the quick reduction of rates by the Fed and the European Central Bank are cooling risk appetite—this uncertainty has also impacted cryptocurrencies, constraining their growth in the autumn. However, any hints of policy easing are immediately reflected in prices: for example, indications of slowing inflation in the U.S. or decisions to ease monetary conditions could spur growth in the crypto market.
Market players are currently closely monitoring economic news and central bankers' decisions, as these are instantaneously reflected in Bitcoin and altcoin prices. For instance, stronger-than-expected labor market data in the U.S. this autumn led to a strengthening of the dollar and, consequently, a temporary decrease in BTC price. In contrast, positive events that decrease global risks support crypto assets: in early November, investors reacted with relief to the resolution of the U.S. budget crisis (Congress managed to avoid a government "shutdown"), and amid an increased appetite for risk, Bitcoin and Ethereum received a short-term growth boost. External geopolitical factors also introduce volatility: for instance, sharp statements by the U.S. regarding trade tariffs or sanctions against China earlier in October triggered an immediate sell-off of cryptocurrencies, demonstrating how sensitive the market is to any global shocks.
Overall, uncertainty in the global economy and traditional financial markets is currently generating heightened fluctuations within the cryptocurrency market. Traders and investors increasingly take macroeconomic indicators (such as rates, inflation, the dollar's exchange rate, and commodity prices) into account while making decisions, indicating the maturing of the sector and its gradual integration into the global financial system. While previously cryptocurrencies often lived in their own world, by 2025 their behavior largely mirrors the broader capital market sentiments. The future trajectory of crypto prices will depend, among other factors, on central banks' actions: initial hints at reducing borrowing costs could become the trigger many crypto investors are waiting for, hoping for a new rally.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
The rapid rise and subsequent fall in prices in recent months have been accompanied by spikes in short-term volatility in the cryptocurrency market. The sentiment index (fear and greed) for the crypto market fell to extremely low levels (around 10 points out of 100, indicating "extreme fear") in late November amid panic sell-offs. As of mid-December, the indicator has somewhat risen but is still in the "fear" zone (around 30-40 points), reflecting prevailing caution. This indicates that despite significant price pullbacks from the peaks, investor confidence has not fully recovered—the market is undergoing a phase of reflection on what has occurred.
Nevertheless, signs of stabilization in sentiment do exist: panic selling has ceased, and the fear/greed index has moved away from extreme lows, signaling a partial return of trust. A significant factor in the market's recovery has been the decrease in speculative leverage. The November correction "cleared" excessive leveraged positions from the market: according to Coinbase Institutional, the total open interest in perpetual futures for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana fell by about 16% compared to the October peak. Simultaneously, U.S. spot crypto ETFs recorded capital outflows in the order of several billion dollars over the month, and funding rates for BTC futures dropped below their mid-quarter levels. All these factors have contributed to stabilizing the systemic leverage ratio at approximately 4-5% of the total market capitalization (down from 10% in the summer of 2025). In simpler terms, there is now far less excessive borrowed capital in the market than before the crash, reducing the risk of new price collapses and making future growth more sustainable.
Yet, in the short term, volatility is expected to remain elevated. Ahead of important events (such as the Fed's decision), traders are pricing in potential sharp movements, which results in a wide price fluctuation range from day to day. For example, over the last 24 hours, Bitcoin's price fluctuated between approximately $89,500 and $94,600, while Ethereum ranged from roughly $3,090 to $3,320, indicating lingering nervousness. Many players continue to prefer caution: derivative positions are actively hedged, and a significant number of traders lock in profits at any substantial price increase, which limits the momentum development. However, a market cleansed of excessive optimism may find its "second wind" if new positive drivers emerge. Analysts note that the current consolidation at relatively low levels has created space for upward movement—provided there is an improvement in the news backdrop, investor sentiment may quickly shift to a more optimistic outlook, laying the groundwork for a rally.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
Below is a list of the ten largest and most significant cryptocurrencies as of the morning of December 11, 2025 (by market capitalization), along with a brief description of their current status:
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency, often referred to as "digital gold." BTC is currently trading around $95,000 after a recent correction (market capitalization approximately $1.8–1.9 trillion, accounting for about 60% of the total market). Its capped issuance of 21 million coins, increasing acceptance by major financial firms, and perception as a safe-haven asset help maintain BTC's dominant market position.
- Ethereum (ETH) — the second-largest digital asset and leading smart contract platform. ETH is priced at approximately $3,300. Ethereum serves as the foundation for DeFi, NFT ecosystems, and numerous decentralized applications; its market capitalization is about $400 billion (≈13% of the market). Ongoing technical upgrades (network transition to Proof-of-Stake, scalability and efficiency improvements through updates like Shanghai/Danksharding) and extensive application within the blockchain industry ensure Ethereum's robust standing.
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is widely used by traders for transactions and fund storage, providing high liquidity on crypto markets. The market capitalization of Tether is around $160 billion; the coin consistently holds a $1.00 price, acting as a sort of "digital dollar" and an intermediate currency for trading crypto assets.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the native asset of the BNB Chain blockchain network. BNB is used to pay trading fees on the exchange, participate in Launchpad token sales, and execute smart contracts within the Binance ecosystem. Currently, BNB is trading around $600+ (market capitalization ~ $100 billion). Despite regulatory pressures on Binance worldwide, the BNB token remains in the top 5 due to its wide range of applications and value-support mechanisms (such as regular coin burns).
- XRP (Ripple) — the token of the Ripple payment network designed for fast cross-border payments between banks. XRP is trading around $2.1 per coin (capitalization ~ $110 billion). In 2025, XRP significantly strengthened following Ripple's judicial victory against the SEC and the launch of the first spot XRP ETF, returning the token to market leadership. XRP is in demand within banking blockchain solutions for international transfers and remains one of the most recognized cryptocurrencies globally.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform offering fast and cheap transactions; a competitor to Ethereum in the smart contracts space. SOL is trading around $140 (capitalization approximately $70 billion) after a considerable surge in 2025. The Solana ecosystem attracts investors by developing DeFi and GameFi projects, as well as the anticipated launch of SOL-based exchange-traded funds. The network's rapid performance and support for significant projects have helped SOL enter and establish itself in the top ten cryptocurrencies.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform emphasizing a scientific approach to network development (its development is based on academic research and validation). ADA is currently priced at around $0.60 (market value ~ $20 billion) following volatile fluctuations in the autumn. Despite retracting from peak values, Cardano remains in the top 10 due to its strong community, continuous network upgrades (scalability improvements, new features), and plans for launching investment products based on ADA, which sustain long-term investor interest.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most famous meme cryptocurrency, created as a joke but has garnered immense popularity over time. DOGE is holding around $0.15 (capitalization ~$20–30 billion) and continues to rank among the largest coins thanks to community loyalty and periodic interest from high-profile individuals. Dogecoin's volatility has historically been very high; however, this coin has demonstrated remarkable resilience in investor interest across several cycles, remaining the "people's coin."
- TRON (TRX) — a blockchain platform for smart contracts initially focused on entertainment and content. TRX is now priced around $0.28 (capitalization ~ $25–30 billion). The TRON network is characterized by its low fees and high throughput, making it popular for issuing and transferring stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on TRON). The platform actively develops and supports decentralized applications (DeFi, games), enabling TRX to maintain its position in the top ten global cryptocurrencies.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin issued by Circle, fully backed by reserves in U.S. dollars. USDC consistently trades at $1.00, and its market capitalization stands at around $50 billion. The coin is widely used by institutional investors and in the DeFi sector for transactions and value preservation due to high transparency in reserves and regular audits. USDC competes with Tether, offering a more regulated and transparent stablecoin model, making it attractive to conservative market participants.
Prospects and Expectations
The main question investors are grappling with in December 2025 is whether the recent correction will serve as a springboard for a new crypto rally or if the market will continue to experience turbulence. Historically, year-end has often been accompanied by increased activity and rising cryptocurrency prices; however, there are no guarantees of this scenario repeating. Optimists note that the main negative factors from the recent downturn have largely been factored into prices: the weakest players capitulated in November, the market has "cleansed" itself of excessive optimism, and potential positive triggers lie ahead (such as the approval of new crypto ETFs or awaited signals of monetary policy easing from central banks). Furthermore, some analysts from major banks remain bullish, projecting that Bitcoin could reach six-figure prices ($150,000–170,000 and higher) over the next year, assuming favorable macroeconomic conditions.
On the other hand, the ongoing high cost of borrowing in the global economy and any new shocks (geopolitical escalation, tightening regulation, significant bankruptcies in the industry) could prolong the period of instability in the cryptocurrency market. Many experts agree that a confident bullish trend's return will require several conditions to align simultaneously: a reduction in inflation and interest rates, fresh capital inflows (including from institutional investors), and a restoration of trust in the industry after this year's challenges.
For now, the market displays cautious optimism: key cryptocurrencies are holding important support levels, negative news is becoming less frequent, and investors are gradually returning after the shocks of November. It is likely that in the coming weeks, the cryptocurrency market will continue to balance between hopes for renewed growth and concerns regarding ongoing risks. Nonetheless, most observers are looking toward 2026 with cautious optimism, anticipating a new wave of industry development and a gradual recovery of the upward trend as external conditions improve.
