Cryptocurrency News December 13, 2025 - Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Major Market Trends

Cryptocurrency News, Saturday, December 13, 2025: Market Seeks Balance After Fed Rate Cut, Ethereum Shows Moderate Growth, Institutional Interest Persists, Top 10 Cryptocurrencies, and Market Outlook

By the morning of December 13, 2025, the global cryptocurrency market has relatively stabilized after a volatile reaction to the Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates. The market leader Bitcoin briefly dipped below the psychological level of $90,000 but is currently consolidating around this mark. Key altcoins are displaying mixed dynamics: some are attempting to recover recent losses, while others are under pressure as investors lock in profits after the rally in the first half of the year. The total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies is holding around $3.2–3.3 trillion, with Bitcoin's dominance at approximately 59–60%. The Fear and Greed Index remains in the "fear" zone, reflecting market participants' caution despite the theoretically positive move for risk assets by regulators. Nevertheless, fundamental factors are encouraging: institutional investors continue to increase their presence, major economies are establishing clearer rules, and technological upgrades are improving blockchain infrastructure. In this review, we will examine the latest trends and developments in the industry: from the state of the top 10 coins to regulatory shifts, technological breakthroughs, institutional flows, security issues, and future market prospects.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC) — The largest cryptocurrency, accounting for about 58–60% of the total market. In October, BTC reached a new all-time high of around $126,000; however, the subsequent correction brought the price down to the current ~$90,000. Despite the sharp volatility in recent months, Bitcoin remains the primary indicator of sentiment in the cryptocurrency market and is perceived by investors as "digital gold" — a safe-haven asset with a capped supply (21 million coins) and growing recognition in traditional finance.
2. Ethereum (ETH) — The second-largest coin by market capitalization and the leading platform for smart contracts. ETH is trading around ~$3,200, lower than its peak values from early autumn, but indicating recovery after a decline in November. The Ethereum blockchain is the foundation of decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFT ecosystems. Recently, a hard fork called Fusaka was successfully executed on the network, enhancing scalability and reducing fees — solidifying Ethereum's market position and laying the groundwork for further usage growth.
3. Tether (USDT) — The largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT remains a key source of liquidity on cryptocurrency exchanges, allowing traders to weather periods of volatility by "parking" capital in a stable asset. Tether's market capitalization is estimated at about $180 billion, with its price consistently hovering around $1.00, making it a sort of "digital dollar" for the global crypto-economy.
4. XRP (Ripple token) — A cryptocurrency focused on instant global payments. XRP remains firmly in the top 5, with a market capitalization of around $120 billion and a price of about $2 per token. In 2025, interest in XRP significantly increased following favorable legal developments: the ongoing court battle between Ripple and the SEC in the US is nearing conclusion, restoring investor confidence and boosting quotes. The token is actively used in banking blockchain solutions for cross-border transfers and remains one of the most recognizable cryptocurrencies.
5. Binance Coin (BNB) — The native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the core asset of the BNB Chain. BNB is widely used to pay trading fees, participate in Launchpad token sales, and execute smart contracts within the Binance ecosystem. The coin is currently trading near $850, with a market capitalization of about $120 billion, keeping it among the market leaders. Despite regulatory pressure on Binance in various jurisdictions, the limited supply of BNB and mechanisms like regular token burns help maintain its value and position among the top 10 crypto-assets.
6. USD Coin (USDC) — The second-largest stablecoin issued by Circle, fully backed by reserves in US dollars. USDC consistently trades at a rate of $1.00, with a market capitalization estimated at $75–80 billion. This coin is often chosen by institutional investors and DeFi protocols due to its transparency and regular reserve audits. Although USDC's market share slightly declined in 2025 in favor of the more popular USDT, this stablecoin continues to be regarded as one of the most reliable and regulated digital counterparts to the dollar.
7. Solana (SOL) — A high-performance blockchain focused on scalability and minimal fees. The price of SOL sits around $130 (with a market capitalization of over $70 billion), significantly higher than the beginning of the year, despite recent pullbacks. In 2025, Solana greatly strengthened its infrastructure: a series of upgrades improved network stability (dramatically reducing the number of failures from the previous year), with plans to implement technologies for parallel transaction processing to further enhance throughput. The growth of DeFi and GameFi projects based on Solana, along with expectations for the launch of exchange-traded funds on this asset, fuel demand for SOL, helping it remain among the leading cryptocurrencies.
8. Tron (TRX) — A blockchain platform known for active use in entertainment and stablecoin issuance. TRX trades around $0.28 with a market value of approximately $26 billion. The Tron network attracts users with low fees and high throughput, with a considerable portion of the USDT supply circulating on its foundation. The project, led by Justin Sun, continues to develop by supporting decentralized applications (including DeFi and games), allowing TRX to stay in the top 10 global crypto-assets.
9. Dogecoin (DOGE) — The most well-known meme coin that started as a joke but has since transformed into a cryptocurrency with a multi-billion-market capitalization (over $20 billion with a price of ~$0.14). The popularity of DOGE is bolstered by an active community and occasional attention from high-profile individuals, primarily Elon Musk. The volatility of this coin is traditionally high, but Dogecoin has demonstrated remarkable resilience over several market cycles, remaining "the people's coin" and a constant figure in the top 10 cryptocurrencies.
10. Cardano (ADA) — A major blockchain platform on a Proof-of-Stake algorithm, evolving with a research-driven approach. ADA trades around $0.40 (with a market cap of about $15 billion), significantly down from its all-time highs. In 2025, the Cardano team continued technical updates aimed at increasing network scalability — for instance, solutions like Hydra were implemented to create off-chain channels, which should eventually increase throughput. Despite intense competition in the smart contracts segment and relative stagnation in price, Cardano retains one of the most dedicated communities, believing in the project’s long-term potential.

Global Market Overview

Overall, the global cryptocurrency capitalization is now close to levels observed at the peak of the autumn rally. However, the recent weeks have brought a noticeable correction. As of the morning of December 13, the total market value remains approximately 20% lower than the historical high reached earlier this year, and slightly below the previous week. All major coins in the top 10 have shown declines in recent days during the market's overall pullback. Bitcoin, after a sharp spike and subsequent retreat, is consolidating around $90,000 — investors are trying to ascertain whether the recent Fed rate cut will serve as a catalyst for new growth or a signal for caution. Notably, traditional stock indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq) reacted to the Fed's decisions with gains, while crypto assets, conversely, partially lost value. Analysts note an increasing correlation between Bitcoin and high-tech stocks: in 2025, both markets experienced similar rises and falls, linked to the fluctuating sentiment surrounding artificial intelligence prospects and changes in monetary policy.

After an impressive rally earlier in the year (largely spurred by capital inflow amid expectations of approval for the first spot Bitcoin ETFs and the arrival of a more crypto-friendly administration in the White House), the cryptocurrency market has entered a period of turbulence. The October decline, triggered by unexpected external economic measures from the US (such as new trade tariffs and increasing geopolitical tensions), led to a record wave of margin position liquidations totaling over $19 billion. Since then, Bitcoin and several major altcoins have struggled to return to recently reached heights. November emerged as one of the worst months in recent years: the month-over-month price drop was the largest since 2021, significantly cooling the optimism of some investors.

However, when comparing current prices to the beginning of 2025, many crypto assets still exhibit significant growth. Several altcoins (for instance, XRP and Solana), despite the current dip, are trading well above the levels seen at the end of 2024 thanks to previously achieved successes (regulatory clarity for XRP, technological advances for Solana, etc.). Bitcoin's share of the total market capitalization hovers around 55–60%, indicating investors’ desire to maintain a substantial portion of their funds in the most reliable digital asset during times of market uncertainty. Current player sentiment can be characterized as cautious optimism: the cryptocurrency fear and greed index, while having slightly risen after recent turmoil, still signals a predominance of fear elements. Market participants are awaiting further signals—from macroeconomic data to advancements in launching new investment products (such as upcoming crypto ETFs or institutional services)—before a confident upward trend can resume.

Regulatory News

• USA: The regulatory landscape of the cryptocurrency industry in 2025 has significantly clarified. After years of discussions, US authorities gave the green light to the first spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, marking an important milestone for the legitimization of crypto assets. Moreover, financial regulators officially allowed US banks to act as custodial guardians of cryptocurrencies for clients, paving the way for pension and investment funds to invest safely in digital assets. Despite these advancements, oversight bodies continue to monitor the market closely: the SEC still requires compliance with securities laws for token issuance, and new rules for stablecoins and cryptocurrency exchanges focusing on investor protection are under discussion in Congress.
• Europe: In the European Union, a comprehensive regulatory framework known as MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) has come into effect, establishing uniform rules for the cryptocurrency market across the EU. This means clearer requirements for token issuers, exchanges, and wallet providers in areas such as registration, reserve adequacy, and anti-money laundering measures. European crypto firms have generally perceived MiCA positively, as uniform regulation facilitates their operations across all markets in the union. Meanwhile, authorities in individual EU countries continue initiatives to implement CBDCs (central bank digital currencies) and test blockchain solutions in the public sector.
• Asia and other regions: The Asia-Pacific region maintains a mixed approach to cryptocurrencies. On one hand, Hong Kong has launched regulated retail trading platforms for crypto assets in 2025, while Singapore has expanded licensing requirements, simultaneously encouraging blockchain innovations. On the other hand, mainland China continues to impose strict limitations on cryptocurrency activities for the public, emphasizing its own digital yuan. In several other countries (such as the UAE and Switzerland), there is ongoing active formation of crypto-friendly jurisdictions with clear rules for business, attracting blockchain startups and investment funds there. Overall, by the end of 2025, regulatory clarity in key jurisdictions has significantly increased, reducing legal risks for the industry and boosting trust from traditional investors.

Blockchain Technological Updates

• Ethereum – Fusaka Hard Fork: In December, the Ethereum network successfully activated a major protocol upgrade codenamed Fusaka. This hard fork marked the second significant upgrade for Ethereum this year and aimed at increasing the blockchain's base throughput. The update increased the gas limit per block, improved compatibility with Layer 2 solutions, and added optimizations for smart contracts. These changes will help reduce transaction fees and accelerate operations on the network, considering the increasing load from DeFi applications. Ethereum continues its roadmap towards further scaling (eventually implementing Danksharding) and enhancing network security.
• Bitcoin – Scalability and New Use Cases: In 2025, there were no hard forks in the Bitcoin main network; however, the ecosystem surrounding the first cryptocurrency has been dynamically developing. The capacity of the Lightning Network (a second-layer solution for quick micropayments) reached record levels for total channel capacity, expanding Bitcoin's practical applications in retail payments and remittances. Simultaneously, the Bitcoin community actively discusses a number of improvement proposals (BIPs) aimed at increasing network privacy and functionality, such as partially signed transactions and so-called "covenants" for more flexible fund management. Moreover, cross-chain initiatives have gained traction: the emergence of Bitcoin Ordinals protocols and other solutions for issuing tokens on the BTC blockchain demonstrated that even conservative Bitcoin can support new use cases (like issuing NFT collections, stablecoins, etc.) without altering its fundamental consensus.
• Other Blockchain Projects: Among altcoins, 2025 has been marked by several technological breakthroughs. The Solana platform substantially improved reliability after critical updates — failures in its network, which marked the previous year, have virtually ceased. Solana developers are preparing to implement parallel transaction execution technologies (such as via the Firedancer client-accelerator), which could exponentially increase network throughput. Cardano has progressed in implementing scaling protocols: the launch of the Hydra solution for creating off-chain channels is expected to increase transactions per second without overloading the main network. Moreover, the rapid development of second-layer (L2) networks for Ethereum, such as Polygon, Arbitrum, and Optimism, has solidified their position as an integral part of the industry, offering cheap and fast transactions. The total value locked (TVL) in these L2 platforms has risen significantly over the year, reflecting demand for solutions that relieve the main Ethereum network. New projects at the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence, promising synergistic opportunities (such as decentralized AI platforms), have also emerged, although these are still in early stages of development. Overall, the technological progress in the crypto industry shows no signs of slowing down: each update enhances efficiency, security, and the appeal of blockchains for businesses and users.

Institutional Investments

• Breakthrough with Crypto ETFs Launch: The departing year has marked a historic breakthrough for institutional integration — for the first time, spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies have appeared on traditional exchanges. In the US, and subsequently in a number of other countries, regulators approved the trading of exchange-traded funds that directly invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum. Major Wall Street companies (including investment giant BlackRock) have become issuers of such funds. Since the launch of trading, they have attracted significant capital: the combined capital inflow in the first months amounts to billions of dollars. For instance, on one December day, US Bitcoin ETFs received over $200 million in investments. The emergence of accessible exchange-traded instruments based on crypto assets has significantly increased trust from conservative players — pension funds, insurance companies, and banks that previously avoided direct purchases of digital coins.
• Involvement of Banks and Payment Systems: Major banks and financial corporations in 2025 expanded their presence on the crypto market. Many Wall Street banks launched custodial services for cryptocurrency storage for wealthy clients, as well as established trading divisions for digital asset operations. Global payment giants begun to integrate blockchain technologies into their products: for example, PayPal issued its own stablecoin (PYUSD) to simplify digital settlements, and Visa implemented the ability to conduct cross-border payments using Solana blockchain and USDC stablecoin, significantly speeding up and reducing costs of international transactions. Such actions from traditional financial institutions indicate increased institutional demand for cryptocurrencies and recognition of them as a legitimate asset class.
• Corporate Treasuries and Venture Capital: Institutional acceptance of crypto assets has manifested in the corporate sector as well. An increasing number of S&P 500 companies are including Bitcoin in their treasury reserves or investing in blockchain startups. Notable enthusiast Michael Saylor, through his company MicroStrategy (which has transformed into a holding company), continued to increase BTC reserves on its balance sheet, although after the autumn volatility, he warned of the potential onset of another "crypto winter." Venture investments in the industry also revived: major funds (Andreessen Horowitz, Binance Labs, etc.) announced the launch of new investment products aimed at Web3 projects, decentralized finance, and blockchain+AI initiatives. The influx of institutional and venture capital in 2025 supported the market during downturns and ensured funding for infrastructure development solutions.
• Role of Sovereign Funds and States: An important trend has been the increased participation of governmental structures in the crypto market. Sovereign wealth funds from countries in the Middle East and Asia have made notable investments: from purchasing shares in global exchanges to directly acquiring top cryptocurrencies for their portfolios. Some central banks — for instance, El Salvador, where Bitcoin has official payment status — have increased their cryptocurrency reserves amid a declining dollar. In the US, regulators have finalized the legitimization of the possibility for banks to service clients wishing to invest in digital assets, easing access to cryptocurrencies for pension and investment funds through familiar financial intermediaries. These shifts indicate a firm establishment of institutional and even government players within the crypto market ecosystem, enhancing its liquidity and resilience.

Major Hacks and Scams

• Record Hacker Attacks: Despite the overall maturation of the industry, 2025 has been one of the most challenging years in terms of the volume of funds stolen due to hacks. In the first six months, criminals stole cryptocurrency worth over $2 billion, and by the end of the year, the figure approached historic lows. The most notorious incident was the February attack on one of the leading exchanges, Bybit, when hackers withdrew approximately $1.5 billion in digital assets — an unprecedented sum for a single hack. Experts estimate that this attack was carried out by North Korean hacker groups, which became active in 2025 and are collectively responsible for about $2 billion in stolen assets. The stolen assets were subsequently laundered through complex transaction chains, mixers, and decentralized exchanges, complicating their traceability.
• Vulnerabilities in DeFi Protocols: Decentralized financial platforms have also regularly become targets. Mid-year saw a wave of attacks on DeFi applications: for example, an exploit of a vulnerability on the popular decentralized exchange GMX resulted in losses of around $40 million, and an insider scheme was discovered on the Indian centralized exchange CoinDCX, leading to around $44 million being withdrawn. In total, the five largest hacks of DeFi platforms in July caused users losses exceeding $130 million. These incidents highlight the persistent risks of smart contracts: code errors, insufficient security audits, and sophisticated attack methods can lead to immediate financial losses, forcing DeFi users to maintain heightened vigilance.
• Frauds and Legal Consequences: Law enforcement agencies worldwide in 2025 intensified their fight against organizers of significant crypto scams from previous years. In New York, a trial against Do Kwon, co-founder of the failed stablecoin project Terra/Luna, is nearing completion: prosecutors are demanding more than 10 years in prison for defrauding investors of tens of billions of dollars. It is recalled that the collapse of the Terra ecosystem in 2022 triggered a domino effect of bankruptcies (including the notorious fall of the FTX exchange) and became one of the most instructive events for the industry. Additionally, international investigations into the activities of the creators of the OneCoin pyramid scheme and a number of dubious DeFi projects suspected of defrauding investors continue. Regulators and police have significantly ramped up the fight against fraudsters in the past year: dozens of arrests were made worldwide, with crypto assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars confiscated, and the first actual sentences were handed down to executives of bankrupt crypto companies. All this demonstrates that the era of unchecked schemes is nearing its end. However, users should remain vigilant — schemes for quick enrichment, "rug pull" projects, and phishing attacks continue to arise, especially surrounding new tokens and NFT collections.

Conclusions and Prospects

As 2025 comes to a close, the cryptocurrency market presents a mixed picture. On one hand, the industry has achieved impressive milestones: new price records were set in the first half of the year, digital assets increasingly integrated into traditional finance (through the launch of ETFs and banking services), and technological advancements enhanced the reliability and scalability of blockchains. On the other hand, the high volatility and a series of shocks (both external and internal) have reminded investors of the inherent risks associated with this asset class. In the near term, much will depend on the macroeconomic situation: further easing of monetary policy by leading central banks may boost demand for risk assets, but persistent uncertainty in the global economy (including the potential formation of a "bubble" in high-tech stock markets) will likely continue to influence sentiments in crypto.

Nevertheless, fundamental trends indicate ongoing maturation and growth in the crypto industry. Increased institutional participation brings greater liquidity and stability to the market, while expanding regulatory clarity in key regions lowers barriers for new large players. Technological innovations are expanding the applications of cryptocurrencies — from payment services and decentralized finance to gaming platforms and metaverse projects. Investors are advised to maintain a balanced approach: diversify their portfolio across major cryptocurrencies, closely monitor regulatory news and the adoption of crypto instruments by large companies, and most importantly — not neglect cybersecurity principles when handling digital assets. Entering 2026, the crypto market remains a dynamic and global phenomenon, capable of surprising with rapid growth as well as testing resilience through unexpected challenges. It is in such conditions that new opportunities arise for those investors willing to think strategically and for the long term.