Cryptocurrency News for December 19, 2025: Bitcoin Drops Below $90,000, Pressure on Altcoins, Institutional Interest, and a Review of the Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies for Investors.
As of the morning of December 19, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is facing pressure following a significant correction that followed a sharp rise earlier this year. Bitcoin's price has dropped below the psychological barrier of $90,000, reducing the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies to approximately $2.9 trillion. In the wake of Bitcoin's decline, major altcoins—led by Ethereum—are also experiencing price decreases; many of the top 10 digital assets are trading significantly below their peak values. Nevertheless, institutional investors continue to show interest in cryptocurrencies, with some leveraging the current downturn to increase their investments amid mixed macroeconomic signals and gradual improvements in industry regulation.
Bitcoin Below $90,000 Amid Correction
In recent days, Bitcoin (BTC) fell below the key level of $90,000 for the first time in nearly two months. On December 17, the price of the leading cryptocurrency briefly dropped to approximately $85,000 on some exchanges before partially recovering; BTC is currently trading around $87,000. The current quote is nearly 30% below its all-time high of around $125,000 reached in October. Bitcoin’s market capitalization is estimated at about $1.75 trillion, accounting for approximately 60% of the overall cryptocurrency market capitalization.
Analysts note that the recent decline in Bitcoin is attributed to a combination of factors. Investors have begun to lock in profits following a prolonged rally, while increased selling on Asian cryptocurrency exchanges is exacerbating the pressure on prices. At the same time, demand from institutional players in the U.S. remains strong; regulated venues are seeing capital inflows as large investors buy up coins released onto the market. Additionally, miner activity influences the market: due to a drop in mining profitability, some mining pools are selling part of their BTC reserves, increasing short-term supply. Nonetheless, fundamental network metrics are encouraging—Bitcoin’s total "realized capitalization" recently reached a record $1.12 trillion. This indicates that the total amount invested in BTC (considering the purchase price of coins) is at a historic maximum despite the correction, reflecting the confidence of long-term holders.
Ethereum Drops Below $3,000
Following Bitcoin’s decline, Ethereum (ETH) is also under pressure. For the first time in recent weeks, the price of ETH has slipped below the psychological barrier of $3,000 and is currently hovering around $2,830. The current price is roughly 40% lower than the recent peak of around $4,600 recorded in August 2025. Ethereum’s market capitalization stands at about $340 billion, making up approximately 12% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization, securing its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency asset.
Ethereum remains a fundamental platform for smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi), which helps sustain demand for ETH. However, the current correction has also impacted ETH: over the past 24 hours, the altcoin has decreased by about 4%, slightly more than Bitcoin. Institutional interest in Ethereum has not waned—throughout 2025, record capital inflows were observed in Ethereum ETFs following their launch in the U.S. in the summer of 2024. Large investment funds view ETH as a promising asset linked to the development of blockchain infrastructure. Additionally, Ethereum developers are preparing network upgrades aimed at enhancing scalability and reducing fees, which should strengthen ETH’s position in the long term.
Altcoins Under Pressure
The broader alternative cryptocurrency market reflects the overall downward trend. Over the past 24 hours, most major altcoins in the top 10 have decreased by 2-5%, deepening the correction that has persisted for several weeks. The total market capitalization of altcoins (excluding BTC) has now declined to approximately $1.17 trillion, retreating from peak values this year (around $1.7 trillion). Many popular tokens are trading significantly below their highs. For example, Ripple (XRP) is holding around $1.90 (down from approximately $3 following Ripple’s legal victory over the SEC), and Solana (SOL) has fallen to about $125 after rising above $190 last fall.
Some large altcoins are demonstrating relative resilience. Binance Coin (BNB) is trading around $840, close to its historical peaks, despite the overall market decline and ongoing regulatory pressures on Binance. Overall, investors are partially shifting to less volatile assets, leading to a slight increase in Bitcoin’s market share: BTC now accounts for around 60% of the market capitalization, compared to approximately 58% a few months prior.
Institutional Interest in Cryptocurrencies
Despite market fluctuations, institutional investors continued to expand their presence in the cryptocurrency market in 2025. In the U.S., a significant event has been the introduction of the first spot ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum, which have opened convenient access for large funds and banks to digital assets. Total investments in cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds have reached record levels, amounting to billions of dollars. Asset managers, hedge funds, and various pension and sovereign wealth funds are incorporating cryptocurrencies into their portfolios, viewing them as a new promising asset class.
The industry is also receiving signals of support from prominent players. For instance, MicroStrategy, under the leadership of Michael Saylor, continues to accumulate Bitcoin even amid the correction, increasing its BTC reserves to a record level. Noteworthy is the attention from sovereign funds: Norway's largest investment fund publicly supported a Bitcoin-related initiative for the first time this year. Such moves from institutional investors provide long-term support to the market and enhance confidence among a broader investor base.
Regulation and Macroeconomics
The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in 2025 is gradually improving in key jurisdictions. In the U.S., after prolonged legal battles in recent years, some clarity has emerged: court rulings (including Ripple's partial victory in its dispute with the SEC) have established important precedents, and Congress is discussing legislation on stablecoins and the taxation of digital assets. The European Union is implementing a comprehensive MiCA regulatory framework, which is establishing unified requirements for the industry and attracting companies with predictable regulations. In Asia, authorities hold mixed positions: Hong Kong and Singapore are striving to become crypto hubs by introducing clear rules for trading digital assets, while China maintains stringent restrictions on cryptocurrency operations.
The overall macroeconomic backdrop also influences the cryptocurrency market. Major central banks (the U.S. Federal Reserve, the ECB) are maintaining high-interest rate policies by the end of 2025; however, inflation in these economies is declining, leading to expectations of a gradual easing of monetary conditions in 2026. This factor has the potential to sustain demand for riskier assets, including cryptocurrencies, following a period of tightening. The political situation in the U.S. attracts investors' attention: the administration of President Donald Trump proclaims its support for innovation and refrains from excessive pressure on the crypto industry (in particular, the initiative to create a government reserve in Bitcoin is under discussion). Overall, clearer regulations and economic stabilization reduce uncertainty and create a foundation for renewed capital inflows into the cryptocurrency market.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
The explosive summer rise of cryptocurrencies has shifted to a phase of heightened volatility and caution among investors. The "Fear and Greed Index" for the cryptocurrency market has dropped to approximately 45 points, indicating a state of "fear" (the index was above 70 in the "greed" zone last fall). This reflects a palpable cooling of optimism: market participants are now much more inclined to reduce risks in anticipation of further price declines.
Statistics regarding liquidation of margin positions also confirm market nervousness. Over the past 24 hours, positions worth over $300 million, primarily in long contracts on altcoins, have been forcibly closed on cryptocurrency exchanges. Such episodes demonstrate that excessive use of leverage remains a significant risk: sudden price fluctuations can "wipe out" both bearish and bullish positions if traders overly indulge in margin trading.
Forecasts and Expectations
Despite the current price downturn, many analysts remain optimistic about the future of the cryptocurrency market. A number of forecasts from major financial institutions retain their "bullish" outlooks. For instance, reports from an international bank previously suggested the possibility of Bitcoin rising to $150,000–200,000 by the end of 2025; while these targets now appear overly aggressive, some experts anticipate similar levels to be reached in 2026.
Observers note that historically, market cycles following Bitcoin halving have included several months of rallies. They believe that the current decline is a phase of intermediate consolidation before a new growth stage. With improvements in the macroeconomic environment, the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies may return to record highs and surpass the $5 trillion mark in the following year. At the same time, skeptics caution against lingering risks: if tight monetary policy persists or regulators tighten requirements, the growth of crypto assets may be constrained. Overall, under favorable economic conditions and continued inflows of institutional capital, most experts expect a gradual restoration of the upward trend in 2026.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of December 19, 2025, the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization are as follows:
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $86,450 after the recent correction; its market capitalization stands at ~$1.75 trillion (approximately 60% of the entire market).
- Ethereum (ETH) — the leading altcoin and platform for smart contracts. The price of ETH is approximately $2,834, significantly lower than record levels, with a market capitalization of around $340 billion (approximately 12% of the market).
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar (1:1). USDT is widely used for trading and payments, with a capitalization of about $150 billion; the coin maintains a stable price of $1.00.
- Ripple (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border transactions. XRP is trading at approximately $1.90, with a market capitalization of about $110 billion. Investors have positively assessed the legal clarity of XRP’s status in the U.S., which has previously advanced the token to market leadership. Despite pulling back from peak levels, XRP remains among the largest crypto assets.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the native token of the BNB Chain. BNB is valued at around $840, close to its historical maximum; market capitalization is about $130 billion. Despite regulatory pressures surrounding Binance, the token remains in the top five due to its wide applicability on the exchange and in the DeFi ecosystem.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications. SOL is trading around $124 (market capitalization ~$50 billion) after impressive growth this year. Interest in Solana is fueled by expectations of possible ETF approval for this asset in the U.S. and the growth of the project ecosystem based on it.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin, backed by U.S. dollar reserves (issuer — Circle). The price of USDC is maintained at $1.00, with a market capitalization of about $60 billion. USDC is widely used by institutional investors and in DeFi protocols due to its high transparency of reserves.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform focusing on a research-based approach to development. ADA is priced at around $0.65 (market capitalization ~$20 billion) following a pullback from recent local peaks. The project attracts attention owing to plans for launching its own ETF and an active community that believes in long-term price growth for ADA.
- TRON (TRX) — a platform for smart contracts and multimedia dApps, especially popular in Asia. TRX is trading at around $0.25; market value is about $23 billion. TRON maintains its position in the top 10 partly due to its network's use for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on TRON's blockchain).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, initially created as a joke. DOGE hovers around $0.12 (market capitalization ~$17 billion), supported by community loyalty and occasional attention from celebrities. While Dogecoin's volatility remains high, this coin still ranks among the largest, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest.
The Cryptocurrency Market on the Morning of December 19, 2025
Prices of Major Cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin (BTC): $86,450
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,834
- Ripple (XRP): $1.86
- Binance Coin (BNB): $844
- Solana (SOL): $124
- Tether (USDT): $1.00
Market Metrics:
- Total Cryptocurrency Market Capitalization: $2.91 trillion
- Bitcoin's Share: 59.8%
- Fear and Greed Index: 45 (Fear)
Daily Change Leaders:
- Growth: Uniswap (UNI) — +4%
- Decline: Conflux (CFX) — -11%
Analysis: Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to face resistance near current levels, while the sentiment index has shifted into the fear zone, reflecting overall market caution. The local rise of Uniswap suggests that positive news for individual projects can still support their prices even during a general downturn. Simultaneously, the double-digit drop of Conflux indicates high nervousness: investors are likely locking in profits or reacting to adverse news surrounding this altcoin. Overall, the situation remains tense: many traders are reducing risks and closely monitoring key support levels (e.g., around $80,000 for BTC) to assess the market's future direction.
