Cryptocurrency News for Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Bitcoin is trading around $90,000, Ethereum strengthens above $3,000, altcoins show growth. Market overview and top 10 cryptocurrencies for investors.
At the beginning of the last week of December, global cryptocurrencies are demonstrating mixed volatility. Bitcoin attempted to breach the $90,000 mark, while Ethereum temporarily exceeded $3,000. However, a full-fledged holiday rally did not materialize: quotes quickly retraced as markets await clarity on regulatory initiatives and external risks. Investors are acting cautiously amid macroeconomic fluctuations, but institutional demand remains a positive factor.
Bitcoin Fluctuates Around Record Levels
On Monday, December 29, BTC exhibited unusual activity for the holiday period. During Asian trading hours, the price of Bitcoin rose by approximately 3%, surpassing $90,200, but by Tuesday morning, it retraced below $88,000 amid profit-taking. Thus, "digital gold" did not support the traditional Christmas rally: despite a general recovery in stock markets, Bitcoin corrected. Bitcoin's volatility remains heightened as investors await new signals from global regulators.
Ethereum and Altcoins Demonstrate Growth
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum, performed best among major coins. The price of ETH rose by over 4%, surpassing the $3,000 mark. This success is partly due to positive expectations — developers have approved plans for grand updates to the network (the "Glamsterdam" and "Hegota" hard forks), aimed at enhancing its throughput and security (including through the implementation of Verkle trees).
Additionally, there is a noticeable increase in interest towards altcoins in the cryptocurrency market. For instance, Solana and Binance Coin added more than 3% over the last 24 hours, while Bitcoin's dominance over the overall market capitalization fell below 60%. These figures indicate a growing demand for alternative projects: due to high transaction speeds and low fees, Solana and BNB have become attractive tools in DeFi and payments. Other projects, such as Cardano and Chainlink, remain popular due to their valuable technologies.
Institutional Investors Increasing Positions
Major institutional players continue to bolster their reserves of crypto assets. Analysts estimate that corporate "treasuries of digital assets" have increased their Bitcoin holdings to approximately 5% of the total supply of the coin (over $95 billion), while the volumes of ETH held by such funds are nearing 5% of the total supply (around $18 billion). Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin and Ethereum are also attracting significant amounts: assets under management for such funds amount to about $113 billion in Bitcoin and nearly $18 billion in Ethereum.
Meanwhile, some long-term holders are reducing their positions. Reports indicate that in 2025, "old" holders (those holding BTC for over five years) sold coins valued in the tens of billions of dollars, especially following the record price in October. These sales have put pressure on the market; however, institutional purchases have partially offset this effect. Ultimately, large investors continue to confidently buy on dips, as the market awaits new growth drivers.
Regulation and Global Landscape
Worldwide, regulators are clarifying the rules for digital assets. In the United States, the administration continues its support for the industry: in 2025, a stablecoin law (the GENIUS Act) was passed, and the formation of a government reserve of cryptocurrencies from confiscated funds is under discussion. The European Union introduces the DAC8 directive from January 1, 2026, requiring exchanges and providers to furnish detailed information about client transactions to tax authorities, allowing for account freezes in case of tax evasion. Additionally, in Russia, the Central Bank has completed the preparation of a cryptocurrency regulation concept, expanding access to them for qualified and regular investors.
Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Often referred to as "digital gold" for its role as a safe-haven asset and limited supply. Amid overall volatility, Bitcoin maintains its status as the foundational asset for investors and continues to attract significant institutional investment.
- Ethereum (ETH) — the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and a leading platform for smart contracts. Ethereum supports an extensive ecosystem of DeFi and NFT applications. Upgrades aimed at improving throughput and reducing fees are planned for 2026, enhancing the long-term investment attractiveness of ETH.
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. Tether provides high liquidity in the market and serves as the primary "transfer" asset for traders between various cryptocurrencies. With a stable price and recognition on leading exchanges, USDT remains popular.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the internal token of the Binance exchange ecosystem. BNB is used to pay fees on the platform, participate in token sales, and operates within the Binance Smart Chain blockchain. The expansion of Binance services and the popularity of projects on this platform make BNB a sought-after instrument.
- XRP (Ripple) — the cryptocurrency of the Ripple payment network. XRP is aimed at facilitating fast international transfers and is supported by numerous financial institutions to optimize settlements. Despite regulatory challenges, XRP maintains demand as a means of interbank transactions.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin by transaction volume, issued by Circle. USDC is stable due to continuous backing in dollars and transparency in audits. This token is widely used in trading and DeFi applications for liquidity storage alongside Tether.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain for decentralized applications. Solana stands out with its high transaction processing speed and low fees, making it appealing for DeFi and NFT projects. SOL is among the leaders in returns among altcoins.
- TRON (TRX) — a blockchain platform originally aimed at entertainment content and decentralized applications. TRX is the main token of the Tron network, used for service payments and staking. The platform attracts users with its high throughput and partnerships with media projects.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — a meme coin created for humorous purposes. Dogecoin has no issuance limit and is supported by an active community. Thanks to its notoriety among the general public and endorsements from influencers, DOGE remains one of the most recognizable cryptocurrencies.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain built on a scientific approach (Ouroboros consensus). Cardano provides smart contract functionality with a focus on security and scalability. ADA has a stable community and continually evolves, solidifying its position as one of the significant projects in the crypto ecosystem.
Trends for 2026
Analysts anticipate the continuation of established trends in the coming year. Venture funds are spotlighting key areas: integration of artificial intelligence into crypto services, growth of the stablecoin market, and development of new lending models on the blockchain. These factors indicate a transition to a more institutionalized market. The primary risks remain macroeconomic instability and the pace of regulatory reforms, while the main drivers are technological innovations and support from major investors. As a result, by 2026, the crypto market is preparing to become more mature and diversified.
