Global Cryptocurrency News, Sunday, December 28, 2025: Bitcoin on the Verge of $90,000, Altcoins and Market Sentiment, Institutional Trends, and Top 10 Cryptocurrencies
Current cryptocurrency news as of December 28, 2025: the digital asset market is consolidating in the final days of the year. Bitcoin remains near the $88,000 mark, demonstrating resilience even after recent fluctuations. Major altcoins, including Ethereum, are gradually regaining ground after a volatile start to the week; many digital assets in the top 10 are showing moderate growth. Investors—both retail and institutional—are exhibiting cautious optimism, driven by an improving regulatory environment and ongoing interest from major players in crypto-assets.
Cryptocurrency Market: Consolidation Towards Year-End
The global cryptocurrency market is approaching the close of 2025 with a total capitalization of about $3 trillion, just below the record levels attained during this year's rally. Recent days have seen a moderate decline in prices (around 1% daily on December 27), reflecting investor caution ahead of the New Year celebrations. Trading volumes remain subdued due to the holiday lull, and market volatility is constrained amidst low liquidity. The "Fear and Greed" index for cryptocurrencies has dipped into the "fear" zone, signaling prevailing cautious sentiment among participants. Nonetheless, compared to the start of the year, the market has shown significant growth (with Bitcoin gaining over 100% year-to-date), despite the recent correction. Investors are carefully assessing prospects as they enter 2026, preferring a wait-and-see approach until new signals emerge.
Bitcoin: Consolidation Below $90,000 After Record Rally
The largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC), is currently trading relatively steadily, holding within a range of $87,000 to $89,000 and approaching the psychologically significant level of $90,000. In the fall, BTC reached an all-time high of around $126,000 (in October 2025); however, by December it had retraced approximately 30% from that peak. Such corrections are not unfamiliar to Bitcoin: in previous cycles (2017, 2021), following rapid price gains, declines of 30-50% were common with subsequent recoveries. The current decline is largely attributed to profit-taking and reduced leverage in the market, as many traders and funds have cut risk positions amidst partial capital outflows.
This week marked the largest cryptocurrency options expiration in history. On December 26, options worth a total nominal value of about $28 billion expired (including roughly $23.7 billion in Bitcoin), leading to increased short-term volatility and keeping BTC price near key strike levels. After the expiration date, pressure eased somewhat: analysts note that large options expirations often lead to neutral or moderately positive dynamics, as the market clears out restraining factors. Currently, key support for Bitcoin is in the $85,000 to $87,000 range, while resistance is around $90,000 to $93,000. A confident breakout above $90,000 could pave the way to new highs (with many anticipating movement towards $100,000); however, buyers are currently acting cautiously.
On-chain metrics are demonstrating a healthy picture. The influx of Bitcoins to exchanges from major holders (so-called "whales") is at a minimum for the current cycle, indicating a lack of panic selling from long-term investors. The supply of stablecoins in the market has reached record levels (approximately $300 billion total), reflecting a significant amount of "dry powder"—capital waiting for the right moment to enter the market. These factors instill confidence that after the consolidation phase, Bitcoin will be able to stabilize and resume growth as overall market conditions improve.
Ethereum: Network Activity High, Price Lags
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH), is holding around the $2,900 to $3,000 mark, remaining about 35-40% below its 2025 peak. Ethereum's price dynamics in recent months have lagged behind Bitcoin (ETH/BTC pairs have declined, reflecting partial capital rotation into BTC); however, fundamental network metrics for Ethereum are setting records. Recent protocol upgrades (including the activation of the Dencun upgrade package with Proto-Danksharding technology) have increased network throughput and reduced fees, stimulating a rise in usage. In December, the Ethereum network recorded an all-time high in daily load: approximately 1.9 million transactions processed in 24 hours with average fees below $0.20. This spike in on-chain activity is largely driven by an increase in stablecoin transactions and decentralized exchange (DEX) operations, demonstrating sustained demand for the Ethereum platform for financial applications.
Despite the improvements in network metrics, market factors continue to weigh on ETH price. As with Bitcoin, significant volumes of options on Ethereum (approximately $6 billion) are expiring this week, and the market is under the influence of these derivative levels. Additionally, many ETH holders still remain at a loss relative to the peak prices of this year, which limits short-term optimism. Nevertheless, Ethereum has shown a slight increase (~4%) over the past week, recovering from recent local lows. Experts note that further ETH dynamics will depend on the inflow of capital into the cryptocurrency sector in early 2026: as Bitcoin stabilizes, investors may once again turn their attention to Ethereum as a foundational asset of the decentralized finance ecosystem.
Altcoins: Mixed Trends Among Leading Coins
In the altcoin segment, mixed dynamics have been observed: some leading coins are steadily rising, while others are stagnating. Investors are reassessing their portfolios, focusing on projects with the strongest fundamental metrics. Below are some notable movements and trends among top altcoins:
- Solana (SOL) – one of the most prominent "stars" of recent years. The high-speed blockchain Solana is attracting developers and users, which has allowed the coin to confidently enter the market leaders. Currently, SOL is trading around $125 (market capitalization of about $70 billion) and has grown nearly 900% over the past three years, significantly outperforming Bitcoin's growth. Solana has recovered positions after technical issues last year and is viewed by some investors as a promising competitor to Ethereum due to its network's high throughput.
- XRP (Ripple) – the token of the Ripple payment network remains in the top 5 due to regained investor trust. In 2025, Ripple achieved significant legal victories in its disputes with regulators, eliminating the uncertainty that had long weighed on XRP. With this clarity, XRP is demonstrating relative stability: even as the market declined at year-end, investment products related to XRP (ETFs and trusts) continued to see capital inflows. This has made XRP a kind of "safe haven" among altcoins: the token's price is avoiding sharp drops, and institutional interest supports its stability.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance still ranks among the top ten by market capitalization. BNB serves the Binance Smart Chain ecosystem and provides holders with discounts on trading fees. In 2025, BNB did not showcase explosive growth and faced difficulties due to tightening regulations regarding centralized exchanges. However, the coin maintains significant capitalization, and the recent market rebound has helped BNB regain some lost ground. Investors are closely monitoring the situation around Binance: the further resilience of BNB will depend on the exchange's ability to adapt to new regulatory demands at the global level.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) and Cardano (ADA) – these popular cryptocurrencies are showing relatively weak dynamics toward the end of 2025. DOGE, known as a meme token, remains in the top 10 largely due to its dedicated community and support from several high-profile individuals; however, its price stagnates and has changed little in the past week. Cardano— a smart contract platform with a scientifically oriented development approach—has also not shown significant growth in recent months: its ADA token is trading in a narrow range around current levels. Both assets have suffered from capital rotation into more "trendy" projects, and their recovery will likely require new drivers such as technological upgrades or expanded practical applications.
- Hyperliquid (HYPE) – a new promising player in the Layer-1 sector launched in 2025. The Hyperliquid platform offers compatibility with Ethereum (thanks to HyperEVM technology) and high transaction processing speeds. The HYPE token has attracted investor attention, rising about 35% for the year, and is already being compared to Solana in terms of growth potential. Although Hyperliquid has not yet caught up with the veterans of the market in terms of capitalization, the project is demonstrating an upward trend due to its technical advantages. Experts believe that Hyperliquid could eventually aspire to a top 10 position if it maintains its growth pace and attracts more developers to its ecosystem.
Institutional Trends: Outflows from ETFs and Corporate Accumulation
In 2025, institutional investors played a notable role in the cryptocurrency market. One of the key events of the year was the launch of the first spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, which provided a significant boost to the market at the beginning of the year. However, by the end of December, the situation changed: as sentiment soured, those same ETFs became a "quick exit" for capital. In recent weeks, the largest Bitcoin funds have been experiencing outflows. For example, the flagship spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT from BlackRock) lost about $2.7 billion (approximately 5% of its assets) in capital withdrawal over the month leading up to the end of November. Such scale of outflows demonstrates how rapidly flows can change: what was once a driver of the rally can intensify price pressure as sentiment shifts.
Outflows are not only affecting Bitcoin but also Ethereum funds—as the year comes to a close, investors are withdrawing some capital from them. However, certain niche products on altcoins have become exceptions. There have been inflows into specific funds related, for instance, to Solana and XRP: in December they showed modest inflows of capital despite the overall trend. This indicates a growing diversification of interests: some institutional investors are seeking opportunities not only in BTC and ETH but also in other assets with high growth potential.
Parallel to the shifting sentiment in ETFs, large corporations and funds have continued strategic accumulation of cryptocurrencies. A notable example is Metaplanet, dubbed the "Asian MicroStrategy." In December, Metaplanet's shareholders approved an ambitious plan to acquire 210,000 BTC by 2027, which is equivalent to about 1% of the total Bitcoin supply. Currently, Metaplanet owns more than 30,000 BTC (accumulated since 2024) and plans to significantly bolster its crypto reserves by attracting capital in Asian markets and through additional stock issuance. This move indicates ongoing long-term confidence among major players in the potential of Bitcoin: despite volatility, companies view BTC as a strategic reserve asset. Overall, institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies has advanced in 2025—from the introduction of regulated investment products (ETFs) to direct placement of digital assets on corporate balance sheets. It is expected that this trend will continue in 2026, particularly as regulators clarify the "rules of the game," making digital assets more accessible and understandable to traditional financial institutions.
Investor Sentiment and the Influence of Macroeconomics
As of late December, sentiment in the cryptocurrency market remains cautious. Sentiment indicators, such as the "Fear and Greed" index, have been hovering in the "fear" zone for several weeks, reflecting a predominance of concerns over greed. Investors are troubled by a combination of factors: recent price corrections, record events in the derivatives market, as well as external macroeconomic signals.
As the year draws to a close, the influence of traditional markets on the crypto industry has intensified. Global stock indices and gold prices have reached all-time highs, indicating a sustained appetite for risk overall. However, the rise in yields on US government bonds (10-year UST reached approximately 4.2%, a peak in recent months) has created competition for capital: amid high rates, risk-free instruments appear more attractive, which could have amplified outflows from crypto-ETFs and pressure on digital asset prices.
Nevertheless, several macro factors are favorable for cryptocurrencies. In December, the US Federal Reserve took a pause in tightening monetary policy, and in 2026 markets anticipate a softening of the regulator's tone, which could potentially increase liquidity in the markets. In other regions, however, a tightening trend has emerged— for instance, the Bank of Japan has signaled gradual unwinding of ultra-loose policies, causing currency fluctuations. Such divergent actions by central banks heighten volatility in forex markets and indirectly impact the crypto industry, which is increasingly perceived as an asset class sensitive to global liquidity.
There are also positive signals within the cryptocurrency market itself. In addition to the previously mentioned record reserves of stablecoins and minimum selling activity from "whale" sellers, the volume of margin lending in DeFi protocols is decreasing—traders are consciously lowering risks, cleansing the market of overheated positions. All of this lays the foundation for a more robust state of the industry: when sentiment shifts to the positive, significant reserves of capital can quickly return to play. Experts recommend that investors adopt a balanced strategy: in the thin holiday market, avoid excessive leverage and wait for an increase in trading volumes and the return of institutional money. Many participants are currently taking a wait-and-see stance, observing how the market navigates the holiday period and large derivatives expirations.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency in the world. BTC is often compared to "digital gold" due to its limited supply and role as a protective asset. In 2025, Bitcoin reached new historical highs (over $120,000), attracting increased attention from both retail and institutional investors. Currently, BTC is trading around $88,000, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.7 trillion (dominance ~58% of the total market).
- Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest cryptocurrency and a leading platform for smart contracts. Ethereum underpins decentralized finance (DeFi), NFT ecosystems, and many blockchain applications. The ETH token is used to pay fees on the network and is in high demand among developers and users worldwide. The current price of ETH is around $3,000, which is below multi-year peaks; however, Ethereum's role in the crypto industry remains pivotal (capitalization around $350 billion, ~12% of the market).
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar (1 USDT = $1). USDT is widely used for trading and storing funds, providing connectivity between cryptocurrency and fiat markets. Its high market capitalization (about $150 billion) reflects the significant role of stablecoins in the crypto economy. USDT maintains a stable exchange rate due to full backing by reserves and remains an indispensable liquidity tool on most exchanges.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the Binance exchange and the Binance blockchain platform (BNB Chain). BNB is used for trading fee payments (with discounts for holders) and serves as "fuel" for transactions on the Binance Smart Chain. With a broad Binance ecosystem, the BNB token has solidified its position among leading cryptocurrencies by market valuation (capitalization around $100 billion). Despite regulatory pressures on Binance in various countries, BNB remains strong due to numerous use cases within the crypto ecosystem.
- USD Coin (USDC) – another popular stablecoin issued by the Centre consortium (which involves Coinbase and Circle). USDC is similarly pegged to the US dollar and is fully backed by reserves. Due to transparent reporting and compliance with regulatory standards, USDC has gained widespread adoption among institutional investors and has become the second-largest stablecoin in the world (capitalization around $60 billion).
- XRP (Ripple) – a cryptocurrency used in the Ripple payment network for fast interbank and international transfers. XRP is characterized by high transaction speeds and low fees. In 2025, interest in XRP increased due to legal clarity regarding the token's status: a favorable outcome in the US court case instilled confidence in the market. This allowed XRP to reclaim its position among the leaders (current price around $2.50, capitalization ~ $140 billion), re-entering the top 5 cryptocurrencies.
- Solana (SOL) – one of the fastest-growing blockchain projects, offering high transaction processing speeds and smart contract support. Solana attracts developers of decentralized applications and competes with Ethereum in the DeFi and NFT sectors, all while providing lower fees. SOL has secured its place in the top 10, buoyed by rapid ecosystem growth and investor optimism regarding the network's technical advantages (capitalization around $80 billion).
- Cardano (ADA) – a blockchain platform evolving with a focus on a scientifically validated approach and technology verification. The Cardano project is known for its gradual implementation of updates and pursuit of high reliability. ADA cryptocurrency is used within the Cardano network for staking and transaction payments. Despite slower development rates, Cardano has a large community and remains one of the largest cryptocurrencies by capitalization (~$28 billion), although its price (around $0.85) rose moderately in 2025.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most famous "meme" token, originally created as a joke but has become a phenomenon in the crypto market. DOGE does not aspire to seriousness; however, due to community support and endorsements from certain entrepreneurs (such as Elon Musk), its market capitalization soared, and the coin entered the ranks of leaders. Currently, Dogecoin continues to be used for microtransactions and tips online, remaining a pop culture symbol in the crypto-world (price around $0.18, capitalization ~$26 billion).
- TRON (TRX) – a blockchain platform focused on the entertainment sector and decentralized applications, as well as stablecoin support. TRON offers high throughput and virtually zero fees, making it popular for issuing and moving stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the TRON network). TRX token is used for transaction payments and executing smart contracts within the Tron network; the project maintains its standing among industry leaders, especially in the Asian region (capitalization around $27 billion, price ~$0.30).
Market Outlook for Early 2026
As the new year approaches, many analysts note that the cryptocurrency market is entering a phase of consolidation and qualitative development following the explosive growth of 2025. It is expected that 2026 will be characterized by more stable, gradual growth without extreme price surges. The foundations laid in the outgoing year—launch of ETFs, clarification of regulatory frameworks (e.g., implementation of the MiCA regulation in the EU), and technological updates of key blockchains—make the industry more mature and resilient to shocks.
In the short term, market participants will closely monitor the dynamics of institutional capital inflows after the holiday lull. If net inflows into crypto funds and ETFs resume in January 2026, it could serve as a catalyst for a new phase of price growth. The substantial reserves of stablecoins accumulated in accounts also point to potential for a rapid influx of liquidity once sentiment improves. At the same time, macroeconomic factors—including central bank decisions regarding interest rates—will continue to be crucial for risk appetite. Cryptocurrencies in 2025 have firmly integrated into the global financial landscape, and in 2026, their trajectory will depend on both internal factors (technology development, regulatory norm implementation) and the overall economic climate.
Thus, as the new year begins, investors should maintain balanced expectations. The global cryptocurrency market remains capable of surprises, but current trends indicate its gradual maturation. Strengthening infrastructure, increasing trust from institutions and communities, and enhancing transparency of the "rules of the game" may lay the groundwork for a new wave of industry development in 2026. With discipline and awareness of risks, crypto investors worldwide look to the future with cautious optimism.
