Cryptocurrency News for Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Bitcoin trades 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 exhibiting mixed volatility. Bitcoin attempted to break the $90,000 mark while Ethereum temporarily surpassed $3,000. However, a full-fledged holiday rally did not materialize: prices quickly retreated as markets await clarity on regulatory initiatives and external risks. Investors are acting cautiously amid macroeconomic fluctuations, yet institutional demand remains a positive factor.
Bitcoin Fluctuates Near Record Levels
On Monday, December 29, BTC exhibited unusual activity for the holiday period. During Asian trading hours, Bitcoin's price increased by approximately 3%, surpassing $90,200 but retreated below $88,000 by Tuesday morning as profit-taking ensued. As a result, "cryptocurrency gold" did not support the traditional Christmas rally: despite a general recovery in stock markets, Bitcoin corrected. Bitcoin's volatility remains elevated as investors await new signals from global regulators.
Ethereum and Altcoins Show Growth
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum, outperformed among large coins. The price of ETH rose by over 4%, exceeding the $3,000 mark. This success is partly driven by positive expectations—as developers approved plans for grand updates to the network (the hard forks "Glamsterdam" and "Hegota"), aimed at improving its throughput and security (including the introduction of Verkle trees).
Furthermore, there is a noted increase in interest in altcoins within the cryptocurrency market. For example, Solana and Binance Coin added more than 3% in the last 24 hours, while Bitcoin’s share in total market capitalization fell below 60%. These figures indicate growing demand for alternative projects: due to high transaction speeds and low fees, Solana and BNB have become appealing instruments in DeFi and payments. Other projects such as Cardano and Chainlink continue to enjoy popularity due to their underlying technologies.
Institutional Investors Increase Holdings
Large institutional players continue to accumulate cryptocurrency assets. According to analysts, corporate "digital asset treasuries" have raised their Bitcoin reserves to approximately 5% of the total coin supply (over $95 billion), while the volume of ETH held by such funds approaches 5% of the issuance (around $18 billion). Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin and Ethereum are also attracting significant amounts: assets under management for such funds stand at 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 who held BTC for more than five years) sold coins worth tens of billions of dollars, particularly following the record price in October. These sales have exerted pressure on the market; however, institutional purchases have partially offset this effect. Ultimately, large investors continue to buy "on the dip," and the market anticipates new growth drivers.
Regulation and Global Landscape
Globally, regulators are clarifying the rules for digital assets. In the U.S., the administration continues its course to support the industry: in 2025, a law on stablecoins (GENIUS Act) was enacted, and there are discussions regarding establishing a state reserve of cryptocurrencies from confiscated funds. The European Union is implementing the DAC8 directive starting January 1, 2026, which requires exchanges and providers to provide tax authorities with detailed information about client transactions and allows for the freezing of accounts in the case of tax evasion. Additionally, in Russia, the Central Bank has completed preparation of the cryptocurrency regulation concept, expanding access to them for qualified and ordinary investors.
Top 10 Most 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 issuance. Amid overall volatility, Bitcoin maintains its status as a foundational asset for investors and continues to attract significant institutional investments.
- Ethereum (ETH) — the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and a leading smart contract platform. Ethereum supports an extensive ecosystem of DeFi and NFT applications. Updates aimed at increasing throughput and reducing fees are scheduled for 2026, enhancing ETH's long-term investment appeal.
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar. Tether provides high liquidity in the market and serves as the main "crossing" asset for traders between various cryptocurrencies. With its 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 on the Binance Smart Chain. 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 focused on rapid international transfers and is supported by various financial institutions for optimizing settlements. Despite regulatory challenges, XRP remains in demand as a means for interbank transactions.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin issued by Circle. USDC is stable due to continuous backing in dollars and audit transparency. 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 for its transaction processing speed and low fees, making it attractive for DeFi and NFT projects. SOL is among the leading performers among altcoins.
- TRON (TRX) — a blockchain platform initially focused on entertainment content and decentralized applications. TRX is the primary token of the Tron network, used for service payments and staking. The platform attracts users with 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. Due to its popularity among the general public and support from influencers, DOGE remains one of the most recognizable cryptocurrencies.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain built on a scientifically based approach (Ouroboros consensus). Cardano provides smart contract functionality with an emphasis on security and scalability. ADA has a stable community and is continuously evolving, solidifying its position as one of the significant projects in the crypto ecosystem.
Trends for 2026
Analysts expect the continuation of established trends into the next year. Venture capital funds highlight key areas: the integration of artificial intelligence into crypto services, growth in the stablecoin market, and the development of new lending models on the blockchain. These factors indicate a shift toward a more institutional market. The main risks remain macroeconomic instability and the pace of regulatory reforms, while the main drivers are technological innovations and support from large investors. As a result, by 2026, the cryptocurrency market is preparing to become more mature and diversified.
