Cryptocurrency Market Update as of November 15, 2025: Bitcoin Dips Below $100,000, Ethereum Prepares for Upgrade, Altcoins Decline. Top 10 Cryptocurrency Overview and Market Trend Analysis.
As of the morning of November 15, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is under pressure following a significant correction over the past few days. The price of Bitcoin has fallen below the psychological threshold of $100,000 for the first time in six months, marking a new low since May and reducing the overall capitalization of digital assets to approximately $3.4 trillion. Leading altcoins, spearheaded by Ethereum, have also seen price declines, with many in the top-10 retreating from their recent highs. Investors are proceeding with caution amid heightened macroeconomic risks and signals from the US Federal Reserve regarding a potential delay in interest rate cuts. Nevertheless, institutional interest in cryptocurrencies remains robust due to the emergence of new investment products and the gradual improvement of the regulatory environment.
Bitcoin: Loss of the Key $100,000 Level
The largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC), reached a new all-time high of approximately $125,000 at the beginning of October, after which it underwent a predicted correction. This week, the decline accelerated: for the first time since May, BTC fell below the psychologically significant level of $100,000, recording a low around $95,000. Consequently, Bitcoin has retreated nearly 24% from its peak, and the current week may potentially mark its third consecutive week of losses.
The pressure on BTC has intensified due to a global flight of investors from risky assets. Signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve regarding its reluctance to hasten interest rate reductions have dampened market optimism. The likelihood of a December policy easing by the Fed has dropped from approximately 90% to 50%, removing one of the catalysts for Bitcoin’s growth. Nevertheless, long-term holders of BTC remain confident: many substantial investors are using the dips to increase their positions, viewing Bitcoin as digital gold and a hedge against inflation.
Ethereum: Decline Ahead of Network Upgrade
The second-largest cryptocurrency asset, Ethereum (ETH), has also felt market pressure. After strong growth in the first half of 2025, Ethereum experienced a significant correction: at the beginning of November, ETH’s price fell nearly 20%, briefly dipping below $3,100, its lowest level in recent months. The price then rebounded to around $3,200; however, this still trails the October peak of approximately $3,900 and is about 20% below the historical high of 2021 ($4,867). The current market capitalization of Ethereum is approximately $450 billion (about 13% of the overall market).
Ethereum is influenced by both technological and macroeconomic factors. On one hand, investors are eagerly anticipating significant events: a major network upgrade aimed at enhancing scalability and reducing fees is scheduled for early December, and the industry is hoping for the approval of the first spot ETF on Ethereum in the U.S. before the year ends, which could attract new institutional capital. These expectations previously supported ETH's growth. However, in the short term, the negative backdrop has prevailed: heightened economic uncertainty has prompted a capital outflow from Ethereum funds (over $1.4 billion has been withdrawn from Ether ETFs since late October), and some long-term holders have started to take profits by selling ETH, further pressuring the price. Nevertheless, the base metrics for the network remain strong, and the community believes that the forthcoming upgrade will bolster Ethereum's position in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and application markets.
Altcoin Market: Correction Without Exceptions
Most major altcoins have followed Bitcoin downward. For instance, Ripple (XRP), which recently reached $3 following its victory over the SEC, has retreated to approximately $2.4, but it maintains a strong position due to anticipation surrounding the launch of an ETF and clarity regarding the token's status in the U.S. The Binance ecosystem token (BNB), despite legal difficulties surrounding the exchange, remains in the top-5; it recently climbed to around $900 due to widespread use in exchange and DeFi services.
Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) have experienced notable corrections after their autumn rallies: SOL's price has fallen from around $200 to approximately $150, while ADA has decreased from $1 to $0.5. Nevertheless, these projects remain in the top ten as investors believe in their long-term potential. Also, the meme cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE) and the Tron platform (TRX) continue to hold positions in the top-10, supported by their respective dedicated communities and the active use of the Tron network for stablecoins.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
The sharp price fluctuations over the past days have impacted sentiment indicators. The "fear and greed" index, which was recently in the "greed" zone, has dropped to neutral levels, indicating a cooling off of euphoria among market participants. The volatility has triggered mass liquidations of margin positions: in a single day, over $500 million worth of trades were forcibly closed on cryptocurrency exchanges, primarily from long positions of traders betting on price increases. Experts emphasize that such a correction after a period of excitement is a healthy occurrence; however, they caution investors about the need to exercise caution and avoid excessive leverage.
Institutional Interest Remains High
In 2025, institutional investors have significantly increased their presence in the crypto market. Although a number of funds have recently taken profits, major players are not exiting the market—cryptocurrencies continue to be viewed by them as a promising asset class. The submission of applications for new crypto ETFs (including those for XRP, Solana, and others) reinforces the intention of institutional investors to expand their involvement in the sector. The influx of professional capital remains one of the key drivers of the cryptocurrency market.
Regulation: The U.S. and Europe
In the U.S., there is a trend toward softening the authorities' stance on the crypto industry. Congress is advancing legislative initiatives aimed at clarifying the rules for exchanges and token issuers, and the new SEC leadership is demonstrating a more lenient approach: the regulator has withdrawn lawsuits against several major crypto exchanges and stated that only a small fraction of tokens fall under securities laws. The administration of Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to reach a compromise by pardoning Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ). These steps are creating a favorable legal environment for the U.S. market, promising businesses clear regulations and investor protections.
In Europe, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation will come into effect at the end of the year, establishing uniform requirements for the industry across all EU countries. The document covers the operations of exchanges, wallet providers, and the issuance of stablecoins. Several large crypto companies have already received licenses under the new rules, creating predictable operating conditions and a balance between innovation and security. EU regulators continue to engage in dialogue with the industry and are examining potential risks—additional restrictions for global stablecoins are being discussed, although the measures outlined in MiCA are currently sufficient to manage the situation.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) — ~$95,000 (≈55% market share). The first and largest cryptocurrency remains a key indicator for the entire market. Despite the recent downturn, BTC retains its status as "digital gold" for investors, sustaining long-term demand.
- Ethereum (ETH) — ~$3,200 (≈12% market share). The leading smart contract platform and second-largest digital asset. The transition to Proof-of-Stake and deflationary emissions have strengthened Ethereum’s position, and the anticipated network upgrade and potential ETF launch continue to attract investor interest despite recent fluctuations.
- Tether (USDT) — ~$1.00. The largest stablecoin pegged to the dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT provides high liquidity in the market, acting as a "safe haven" for capital during volatility. With a capitalization of around $160 billion, the stablecoin consistently maintains its parity with the dollar due to full reserve backing.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — ~$900. The token of the largest crypto exchange Binance and a primary asset of the BNB Chain. It is used to pay fees and access new projects. Despite regulatory pressures, BNB remains in the top-5 due to widespread adoption and community support.
- USD Coin (USDC) — ~$1.00. The second-largest stablecoin (issued by a consortium led by Circle). Fully backed by dollar reserves, it is considered one of the most reliable digital assets. Approximately $75 billion USDC are in circulation.
- XRP (Ripple) — ~$2.3. The token of the Ripple network for fast cross-border payments. In 2025, XRP surpassed $3 for the first time in 7 years due to Ripple's victory over the SEC and expectations surrounding the ETF launch. After the correction, it is trading around $2.4, remaining among the largest assets. XRP attracts banks with the efficiency of the Ripple technology and the legal clarity of the token's status.
- Solana (SOL) — ~$150. A high-performance Layer 1 blockchain known for fast transactions and low fees. SOL saw significant growth in 2025 due to the expansion of its ecosystem (DeFi, NFTs) and expectations for the Solana ETF launch. Despite the pullback, Solana remains close to its recent highs.
- Cardano (ADA) — ~$0.50. A blockchain platform using a Proof-of-Stake algorithm and a scientific approach to development. Although the price of ADA is far from its records, the coin remains in the top ten due to its substantial market capitalization and active community. Interest in ADA has risen amid plans to launch an ETF; following a surge and retreat, investors remain optimistic about the project's long-term prospects.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — ~$0.16. The most well-known meme cryptocurrency, created as a joke. DOGE remains among the leaders due to its dedicated community and sporadic attention from celebrities.
- TRON (TRX) — ~$0.30. The token of the Tron platform, focusing on decentralized online services and media. Tron attracts users with low fees and high network throughput. TRX has secured its place in the top-10 largely due to the active use of the Tron network for stablecoins.
Thus, in mid-November, the crypto market is pausing after a rapid rally—investors are reassessing risks and prospects. The outcomes of regulatory decisions and upcoming events (such as the Ethereum upgrade) will largely determine the dynamics of the industry as we approach year-end.
