Cryptocurrency News September 16, 2025 — Bitcoin at $115,000 and Altcoin Growth

Cryptocurrency Market Update – September 16, 2025: Bitcoin Holds Steady at $115,000, Ethereum Approaches All-Time Highs, Altcoins Set New Records. Analysis of the Top 10 Cryptocurrencies and the Impact of Regulators on the Market.

At the beginning of the week, the cryptocurrency market is demonstrating strong momentum. Bitcoin is maintaining its position close to its historical high, while numerous altcoins are outpacing it in terms of growth. Such cryptocurrency news attracts the attention of investors from the CIS region and around the globe, as they assess the prospects of the digital asset market amid upcoming regulatory decisions and macroeconomic changes.

Bitcoin Consolidates at Historic Heights

Bitcoin (BTC) has recently been trading around the $115,000 mark, slightly retreating from the record value of approximately $124,000 recorded in August. Attempts to break through the $116,000 level have faced profit-taking by several large long-term holders. According to blockchain data, some "old" investors (often referred to as OGs) have transferred significant volumes of BTC to exchanges and partially realized profits after the price breached the six-figure levels. However, institutional interest in Bitcoin remains robust: for example, MicroStrategy increased its portfolio to 638,985 BTC this week, purchasing an additional 525 BTC at around $114,500 per coin. Thus, even at historical highs, Bitcoin is still perceived by major players as a long-term asset. The overall increase in BTC's price since the beginning of the year exceeds 20%, and many analysts anticipate a traditionally strong fourth quarter based on previous cycles of cryptocurrency growth.

Ethereum Approaches All-Time Highs

Ethereum (ETH) is strengthening near its historical values. The ETH price reached approximately $4,500, less than 10% below its record peak of around $4,950 reached at the end of August. After a recent correction, Ethereum has resumed its upward trend; technical indicators (e.g., Parabolic SAR) suggest an active bullish trend. Major holders ("whales") continue to build their positions in ETH, anticipating accelerated performance for this asset relative to Bitcoin. Investor confidence in Ethereum is further bolstered by the development of its ecosystem—from network scaling to new DeFi and NFT applications. ETH's proximity to its all-time high is attracting increased market attention, as a successful breakout above the psychologically significant $5,000 level could pave the way for new records.

Altcoin Rally Gains Momentum

The market capitalization of alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) is increasing at an accelerated pace, indicating the onset of another "altseason." Many major altcoins have set all-time highs or approached them in 2025, attracting significant capital inflows. Among the leading gainers in recent weeks, we can highlight:

• XRP (Ripple) – reached a new record around $3, surpassing peaks from 2018 on the backdrop of positive news regarding legal disputes and growing interest in Ripple's technology for international payments.
• BNB (Binance Coin) – rose to approximately $920, exceeding its previous high; this growth is attributed to the active use of the Binance Smart Chain and the expansion of the Binance ecosystem.
• Solana (SOL) – climbed to around $230, returning to late 2021 levels. Investors have renewed their faith in the project following improvements in network stability and significant investments into the Solana ecosystem.
• TRON (TRX) – appreciated to approximately $0.34, setting a new all-time high. This was fueled by high demand for stablecoins on the TRON blockchain and the widespread adoption of the network in the Asian region.
• Cardano (ADA) – surpassed the $0.85 mark, showing a recovery in interest towards the Cardano smart contract platform after a prolonged consolidation period. Gradual technical upgrades are bolstering community confidence in ADA's long-term prospects.

The rapid growth of altcoins has reduced Bitcoin's share of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization to approximately 57% (down from around 65% earlier in the year). The total market capitalization of digital currencies has closely approached $4 trillion, reflecting a growing appetite among investors for risk assets within the cryptocurrency market.

Meme Cryptocurrencies: Volatility and New Products

High-risk "meme" cryptocurrencies, such as Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), are exhibiting increased volatility in mid-September. After last week's rise, DOGE retraced about 10% in a day, while SHIB fell by 6%. This is attributed to profit-taking and the redistribution of investor funds in favor of major altcoins. However, even amid this correction, the penetration of meme tokens into traditional finance continues. In particular, the first ETF focusing on a basket of meme cryptocurrencies has recently emerged in the market, bringing Dogecoin and similar assets closer to Wall Street. The launch of such an ETF indicates a demand for new ways to invest in this segment, although the volatility of these assets remains extremely high.

Institutional Interest and Crypto Firms Going Public

Interest from large investors in cryptocurrencies continues to rise. Beyond direct investments in Bitcoin from companies (notably, MicroStrategy is not the only example), traditional financial players are eager to offer cryptocurrency products to their clients. Several crypto firms have announced plans to go public: for instance, the exchange Gemini and blockchain fintech Figure Technologies are gearing up for an IPO this fall, while several companies (Circle, Bullish, among others) have already successfully raised capital through public stock offerings in 2025. Institutional engagement is also evidenced by the launch of new crypto funds and exchange-traded products geared towards digital assets. The inflow of capital from professional investors enhances market liquidity and fosters its gradual maturation.

Macroeconomics and Regulation

Market sentiments are influenced by several external factors:

• Federal Reserve Policy: The U.S. central bank may lower the base rate as early as September, creating more favorable conditions for risk assets. Expectations for a softening of monetary policy are reflected in the market: lower bond yields make investments in Bitcoin and other crypto assets more attractive to investors.
• Crypto-ETF Launch: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reviewing applications for multiple crypto ETFs, including funds based on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and various altcoins (Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, etc.). Approval for such products could attract new institutional capital and broaden investment opportunities in cryptocurrencies via traditional market instruments.
• European Regulation: A unified set of rules for the industry (MiCA regulation) is coming into force in the European Union. Regulators in several EU countries are already calling for enhanced oversight of the sector under the new norms. Increased scrutiny from authorities towards the crypto market aims to bolster transparency and protect investors, which in the long term could strengthen trust in digital assets.
• Bitcoin Halving Cycle: Following the planned halving of miners' rewards in spring 2024, historically, Bitcoin has reached new price peaks within 12–18 months. The year 2025 falls within this post-halving period, and many anticipate that the reduction in BTC supply amid stable demand will drive market growth in the current cycle.

Collectively, these factors shape the macroeconomic and regulatory backdrop against which investors evaluate the prospects of cryptocurrencies in the second half of 2025.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency (~$115,000 per BTC). Bitcoin serves as "digital gold," with a market capitalization around $2.3 trillion and set a new historical high in 2025, solidifying its status as a barometer for the entire crypto market.
2. Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest digital asset by market capitalization (~$4,500, with a capitalization of approximately $550 billion). The smart contract platform underpinning DeFi and NFT ecosystems; ETH is now closely approaching its record price level, reflecting the high demand for the Ethereum network.
3. Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar (1 USDT = $1). Issued by Tether and supported by fiat currency reserves; capitalization ~ $80 billion. USDT provides high liquidity in the market, serving as the primary means of exchange between cryptocurrencies.
4. Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and its blockchain platform, BNB Chain (~$917 per coin). BNB is used for fee payments and smart contracts within the Binance ecosystem; its capitalization (~$145 billion) ranks it among the market leaders, while in 2025, it reached a price record amid the growth of the platform.
5. XRP (Ripple) – the token of the Ripple payment network for banking transfers (approximately $3.0). XRP achieved its historical high in 2025 following favorable outcomes in legal disputes and expanded adoption of Ripple's technology by banks; the market value of the token exceeded $170 billion.
6. USD Coin (USDC) – the second most significant stablecoin issued by the Centre consortium (with Circle and Coinbase participation). USDC is backed by dollar reserves (1 USDC = $1) and has a capitalization of around $50 billion. It is widely used in trading and DeFi, characterized by transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
7. Solana (SOL) – a high-speed blockchain platform (L1) for smart contracts and applications (~$233). SOL attracts DeFi and NFT projects due to its low fees and scalability; in 2025, SOL's price saw a significant increase (capitalization > $100 billion), recovering after the downturn in 2022.
8. Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most recognized "meme" cryptocurrency created as a joke (approximately $0.26). Despite its ironic origins, DOGE ranks in the top 10 with a capitalization of around $40 billion and enjoys popularity among retail investors. In 2025, ETF products focused on Dogecoin also emerged in the market, reflecting interest in this asset in traditional markets.
9. TRON (TRX) – a platform for decentralized applications and content (~$0.34). The TRON network is widely used for issuing stablecoins (including USDT) and cross-border payments; in 2025, TRX achieved an all-time high, with its project capitalization reaching approximately $30 billion. TRON is popular in the Asian region and continues to expand its ecosystem.
10. Cardano (ADA) – a third-generation blockchain platform with a research-oriented approach to development (~$0.86). The Cardano project is implementing phased technological upgrades; ADA maintains a position among the top ten cryptocurrencies (capitalization around $30 billion) and is gradually restoring its standing as the smart contract ecosystem grows.

Market Outlook

Overall, sentiment in the cryptocurrency market remains cautiously optimistic for the second half of September. The "fear and greed" index for cryptocurrencies fluctuates in a neutral zone, indicating the absence of overheated expectations. Many participants hope for continued growth in the fourth quarter—historically the strongest time for Bitcoin and altcoins—especially if favorable scenarios unfold (easing of Federal Reserve policies, the launch of ETFs, etc.). However, some analysts urge caution: the market may have already priced in positive expectations, and a new surge in growth is not guaranteed. The principle of "buy the rumor, sell the news" serves as a reminder that following the release of long-awaited positive news, profit-taking and corrections may be likely.

Nonetheless, compared to previous cycles, the cryptocurrency industry has matured significantly. The presence of institutional players is increasing, the regulatory environment is becoming clearer, and infrastructure (ETFs, banks, custodial services) is improving. All of this enhances trust in digital assets. Despite continued high volatility, the cryptocurrency market will continue to attract investors, offering new opportunities for capital growth within a changing economic landscape.