Share
Share this article
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail
Markets
Share
Share this article
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail
Bitcoin, ether drop more than 22% in Q4 as D
Markets
Share
Share this article
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail
Bitcoin, ether drop more than 22% in Q4 as D
Bitcoin, ether drop more than 22% in Q4 as December ‘Santa rally’ fizzles
Bitcoin, ether drop more than 22% in Q4 as December ‘Santa rally’ fizzles
The market's focus is now on whether bitcoin can maintain its support levels into the new year, as the failed rally may signal a need for a deeper market reset.
By Shaurya Malwa|Edited by Sam Reynolds
Updated Dec 31, 2025, 5:35 a.m. Published Dec 31, 2025, 5:31 a.m.
What to know:
- Bitcoin and ether ended December without the expected year-end rally, highlighting the fragility of crypto markets when liquidity is low and risk appetite declines.
- Repeated attempts by bitcoin to reclaim key levels were unsuccessful, and the quarter ended with a negative performance, contrasting with the strong performance of precious metals like gold.
- The market's focus is now on whether bitcoin can maintain its support levels into the new year, as the failed rally may signal a need for a deeper market reset.
Bitcoin and ether ended December with little sign of the year end burst traders often bank on, capping a quarter that shows just how fragile crypto rallies can look when liquidity thins and risk appetite slips.
The so-called ‘Santa rally’ never really arrived. Instead, repeated attempts by bitcoin to reclaim key levels were sold into, while ether and large cap tokens followed lower.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
Sign me up
Bitcoin is on track to end December down about 22%, its worst month since December 2018, while ether is on track to end Q4 2025 down 28.07%, according to data curated by CoinGlass.
A 'Santa rally' is the tendency for markets to rise in the final week of December and early January, driven by thin liquidity, year-end portfolio rebalancing, and upbeat holiday sentiment.
That weak finish matters because crypto has historically relied on strong late-year flows to set up early-cycle momentum. This time, December looked more like a positioning reset than the start of a new leg higher.
With bitcoin’s fourth-quarter performance turning sharply negative, the quarterly tape now reads as risk off rather than risk on.
(Coinglass)
The contrast with precious metals has been hard to miss.
Gold has pushed to fresh records on rate cut expectations and geopolitical stress, while silver has surged and platinum has also hit new highs, as previously reported by CoinDesk.
Gold has benefited from steady central bank demand and rising ETF allocations, reinforcing its role as a reserve-style hedge when investors are uneasy.
Bitcoin, by comparison, has traded more like a high beta asset. Even when the macro backdrop points toward easier policy, bitcoin has struggled to hold gains without a broader bid for risk.
The pattern has become familiar in late 2025, where bounces have been met by fast profit taking, leverage has been reduced during the holidays, and U.S. hours have tended to see the heaviest selling as funds clean up positions.
Volatile yields and a choppy dollar have kept investors in capital preservation mode, a setup that tends to favor gold first and speculative assets later.
The first test will be whether bitcoin can hold its recent support zones into the new year. If it cannot, the failed Santa rally may be remembered as an early warning that the market still needs a deeper reset before the next sustained run.
Bitcoin Newsbtc
More For You
State of the Blockchain 2025
Commissioned byInput Output Group
L1 tokens broadly underperformed in 2025 despite a backdrop of regulatory and institutional wins. Explore the key trends defining ten major blockchains below.
What to know:
2025 was defined by a stark divergence: structural progress collided with stagnant price action. Institutional milestones were reached and TVL increased across most major ecosystems, yet the majority of large-cap Layer-1 tokens finished the year with negative or flat returns.
This report analyzes the structural decoupling between network usage and token performance. We examine 10 major blockchain ecosystems, exploring protocol versus application revenues, key ecosystem narratives, mechanics driving institutional adoption, and the trends to watch as we head into 2026.
View Full Report
More For You
Bullish calls of XRP to jump 300% in 2026 do the rounds again, implying $8 target
Standard Chartered predicted XRP could rise to $8 by 2026 in an April note, supported by improved U.S. regulatory clarity and institutional interest.
What to know:
- XRP's price remained stable around $1.87 despite increased trading volume, indicating market positioning rather than panic.
- Standard Chartered predicts XRP could rise to $8 by 2026, supported by improved U.S. regulatory clarity and institutional interest.
- The upcoming January escrow unlock could trigger sharp price movements, with $1.85 being a critical support level to watch.
Read full story
Latest Crypto News
Bullish calls of XRP to jump 300% in 2026 do the rounds again, implying $8 target
David Beckham-backed Prenetics ditches bitcoin purchase
South Korea’s long-awaited crypto law stalls over who can issue stablecoins
Grayscale files for first U.S. Bittensor ETP as decentralized AI gains momentum
Bitcoin rises above $89,000, showing rare gain in U.S. trading
CoinDesk 20 Performance Update: Ethereum (ETH) Gains 1.8% as Index Moves Higher
Top Stories
Grayscale files for first U.S. Bittensor ETP as decentralized AI gains momentum
Bullish calls of XRP to jump 300% in 2026 do the rounds again, implying $8 target
Long-term holders turn net accumulators, easing a major bitcoin headwind
David Beckham-backed Prenetics ditches bitcoin purchase
In 2025, bitcoin showed how spectacularly wrong price forecasts can be
Metaplanet buys 4,279 bitcoin, lifts total holdings to 35,102 BTC
Market Opportunity
Moonveil Price(MORE)
$0.002198
$0.002198$0.002198
USD
Moonveil (MORE) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.
You May Also Like
Why It Could Outperform Pepe Coin And Tron With Over $7m Already Raised
The post Why It Could Outperform Pepe Coin And Tron With Over $7m Already Raised appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Crypto News 17 September 2025 | 20:26 While meme tokens like Pepe Coin and established networks such as Tron attract headlines, many investors are now searching for projects that combine innovation, revenue-sharing and real-world utility. BlockchainFX ($BFX), currently in presale at $0.024 ahead of an expected $0.05 launch, is quickly becoming one of the best cryptos to buy today. With $7m already secured and a unique model spanning multiple asset classes, it is positioning itself as a decentralised super app and a contender to surpass older altcoins. Early Presale Pricing Creates A Rare Entry Point BlockchainFX’s presale pricing structure has been designed to reward early participants. At $0.024, buyers secure a lower entry price than later rounds, locking in a cost basis more than 50% below the projected $0.05 launch price. As sales continue to climb beyond $7m, each new stage automatically increases the token price. This built-in mechanism creates a clear advantage for early investors and explains why the project is increasingly cited in “best presales to buy now” discussions across the crypto space. High-Yield Staking Model Shares Platform Revenue Beyond its presale appeal, BlockchainFX is creating a high-yield staking model that gives holders a direct share of platform revenue. Every time a trade occurs on its platform, 70% of trading fees flow back into the $BFX ecosystem: 50% of collected fees are automatically distributed to stakers in both BFX and USDT. 20% is allocated to daily buybacks of $BFX, adding demand and price support. Half of the bought-back tokens are permanently burned, steadily reducing supply. Rewards are based on the size of each member’s BFX holdings and capped at $25,000 USDT per day to ensure sustainability. This structure transforms token ownership from a speculative bet into an income-generating position, a rare feature among today’s altcoins. A Multi-Asset Platform…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 03:35
Crypto Shows Mixed Reaction To Rate Cuts and Powell’s Speech
The post Crypto Shows Mixed Reaction To Rate Cuts and Powell’s Speech appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Jerome Powell gave a speech justifying the Fed’s decision to push one rate cut today. Even though a cut took place as predicted, most leading cryptoassets began falling after a momentary price boost. Additionally, Powell directly addressed President Trump’s attempts to influence Fed policy, claiming that it didn’t impact today’s decisions. In previous speeches, he skirted around this elephant in the room. Sponsored Sponsored Powell’s FOMC Speech The FOMC just announced its decision to cut US interest rates, a highly-telegraphed move with substantial market implications. Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve, gave a speech to help explain this moderate decision. In his speech, Powell discussed several negative economic factors in the US right now, including dour Jobs Reports and inflation concerns. These contribute to a degree of fiscal uncertainty which led Powell to stick with his conservative instincts, leaving tools available for future action. “At today’s meeting, the Committee decided to lower the target range…by a quarter percentage point… and to continue reducing the size of our balance sheet. Changes to government policies continue to evolve, and their impacts on the economy remain uncertain,” he claimed. Crypto’s Muted Response The Fed is in a delicate position, balancing the concerns of inflation and employment. This conservative approach may help explain why crypto markets did not react much to Powell’s speech: Bitcoin (BTC) Price Performance. Source: CoinGecko Sponsored Sponsored Bitcoin, alongside the other leading cryptoassets, exhibited similar movements during the rate cuts and Powell’s speech. Although there were brief price spikes immediately after the announcement, subsequent drops ate these gains. BTC, ETH, XRP, DOGE, ADA, and more all fell more than 1% since the Fed’s announcement. Breaking with Precedent However, Powell’s speech did differ from his previous statements in one key respect: he directly addressed claims that President Trump is attacking…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 09:01
Here’s why Polygon price is at risk of a 25% plunge
Polygon price continued its freefall, reaching its lowest level since April 21, as the broader crypto sell-off gained momentum. Polygon (POL) dropped to $0.1915, down 32% from its highest point in May and 74% below its 2024 peak. The crash…
Share
Crypto.news2025/06/19 00:56