Bitcoin at $88,000 and Ethereum Around $2,900: What’s Ahead for Crypto Markets?

Bitcoin is trading near $89,000, with Ethereum below $3,000 on 26 December, while other major cryptocurrencies such as Solana, Cardano, and XRP are showing notable movements amid evolving market conditions.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $88,703, up 1.42 per cent in the last 24 hours, whereas Ethereum rose 1.30 per cent to $2,965. Binance Coin (BNB) edged up 0.10 per cent to $840, XRP increased 0.11 per cent to $1.86, and Solana gained 0.74 per cent to $122.79, reflecting market movements as the year comes to a close.

The total cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at $2.98 trillion, up 0.92 per cent in the last 24 hours, while 24-hour trading volume surged 27.97 per cent to $85.45 billion.

Key Factors Behind Crypto Market Movements

Crypto experts highlight several factors influencing crypto prices as the year draws to a close.

Ashish Singhal, co-founder, Coinswitch, said: “Bitcoin has been consolidating after its recent rally, trading in a relatively narrow range over the past few days. As the holiday period begins, trading volumes have eased in line with typical seasonal trends. Geopolitical developments, especially Washington’s stance on Venezuelan oil flows, have kept the broader market tense, supporting a tilt toward safe-haven assets even as crypto holds its ground.”

Bitcoin See Steep Drops From All-Time-High

While Bitcoin trades near $88,000, it remains almost 30 per cent below its all-time high of $126,198 reached on 7 October, marking a notable pullback in the cryptocurrency market.

On Bitcoin’s decline, Edul Patel, CEO, Mudrex, said: “Bitcoin’s drop from its all-time high is driven by macroeconomic uncertainty and tightening liquidity. The 43-day US government shutdown delayed key economic data, creating uncertainty around interest rates and affecting investor confidence.”

He added that profit-taking by large holders as Bitcoin neared record levels intensified selling pressure, while exchange-traded fund (ETF) outflows further amplified the downside.

Ethereum has also seen a significant pullback, trading near $2,965 on 26 December, down nearly 40 per cent from its all-time high of $4,953.

Looking Ahead: Crypto Market In 2026

As 2026 approaches, focus shifts towards Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other significant cryptocurrencies. Experts expect 2026 to focus on regulation, participation, and long-term market stability.

Vikas Gupta, country manager, Bybit India, said, “As we move into 2026, the cryptocurrency sector is entering a phase of strategic consolidation. The significant volatility of late 2025, especially the extreme fear of November, shows market sensitivity to global macroeconomic changes. While sentiment has improved, traders remain cautious, yet stronger institutional participation and clearer compliance frameworks point to a constructive long-term outlook for 2026.”

“The market conditions for 2026 look optimistic, supported by improving macro and on-chain fundamentals. With Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange reserves near multi-year lows, selling pressure is reduced, and long-term holding is stronger,” adds Patel. He added that regulatory clarity and rising institutional participation point to a healthier, more sustainable bull cycle.

Ashish said that 2025 brought regulatory clarity, which boosts global investor confidence and enables long-term participation. He added, “In 2026, crypto growth will concentrate on utility and real use cases across payments, wealth management, tokenization, and on-chain infrastructure, with compliance and sustainable models as key differentiators."