As the final weekend of 2025 approaches, the crypto market is experiencing a noticeable pullback. The total market capitalization has dipped to around $2.92 trillion, marking a roughly 2.25% decline from yesterday’s highs. This slide comes amid thin holiday trading volumes, where low liquidity can amplify even minor selling pressure. Bitcoin, the market bellwether, has shed nearly 3% from its recent peak and is down about 1.8% over the past 24 hours.
Most major cryptocurrencies are in the red or barely moving: Ethereum is down 1.6%, XRP has slipped 1.2%, and the broader altcoin sector mirrors this caution. Yet, one privacy-focused coin stands out—Zcash is bucking the trend with a solid 5.3% gain. But what’s driving this downturn? Is it just holiday blues, or are there deeper signals pointing to more pressure ahead?
The crypto market has corrected more than 2% since yesterday, wiping out approximately $67 billion in value. Don’t be misled by any small green candles on the total market cap chart (TOTAL)—this is a clear retracement after yet another failed push to reclaim the $3 trillion milestone, a level lost on December 14 that bulls haven’t recaptured.
Currently, the market is trapped in a tight range between $3.00 trillion and $2.89 trillion. This indecision is typical for year-end periods, where trading volumes plummet as institutions and retail traders step back for holidays. Low liquidity means sellers have outsized influence, turning small dips into sharper declines.
Derivatives data from platforms like Hyperliquid adds color: long positions are being liquidated amid the weakness, while short interest is ramping up. This positioning suggests traders are bracing for further downside rather than betting on a quick rebound.
Bitcoin remains the king, dictating about 55% of the market’s direction. BTC is trading down 2% in the last 24 hours, stuck in a frustrating range it’s held for nearly two weeks: between $90,450 (resistance) and $86,380 (support).
The $90,450 level has been a stubborn ceiling since December 13, rejecting multiple upside attempts. Without flipping this to support, Bitcoin can’t muster the momentum needed for higher highs. On the flip side, weak weekend liquidity makes the lower boundary vulnerable. A break below $86,380 could cascade to $83,480 or even $80,500 if bearish sentiment intensifies.
To signal strength, BTC needs to reclaim and hold above $90,450. That would open the path to $93,580—near its 2025 opening price—and restore some confidence heading into 2026. Until Bitcoin leads, the total market cap will struggle to break free from its current rut.
Beyond technicals, recent headlines are weighing on sentiment:
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently critiqued the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), warning it could foster a “no-space” internet by censoring controversial content. He advocates limiting algorithmic amplification over outright erasure—a nuanced take that indirectly spotlights the value of privacy coins like Monero and Zcash. While regulations tighten, this narrative could drive niche interest in shielded transactions, even if mainstream adoption lags.
Binance’s CZ highlighted a breach in the Trust Wallet Chrome extension, where $7 million was stolen—likely via insider access. Trust Wallet plans full reimbursements, but the incident underscores vulnerabilities in browser extensions and update pipelines. In a market already jittery, security scares erode trust and prompt profit-taking.
On-chain activity shows divergence. Bitmine Immersion staked another 79,296 ETH (worth ~$232 million), pushing its total to 154,176 ETH—a bullish vote of confidence in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake ecosystem. Conversely, Sharplink unstaked 35,627 ETH, pulling liquidity amid uncertainty. Net staking growth signals long-term HODLing, but short-term unstaking adds selling pressure.
While majors bleed, Zcash (ZEC) is up over 5%, trading near $468. This resilience stems from a bull-flag breakout on December 17, projecting a potential 57% measured move to $591.
For bulls to stay in control:
Zcash’s 30-day correlation with Bitcoin is a lowly -0.10, meaning it often moves inversely. Combined with Vitalik’s privacy push, this decorrelation explains its outperformance. In downtrends, low-beta assets like ZEC can serve as relative safe havens.
For the total market:
Bitcoin’s path:
| Level | Status | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| $93,580 | Target | Bullish breakout |
| $90,450 | Resistance | Must flip for upside |
| $86,380 | Support | Break risks deeper fall |
| $80,500 | Major Support | Panic zone |
Broader context: 2025 has been a year of range-bound action post-halving, with macro factors like potential rate cuts in 2026 looming. Holiday dips are common, but prolonged failure at $3T could test holiday conviction.
The crypto market down today reflects a perfect storm of low liquidity, technical rejection, and headline risks. Yet, it’s not all doom—staking conviction and privacy coin resilience hint at underlying strength. Watch Bitcoin’s $90K battle closely; a win there could spark a year-end rally into 2026.
Traders should prioritize risk management: scale out of longs near resistance, eye shorts on breakdowns, and consider Zcash for diversification. As always, DYOR and stay tuned for real-time updates. The market’s indecision won’t last forever—position accordingly.
Keywords: crypto market analysis, bitcoin price prediction, why is crypto down, zcash price, ethereum staking news
Discuss this news on our Telegram Community. Subscribe to us on Google news and do follow us on Twitter @Blockmanity
Did you like the news you just read? Please leave a feedback to help us serve you better
Disclaimer: Blockmanity is a news portal and does not provide any financial advice. Blockmanity's role is to inform the cryptocurrency and blockchain community about what's going on in this space. Please do your own due diligence before making any investment. Blockmanity won't be responsible for any loss of funds.
In the fast-paced world of Web3 gaming, few moves capture attention like a massive token…
Introduction: A Clash of Blockchain Titans In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, few rivalries capture…
Exposes Cracks in Cryptocurrency Security In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, where fortunes can be…
Releases Cryptocurrency ATM Survey for the Public In a bold move to combat rising crypto…
What Is ? Complete Guide (2025 Update) In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, few events…
Can Cryptocurrency Make You a in 2026? Dogecoin (DOGE) has long been the wild child…