Weekly Crypto Update: Holiday Lull Keeps Markets Range-Bound

The week of December 22 to 28, 2025 reflected classic holiday market behavior across crypto. With traders and institutions stepping away for Christmas and year-end breaks, liquidity thinned and volatility compressed. The total crypto market capitalization oscillated between $2.9 trillion and $3.1 trillion, ultimately closing with minimal net change for the week. Trading volumes dropped sharply as participation slowed, reinforcing a sideways structure across majors. While sentiment leaned cautious, the absence of aggressive selling suggested exhaustion rather than panic. This consolidation phase stood in contrast to the sharp moves seen earlier in Q4 and hinted at a market waiting for fresh catalysts. Let us now dive into key movers and catalysts in this weekly crypto update.

Weekly Crypto Update: Top Gainers

• $CC (+41%) – Rallied on unusually high trading volume on Bybit, drawing short-term momentum flows.
• $AVNT (+40%) – Gained steadily as volume picked up following a prolonged accumulation phase.
• $QRL (+39%) – Moved higher ahead of its quantum-safe bridge launch, fueling narrative-driven interest.
• $ICNT (+28%) – Benefited from strong social momentum and a sharp price breakout.
• $XPL (+26%) – Advanced after notable stablecoin inflows into the Plasma ecosystem.

Weekly Crypto Update: Top Losers📉

• $BEAT (–52%) – Corrected sharply as traders locked in profits after a strong multi-week uptrend.
• $FLOW (–43%) – Sold off following reports of a blockchain exploit, weighing heavily on confidence.
• $TRIBE (–29%) – Drifted lower amid low liquidity and lack of fresh catalysts.
• $RTX (–29%) – Extended losses as trading volume dried up after an earlier price dump.
• $XPIN (–26%) – Pulled back after failing to sustain momentum from its recent rebound.

Bitcoin and Ethereum: Sideways Into Year-End

Bitcoin (BTC) remained range-bound throughout the holiday week. BTC traded mostly between $88,000 and $91,000, briefly dipping below support on Christmas Eve before recovering. By week’s end, BTC was flat to down ~1–2%, reflecting low conviction rather than directional selling.

Spot ETF flows were muted, with light outflows adding to the lack of upside momentum. Despite this, BTC held key support zones, preventing deeper downside during thin liquidity conditions.

Ethereum (ETH) mirrored BTC’s consolidation. ETH slipped modestly, down ~1–3%, as whale activity remained mixed. On-chain activity stayed stable, but DeFi TVL declined modestly as investors de-risked into year-end. ETH held its broader structure, though upside remained capped without renewed volume.

Solana (SOL) underperformed slightly, drifting ~2–4% lower, while Binance Coin (BNB) and XRP moved largely sideways, each down less than 2% amid subdued participation.

Altcoins, Rotation, and Market Breadth

While majors stalled, selective altcoins saw movement tied to volume spikes, ecosystem inflows, and narrative catalysts. Importantly, sell pressure across the broader market remained limited. Funding rates normalized, derivatives positioning stayed stable, and forced liquidations were largely absent.

This environment allowed isolated pumps linked to launches, TGEs, and unlock-related rotations, while the majority of tokens remained range-bound. The market showed signs of capital preservation rather than distribution.

Macro and Sentiment Check

Market sentiment leaned bearish, with the Fear & Greed Index dipping near 23, reflecting extreme caution. However, this fear appeared passive rather than reactive, driven by inactivity more than panic.

Macro developments offered mixed signals. Precious metals stole the spotlight, with gold and silver hitting record highs, reinforcing a broader hard-asset narrative. Historically, such moves often precede renewed interest in risk assets once liquidity rotates.

Despite crypto lagging metals in the short term, rising expectations of easier monetary conditions in 2026 kept longer-term optimism intact.

Weekly Crypto Update : Key Takeaways

• Crypto market cap ranged between $2.9T–$3.1T, ending mostly flat.
• BTC consolidated between $88K–$91K with low volume.
• ETH slipped modestly but held structural support.
• Holiday liquidity sharply reduced volatility.
• Select altcoins outperformed on volume and narratives.
• Sell pressure remained notably low.
• Sentiment stayed in extreme fear, but without panic.

Outlook: Calm Before the Rotation?

As the year closes, markets appear to be resting rather than breaking. Thin liquidity and subdued participation are likely to persist into early January, but historically, such compression phases often precede stronger directional moves.

If liquidity returns alongside improving macro signals, oversold segments and narrative-driven alts could lead the next leg. Until then, patience remains the dominant strategy.

Conclusion

This week was less about price discovery and more about preservation. Crypto entered holiday hibernation mode, with fear high but selling contained. The market feels paused, not finished. As 2025 ends, the groundwork appears set for renewed activity heading into 2026.