As 2025 draws to a close, the former president's favorable stance to digital currency has not proven to be enough to sustain the sector's advances, previously the driver behind broad optimism and excitement. The last few months of the year have seen an estimated $1 trillion in value erased from the digital asset market, even after bitcoin hitting an all-time-high price above $125,000 in early October.
A Short-Lived Peak Followed by a Historic Liquidation
The October price peak proved temporary. The flagship cryptocurrency's value plummeted shortly afterward after a declaration of sweeping tariffs on China created turmoil across the market in mid-October. Digital asset markets experienced an unprecedented $19 billion wiped out in 24 hours – a record-setting forced selling event ever documented. Ethereum, endured a 40% drop in price in the subsequent weeks.
Supportive Regulations Collides With Global Economic Forces
Crypto advocates was delivered the pro-bitcoin president they were promised throughout the election. Shortly after inauguration, an executive order was signed that repealed limitations against digital assets while enacting business-friendly rules alongside a presidential working group focused on crypto.
“The digital asset industry is a vital component in innovation and economic development nationally, as well as our Nation’s global standing,” stated the document.
Later in March, the announcement of a digital asset reserve sparked a significant rally in the market, with values of select named coins jumping more than sixty percent. Bitcoin itself went up ten percent immediately following the was announced.
Market Perspective: A "Risk-On" Asset
Digital assets is sensitive to both narratives and confidence in global markets, said a leading analyst. It’s what is called a risk-on asset, an investment that does better during periods of optimism about the economy and are willing to assume greater risk.
“The current government might support crypto, however, trade wars and rising interest rates trump positive vibes,” they continued. “And it’s also a stark reminder, especially for people in crypto, that macro forces really matter more than political support.”
Tumultuous Trading
In November, BTC suffered its most severe decline in price since 2021, pushing its price to less than $81,000. Although bitcoin regained a portion of the losses subsequently, the start of the final month with a fresh downturn, a six percent fall following a leading bitcoin holder cutting its earnings forecast due to the slide in digital asset values. Bitcoin’s price currently fluctuates around $90,000.
A "Crypto Winter" on the Horizon?
Market observers fear the industry may be heading into what's termed a prolonged bear market, a period of low activity and declining prices. The previous crypto winter lasted from late 2021 into 2023. Those years witnessed Bitcoin fall approximately 70% in price.
“The recent crash does not reflect a shift in sentiment, but rather a confluence of several key issues: the lingering effects of a $19bn deleveraging event; investors fleeing risk driven by US-China tariff tensions; and, importantly, the possible unwinding of corporate crypto holdings,” explained a noted economist.
The AI Connection
An additional element impacting digital assets is the decline in share prices of AI stocks. “A key reason why bitcoin is tied to the AI cycle is that a lot of mining operations have shifted their energy into new datacenters,” it was explained. “That negative sentiment often spills over into crypto.”
Bullish Outlook Endures
Despite concerns about a bear market, prominent leaders within the industry voiced optimism about the long-term value of the currency. A top CEO said “it is impossible” Bitcoin's value would hit zero and in fact 2025 will be remembered as the time “when crypto went from gray market to a well-lit establishment”. A separate noted growing interest from sovereign wealth funds.
Analysts suggest this downturn fits the pattern of historical market cycles and that a deeply prolonged downturn is not a certainty.
“If I was looking at it from standard market cycle, we are technically in a bear market,” said one analyst. “However, it's clear, despite these major headwinds impacting the market, bitcoin has still managed to set a price above $80,000.”
