2025 Results: Crypto Did Not Become the “New Gold”

BTC/USD

Key zone: 88,000 - 90,000

Buy: 91,500 (on a confident breakout of the 90,000 level) ; target 95,500-97,500; StopLoss 90,500

Sell: 87,500 (on strong negative fundamentals) ; target 85,500-83,500; StopLoss 88,500

The outgoing year broke the familiar hierarchy of returns. Precious metals delivered exceptional performance, U.S. stock indices confidently secured double-digit gains, while cryptocurrencies steadily declined and ended the year stuck in consolidation.

This confirms the core problem of the sector: cryptocurrencies have lost their status as defensive or even alternative assets and have returned to the category of high-risk instruments.

Let us recall:

At the beginning of 2025, the crypto market looked flawless. The launch and rapid scaling of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. guaranteed strong capital inflows, prices reached new all-time highs, and crypto enthusiasts loudly proclaimed the start of a “new bull cycle.” But the ETF effect faded quickly, liquidity became unstable, regulatory risks remained extremely high, and the global shock in the form of Trump’s tariff policy discouraged risk-taking.

Crypto entered a phase of correction and consolidation because large capital moved into assets with a more predictable return profile.

Meanwhile, gold and silver gained a new platform for growth.

Silver rose by roughly 130% over the year, while gold gained about 65%. Expectations of looser monetary policy and elevated geopolitical risks pushed investors toward assets with a simple value-preservation logic.

Gold, silver, and platinum are easily accessible via exchange-traded instruments, including ETFs. At the same time, RWA solutions — tokenized products linked to real assets — developed in parallel within the digital segment, lowering entry barriers for mid-sized and retail investors. Silver also gained an additional driver in the form of industrial demand (solar energy, electric vehicles) amid constrained supply. Even copper supported the global trend, rising by about 35%.

U.S. equity indices also outperformed cryptocurrencies.

In 2025, Nasdaq gained 20%, the S&P 500 rose 16%, and the Russell 2000 added 13%. The market was supported by slowing inflation and expectations of rate cuts, while the technology sector benefited from the investment cycle related to artificial intelligence.

As of the end of December, BTC is trading around $90,000 and remains roughly 6% below its level at the beginning of the year. Even with ETFs in place, the market does not guarantee growth when overall demand for risk assets is weak.

Ethereum also failed to convert its technological advantages into price growth and lost nearly 12% year-to-date.

The altcoin market became the weakest segment of the crypto space: average losses ranged from 35% to 42%, and total market capitalization of the segment nearly halved over the year. Altcoins are too dependent on excess liquidity and market optimism — both of which were largely absent.

Nevertheless, cryptocurrencies did not lose 2025 because interest in technology disappeared, but because the market changed its selection criteria. Large capital grew tired of taking risks and focused on preservation. Regulatory pressure and technological risks further reinforced the preference for other asset classes.

If macroeconomic and political conditions stabilize in the new year and risk appetite returns to the crypto market, digital assets may have a chance to recover. However, competitive market conditions will be harsh.

So we act wisely and avoid unnecessary risks.

Profits to y’all!