The crypto market started 2024 with mixed signals. Among them, Bitcoin leads over other cryptocurrencies after the launch of the spot Bitcoin ETF. However, the remaining time in the year appears quite bleak until Q4.
As Bitcoin reaches new all-time highs (ATH), many altcoins also peak. The question now is what should investors expect in 2025?
Let's analyze the top 5 coins and the direction for the next 12 months.
Bitcoin (BTC)
$BTC has had a great year achieving many new ATH levels and making history after surpassing the $100,000 mark. Overall, BTC price has increased by 123% in 2024.
The year 2025 is also predicted to see a similar price increase, as the regulatory outlook appears to be shifting favorably, with U.S. President cryptocurrency supporter Donald Trump set to take office in January. In an interview, Juan Pellicer – Senior Research Analyst at IntoTheBlock discussed Bitcoin's potential.
“The outlook for Bitcoin in 2025 looks very strong, supported by a recent breakthrough move above $100,000. Consolidating at these levels, along with an increasing number of institutions adopting it and its proven track record as an inflation hedge, indicates sustained bullish momentum. If macroeconomic conditions remain favorable, we could see Bitcoin establish new price levels as it becomes increasingly integrated into traditional financial portfolios,” Pellicer said.
BTC Price Chart 1 Week | Source: TradingView
The short-term target for Bitcoin is set at $120,000. This can only happen if BTC maintains the support level of $100,000. Otherwise, it could continue to slide down to the current support level of $89,800.
Ethereum (ETH)
Unlike Bitcoin, $ETH has not made an impression on investors, rising only 40% since the beginning of the year. ETH has struggled around the $4,000 level for a while, and this price is the biggest barrier.
This week also marks the largest drop for the top altcoin by market cap, down 10% to $3,402. However, the launch of the spot Ethereum ETF has been a turning point for Ethereum and could propel this altcoin further in 2025.
“Although institutional adoption of Ethereum has been slower than expected, the total amount of ETH held in ETF addresses has significantly increased since November. Moving forward, the potential to enhance institutional participation through spot ETFs, along with growing acceptance of Ethereum-based enterprise solutions, indicates significant price growth potential for ETH,” Pellicer noted.
ETH Price Chart 1 Week | Source: TradingView
Currently, the biggest target for ETH price is to flip the $4,000 level into support to move forward. This will ensure the protection of the $3,419 threshold as the initial support floor. Otherwise, there is a risk that the price could slide below $3,000.
Solana (SOL)
$SOL has had an impressive year, outperforming Ethereum in terms of performance. However, this is not surprising. With strong institutional preference, this altcoin is expected not only to stop at a 79% growth for the year but also to achieve more remarkable milestones in the future.
Breaking through the consolidation levels of $202 and $128 is a significant challenge for SOL, and maintaining above this level is crucial for a continued upward trend. However, at the time of writing, SOL has dropped back, trading at $185.
However, Solana still has a chance thanks to strong fundamentals and emerging use cases.
“Institutional demand seems to be expanding beyond Bitcoin. Major blockchains are likely to attract more interest from institutions, driven by the potential approval of new ETFs and clearer regulatory frameworks… This infrastructure and application-focused development could create a more balanced market, where many assets thrive alongside Bitcoin,” Pellicer said.
SOL Price Chart 1 Week | Source: TradingView
The current price target for SOL is to secure the support level of $202, as only then can it form a new ATH above $265. However, if the “Ethereum killer” falls into a state of consolidation, 2025 may become bleak for SOL holders.
XRP
Although XRP did not have a great year, it has had an impressive Q4. In the last quarter, XRP rose from $0.49 to an annual high of $2.9, before dropping to $2.23 at the current time. This strong upward movement has pushed the YTD growth rate to 237%.
Similar to Bitcoin, XRP is also likely to see strong growth in 2025 due to the recent launch of the stablecoin RLUSD.
The trajectory of XRP is particularly interesting considering recent developments. While the SEC victory is a key catalyst, the launch of the stablecoin RLUSD along with ongoing developments on the XRPL chain brings new growth drivers. The appointment of a crypto-friendly SEC Chair could really strengthen XRP's position by providing clearer regulatory guidance for using XRP in cross-border payments and for institutional adoption. This regulatory clarity, combined with technical developments, could drive sustainable price increases,” Pellicer noted.
XRP Price Chart 1 Week | Source: TradingView
This positive momentum could push XRP price above the $3 mark, supported by strong demand from new buyers. Institutions will also play a significant role in driving demand, helping to maintain this altcoin above $2.
Cardano (ADA)
Cardano (ADA) has recorded one of the most disappointing price increases among all the largest altcoins, with only a 35% rise in 12 months. This week, a 14% drop has erased some of the momentum recorded in Q4, bringing this altcoin down to $0.91.
The limited growth momentum has raised concerns about whether Cardano can continue to remain in the top 10 cryptocurrencies. Currently ranked ninth, ADA faces threats from chains like Tron (TRX) and Avalanche (AVAX). However, Pellicer has a more positive outlook for this third-generation cryptocurrency.
“Although ADA's performance has not been impressive in the current bull cycle, its potential should not be underestimated. The key to maintaining a top 10 position lies in successfully expanding the ecosystem and increasing utility. This platform needs to demonstrate specific use cases and accelerate the deployment of dApps.”
The focus should be on attracting developers and projects that can leverage the technical advantages of Cardano. Pellicer shares that if successful in this endeavor, ADA could attract renewed interest and price increases in 2025, although this will require significant milestones in development and metrics assessing user adoption.
ADA Price Chart 1 Week | Source: TradingView
This bright outlook can only become a reality if ADA price can reclaim the important support level at $1 and conquer the $1.19 mark. However, to move further, ADA needs to attract strong interest from investors along with breakthroughs in development from the team behind the project.
