Bitcoin (BTC) hovered around $88,675 at 13:15 GMT on Wednesday, showing little improvement from Tuesday’s sub-$88,000 levels.
ETF outflows persisted, maintaining a cap on upside despite ongoing accumulation by long-term holders. Whales continue to add at these levels, signalling conviction, but broader market participation remains muted.
XRP held near $1.87, supported by ongoing spot ETF inflows that have now exceeded $1 billion, yet price remained range-bound. Major Japanese banks continue to integrate XRP Ledger solutions, boosting adoption, but short-term technical pressure has kept the token within its $1.80–$2.00 range.
Ether (ETH) traded around $2,985, caught between recent ETF outflows and structural strength from staking inflows and network upgrades. The Fusaka upgrade has reduced Layer-2 costs and improved scalability, while whale accumulation of around $850m in December shows continued long-term positioning. Despite strong smart contract deployment and network activity, price remains below $3,100, reflecting muted sentiment ahead of the new year.
Across Bitcoin, XRP, and Ether, trading remains pinned as year-end liquidity dries up. ETF outflows and uneven institutional positioning are dictating price swings, while thin volumes leave the market finely balanced.
Traders are largely on the sidelines, watching for either a macro trigger or a technical breakout to drive a decisive move in early 2026.