Bitcoin and Ethereum: What to Expect in the Market Next Week
Date: 2025-12-23 Author: Henry Casey Categories: CRYPTO PAYMENTS
Bitcoin is starting the week near $91,000, but the expected pre-New Year momentum has not yet been seen. Despite this, market participants continue to closely monitor macroeconomic signals and the dynamics of traditional financial instruments, which could determine the direction of BTC and ETH in the short term.
According to Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget, the current situation in the US stock market looks encouraging for risky assets. US index futures are showing gains, and benchmarks such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are outperforming the market amid the shortened holiday week. Heightened expectations for a year-end rally are fueling investor interest in more volatile instruments, including cryptocurrencies.
The expert draws attention to the seasonality factor. The so-called "Santa Claus rally" is traditionally associated with stock market growth in the final weeks of December. In some years, this effect has also extended to digital assets, especially in the presence of sufficient liquidity and a positive external environment. Under current conditions, such a scenario cannot be ruled out, although it is not guaranteed.
According to the analyst, expectations of a easing of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy are providing additional support to the market. While a potential reduction in interest rates is largely already priced into stock prices, the narrative of more accessible liquidity continues to stimulate demand for stocks and cryptocurrencies. Lower borrowing costs traditionally increase the attractiveness of risky assets, which has allowed Bitcoin to once again approach important psychological levels in recent weeks.
Against this backdrop, Ryan Lee expects the moderately upward trend in BTC and ETH to continue in the short term. He estimates that Bitcoin could trade in the $86,000–$93,000 range during the holiday season, while Ethereum could hold within the $2,800–$3,200 range. This scenario will be facilitated by potential institutional inflows and greater regulatory certainty.
At the same time, the analyst emphasizes that the market remains sensitive to external triggers. Among the key catalysts, he highlights news related to potential ETF approval, as well as unexpected macroeconomic data. These factors could both accelerate growth and trigger short-term volatility. Geopolitical instability and sudden changes in liquidity levels remain additional risks.
Overall, the current market configuration, according to the expert, appears favorable for cryptocurrencies. As the end of 2025 approaches, the narrative of closer integration between traditional financial markets and digital assets is gaining momentum, which could become an important structural driver for BTC and ETH in the medium term.
