Crypto Markets Remain Muted on Christmas Eve: Bitcoin Dips Amid Holiday Lull and Massive Options Expiry!!!

• By Alex Rivera, Senior Crypto Markets Reporter
December 24, 2025
The cryptocurrency market closed out Christmas Eve in quiet fashion, with thin trading volumes characteristic of the holiday season contributing to modest declines across major assets. Bitcoin (BTC) fell below $88,000, hovering around $87,000–$87,500, marking a roughly 1–2% drop over the past 24 hours.   Ethereum (ETH) traded near $2,930–$2,950, also down about 1%, while altcoins generally underperformed, dragging the total market capitalization to approximately $2.97 trillion.

• Traders cited multiple factors for the subdued price action: reduced liquidity during the holidays, ongoing ETF outflows, and anticipation of a record $28 billion Bitcoin and Ethereum options expiry looming later this week.  Bitcoin has remained range-bound between $85,000 and $90,000 for much of December, with options-related hedging suppressing volatility ahead of the year-end expiry.  
In regulatory news, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed charges in connection with a $14 million cryptocurrency scam that allegedly used fake AI-generated investment signals promoted through WhatsApp groups and fraudulent trading platforms.

• Despite the near-term weakness, some analysts remain optimistic, pointing to supportive macro positioning and potential post-expiry volatility shifts that could push Bitcoin higher. Altcoins, however, continue to lag, reflecting broader risk-off sentiment in thin markets. 
As the year draws to a close, the crypto space appears poised for renewed action in early 2026, with institutional developments and regulatory clarity still key watchpoints.
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