As US spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs approach their second anniversary, Galaxy Digital's 2026 outlook projects net inflows into US spot crypto ETFs will climb above $50 billion after recording $23 billion in 2025. The firm also expects more than 100 new crypto ETF products, over 15 US IPOs or uplistings by crypto firms, and notes Bitcoin trading around $87,480 and Ethereum near $2,930 with both still below prior all-time highs.

CoinGecko's 2025 report identifies Real-World Assets as the year's leading crypto narrative, with an average 185.8% YTD return across tokens including Figure Heloc, LINK, XLM, XAUT, and BlackRock's BUIDL. Keeta Network climbed 1,794.9% YTD, while L1s averaged 80.3%. Memecoins and AI lagged, with -31.6% and -50.2% average returns.

A Gemini poll conducted from December 12 to 23 indicates that 73% of surveyed investors expect XRP to close the year in a price band between $1.50 and $2.00, signaling a cautious outlook for the altcoin. Expectations for a stronger rally toward $2.00 to $2.50 and above $2.50 have decreased notably, while on-chain data and futures positioning suggest profit-taking by long-term holders and growing selling pressure. XRP is currently trading near $1.830, having logged losses across time frames and a 15% decline year-to-date.

Bitcoin trades slightly above $88,290 after a recent high above $126,000 in October, raising concerns about a deeper pullback. Analyst Ali Martinez compares past cycles—1,064 days from bottom to top and about 364 days back to a low—and infers a potential bottom around October 2026, with downside near $37,500 based on prior drawdowns.

According to NewsBTC, Ethereum has failed to reclaim $3,000 over the past 48 hours, with spot price hovering just above $2,940. Analysts on X, including Ted Pillows and Columbus, caution that without a swift move back above $3,000, ETH could retest $2,800, while overhead liquidity at $3,050–$3,250 and a 16% monthly drop signal fragile market conditions.

Bitcoin is trading near $87,370 after losing the $90,000 support level and falling more than 30% from its peak above $126,000, echoing patterns seen in late 2021. One expert applies a 2021-style fractal and argues BTC could decline about 20% toward $70,000, while other analysts debate whether this leads into an extended bear market or a new supercycle with fresh all-time highs projected for 2026.

On Friday, December 26, Bitcoin faces its largest options expiry, with more than $23 billion set to roll off. According to NoLimit and MartyParty, unwinding dealer hedges and high gamma between $86,000 and $110,000 could fuel sharp moves, while CryptoQuant highlights lingering $100,000 calls even as $85,000 put interest eases.

XRP, the fifth largest crypto asset by market capitalization, has slipped below $2 during a broader correction, yet analyst Sam Daodu argues five key drivers could push it to $5 by 2026. His outlook hinges on strong spot XRP ETF inflows, expanding use of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin in Japan, growing tokenization on the XRP Ledger, supportive Federal Reserve rate policy, and reduced exchange balances. XRP recently traded near $1.88, almost 50% under its July all‑time high.

Solana’s price rebounded 6% on Friday, climbing toward $126 after previously slipping below the key $120 support and raising concerns about a deeper slide toward $100. An analyst from The Motley Fool pointed to the Solana Foundation’s quantum-resistant testnet and Mangoceuticals’ plan to invest $100 million in SOL as major drivers of the recent strength. Despite these catalysts, technical indicators still lean bearish, with key moving averages above current levels and resistance expected around $133–$138 and $144–$147.