Crypto Market Analysis: Top 10 Cryptos Go Sideways During Christmas

Crypto Market Overview: Holiday Calm Takes Over

The crypto market is entering a familiar seasonal phase. With Christmas holidays in full swing, trading desks are quieter, institutional participation is lower, and retail activity has slowed as traders step away from screens to spend time with family.

As a result, the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation are moving sideways, showing minimal changes over the past 24 hours and the last 7 days. Volatility has dropped, volumes are thinner, and price action lacks clear direction — a classic year-end setup.

Bitcoin (BTC): Holding Steady Below Key Levels

$Bitcoin is trading around $87,000, showing small gains on the hourly timeframebut remaining slightly negative over the past 24 hours. On a 7-day basis, BTC is still marginally positive, reflecting consolidation rather than trend continuation.

Market participants appear reluctant to take new positions ahead of year-end, keeping Bitcoin locked in a narrow range as liquidity fades.

Bitcoin price going sideways in the past month - TradingView

Ethereum (ETH): Quiet Strength, No Breakout Yet

$Ethereum is hovering near $2,940, posting modest gains over the past weekwhile remaining mostly flat on shorter timeframes. Compared to Bitcoin, ETH is showing relative resilience, but without enough volume to trigger a breakout.

This slow grind reflects cautious positioning rather than renewed bullish momentum.

BNB and XRP: Mild Pressure, No Panic

• BNBtrades near $844, posting slight losses over 24 hours and the past week.
• XRPsits around $1.86, showing continued short-term weakness, especially over the last 7 days.

Despite these pullbacks, there are no signs of panic selling. Instead, both assets are drifting within established ranges amid low holiday volume.

Solana (SOL): Consolidation After Volatile Weeks

Solana is trading near $123, with small declines over 24 hours and the last week. After weeks of strong volatility earlier in the cycle, SOL is now cooling off, mirroring the broader markets lack of conviction during the holiday period.

TRON (TRX): One of the Few Mild Gainers

TRON stands out slightly, trading around $0.28and posting small gains over the past week. Still, the move lacks momentum and remains within a narrow range, consistent with overall market conditions.

Dogecoin (DOGE) and Cardano (ADA): Memes and Layer-1s Stay Quiet

• Dogecoin ($DOGE)trades near $0.13, showing mild weekly gains but weak daily performance.
• Cardano ($ADA)sits around $0.36, one of the weaker performers over the past 7 days.

Both assets highlight the broader theme: no strong follow-through in either directionas speculative appetite remains muted.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH): Small Bounce, Low Volume

Bitcoin Cash is trading near $567, showing modest weekly gains. However, volumes remain light, and the move lacks the strength needed to suggest a sustained trend.

Why the Crypto Market Is Flat Right Now

Several factors are contributing to this holiday slowdown:

• Christmas holidaysreducing institutional and retail participation
• Lower trading volumes, amplifying sideways price action
• No major macro catalystsscheduled during the holiday week
• Traders avoiding riskuntil the new year approaches

This environment typically results in tight ranges, fake breakouts, and choppy intraday moves.

Crypto Price Prediction: What to Watch Next

While the current price action may feel uneventful, it often sets the stage for larger moves in early Januaryas liquidity returns and positioning resets. Traders will be watching:

• Bitcoins ability to reclaim or lose key psychological levels
• Ethereums relative strength versus BTC
• Whether sidelined stablecoin liquidity rotates back into risk assets

For now, the market remains calm — not bearish, but clearly waiting.