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Bitcoin dropped 2.20% to $115,566, while Ethereum slipped 3.20% to $4,342, pulling the crypto market lower.
XRP declined 4.31% to $3, following the bearish trend as Solana, Dogecoin, and Cardano trade in red.
Japan’s upcoming yen-backed stablecoin approval and possibility of Qubic’s 51% attack on DOGE highlighted the day’s biggest industry developments.
Crypto prices today, on August 18, 2025, are on a downtrend. The global crypto market cap has decreased by 2.36% to $3.91 trillion at press time. According to CoinMarketCap data, Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, declined 2.20% to trade at $115,566.27. At the same time, Ethereum price has dropped 3.20% to $4,342.66. The overall market faced selling pressure as investors digested mixed industry developments and regulatory news.
Here is how world’s top tokens performed today:
Bitcoin traded at $115,566.27 down by 2.20% over the past 24 hours. Despite the daily decline, BTC enjoys a market cap of $2.30 trillion and trading volume of $56.87 billion. With a circulating supply of 19.9 million BTC, Bitcoin continues to hold the lion's share of the crypto market. The recent pullback comes after Bitcoin had been trading near $119,000 levels, suggesting some profit-taking and consolidation at these elevated price points.
Ethereum price today fell 3.20% to $4,342.66. The smart contract platform's market capitalization stood at $524.19 billion, with trading volumes reaching $42.71 billion. Ethereum continues to dominate in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector despite today’s fall.
Also Read: What is Bitcoin Mining?
Altcoins followed Bitcoin and Ethereum’s suit, showing bearish sentiments:
XRP price declined 4.31% to $3, as the third-largest cryptocurrency went on to maintain its market cap at $178.30 billion.
Solana declined 5.36% to $183.13, despite maintaining strong fundamentals in the decentralized applications space.
BNB dropped 1.30% to $838.13 while TRON (TRX) was down by 0.38% today.
Cardano posted a 2.90% decline to $0.9263, though it maintains significant weekly gains of over 12%.
Dogecoin, the only meme coin on the list, fell 4.11% to $0.2260, giving up some of its recent meme coin rally gains.
Stablecoins provided stability amid the market volatility. Tether (USDT) traded at $1 with minimal movement, maintaining its $166.82 billion market cap. USDC remained flat at $0.9999 with a market cap of $68.15 billion, exhibiting the continued demand for stablecoins during uncertain times.
Here are the top headlines that may affect crypto prices today and beyond:
In a concerning development for blockchain security, the Qubic community voted to target Dogecoin following their successful 51% attack on the Monero privacy network. The AI-focused blockchain's community, led by founder Sergey Ivancheglo (Come-from-Beyond), selected DOGE as their next target with over 300 votes.
This development raises significant concerns about the security of proof-of-work networks, particularly affecting Dogecoin's price performance. It could also be why the crypto market is down today.
In positive regulatory news, Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) is preparing to approve the country's first yen-denominated stablecoin this fall. Tokyo-based fintech firm JPYC will lead the rollout after registering as a money transfer business.
The JPYC stablecoin will maintain a 1:1 peg with the Japanese yen. It will be backed by liquid assets, including bank deposits and government bonds. This development is a step forward for stablecoin adoption in one of Asia's largest economies.
Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz provided sobering commentary on Bitcoin price expectations, warning that a $1 million Bitcoin price in 2026 would signal serious economic trouble rather than success. Speaking on the Coin Stories podcast, Novogratz suggested that such extreme price appreciation would likely result from severe currency devaluation and economic instability.
"I'd rather have a lower Bitcoin price in a more stable United States than the opposite," Novogratz stated. Thus, highlighting the complex relationship between cryptocurrency valuations and broader economic conditions.
Also Read: Bitcoin and Ethereum Could Benefit from 2025 Fed Rate Cuts, Predicts Wells Fargo
The decline in crypto prices today reflects a combination of profit-taking and concerns about blockchain security following the Qubic attacks. The overall trend remains bearish in the short term. However, factors like the upcoming approval of Japan's yen stablecoin could provide positive momentum in Asian markets. However, ongoing security concerns about proof-of-work networks may continue to weigh on sentiment.
Bitcoin's ability to hold above the $115,000 level will be crucial for maintaining bullish momentum. Key support levels to watch include $110,000 and $105,000, while resistance appears around $120,000. Ethereum's performance relative to Bitcoin will be important to monitor. Investors should remain cautious and monitor key support levels while staying informed about regulatory developments and security issues affecting the broader cryptocurrency sector.
1. What is Bitcoin’s price today (August 18, 2025)?
Bitcoin is currently trading at $115,566, reflecting a 2.20% decline in the past 24 hours. The pullback comes after Bitcoin was trading near $119,000, indicating some profit-taking and short-term consolidation. Despite the drop, Bitcoin still commands a dominant market cap of $2.30 trillion with a strong trading volume of $56.87 billion, highlighting continued investor interest.
2. How is Ethereum performing today?
Ethereum fell 3.20% to $4,342, showing more weakness than Bitcoin. Its market cap now stands at $524.19 billion, with $42.71 billion in daily trading volume. Despite the decline, Ethereum remains the leading smart contract platform, powering the majority of DeFi and NFT applications. Its short-term price movement reflects broader bearish sentiment, not weakening fundamentals.
3. Which crypto should you buy today?
While the market is largely in the red, XRP stood out with a 4.31% gain to $3.00, making it a rare positive performer among top coins. Investors seeking resilience may view XRP’s performance as a sign of relative strength. However, caution is essential given ongoing market volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and security risks highlighted by events such as Qubic’s network attacks.
4. Why did Dogecoin price decline on August 18, 2025?
Dogecoin dropped 4.11% to $0.2260, largely due to heightened security concerns. The Qubic community, led by Sergey Ivancheglo, voted to target Dogecoin for a potential 51% attack, after already breaching Monero’s network. This development undermined investor confidence, fueling sell pressure and dragging DOGE down despite recent meme-coin enthusiasm and prior short-term rallies.
5. Why is the crypto market down today?
The cryptocurrency market turned bearish due to a combination of profit-taking, security concerns, and cautious sentiment. Bitcoin and Ethereum led the decline, while Solana, Dogecoin, and Cardano also slipped. The Qubic network’s 51% attack plans raised alarms about blockchain vulnerabilities, weighing heavily on investor confidence. Despite Japan’s positive regulatory news on stablecoins, the market reacted more strongly to risk factors, leading to widespread losses.
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