Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Fuels Crypto Surge as MetaMask Expands Bitcoin Access

2025 Becomes a Pivotal Year for Crypto as ConsenSys and Ethereum Drive Innovation

The crypto industry is celebrating a landmark year in 2025, with major regulatory and technological advances reshaping the landscape. Donald Trump's pro-crypto administration helped ease oversight, creating a more favorable environment for the sector. According to reports, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) moved quickly to rescind burdensome accounting rules and drop lawsuits from the Biden era, signaling a dramatic shift in regulatory tone.

At the same time, Ethereum continues to evolve as a foundational layer of the crypto ecosystem. The network is on track to increase its gas limit in early 2026, with developers aiming to scale throughput significantly. Meanwhile, MetaMask has expanded its multichain capabilities by adding native Bitcoin support, allowing users to interact with BTC directly within the popular Ethereum-based wallet.

One of the most notable developments was the approval of federal rules for dollar-pegged stablecoins, a move that has boosted institutional confidence in the sector. Banks also received conditional licenses to offer crypto services, and the SEC's approval of new crypto products helped push Bitcoin to record highs.

How Markets Reacted to the Crypto Surge

Despite these advances, crypto markets remain volatile. In early December 2025, Bitcoin and Ethereum saw sharp price swings within hours, with Bitcoin briefly breaking $90,000 before retreating to $85,000. This turbulence triggered over $400 million in liquidations in the futures market, according to Coinglass data. Ethereum alone faced $150 million in liquidations, largely from long positions, as traders struggled to navigate unpredictable price swings.

Industry experts point to multiple factors contributing to this instability. ETF outflows have weakened market structure, and algorithmic trading has intensified price swings in thin liquidity conditions. "ETF cost-basis analysis suggests $80K is a key support level for Bitcoin, with $60K as a deeper floor if outflows persist," noted Mike Marshall of Amberdata according to data.

What This Means for Investors and Institutional Players

For institutional investors, 2025 has been a turning point. Ethereum's price has remained above $3,000, supported by declining exchange reserves and strong ETF inflows. According to data from December 11, institutional buyers added $42.30 million in Ethereum via U.S. ETFs, reversing earlier outflows. This trend is further bolstered by Ethereum's growing correlation with traditional markets, particularly the Russell 2000 index, which has seen a 49% rise in 2025.

MetaMask's integration of Bitcoin marks a significant milestone in user accessibility. The wallet now supports direct BTC transactions, with users earning reward points for swaps into the asset. This move is part of a broader push toward multichain adoption, with additional integrations planned for 2026 according to reports. The platform has already added support for Solana, Sei, and Monad, and its Bitcoin addition reflects a strategic shift from Ethereum-centric to cross-chain capabilities.

At the same time, WhiteBIT reported continued international growth in 2025. The firm expanded its institutional offerings, including OTC trading, custody solutions, and tailored services for high-net-worth clients. These developments highlight the maturation of crypto infrastructure, with firms now competing to offer scalable, secure, and flexible solutions for a broad range of clients.

Risks to the Outlook and Regulatory Uncertainties

Despite these gains, the crypto industry still faces unresolved legislative challenges. The stalled crypto market structure legislation in the U.S. Senate has left key regulatory questions unanswered. Industry leaders have warned that without clarity, long-standing issues around market oversight and investor protection could persist.

Additionally, the regulatory environment could shift again in early 2026, with expectations of an "innovation exemption" from the SEC. While this could provide much-needed flexibility for crypto firms, the absence of a comprehensive legal framework continues to create uncertainty for investors and entrepreneurs alike according to analysis.

As 2025 closes, the crypto industry finds itself at a crossroads-celebrating major regulatory and technological milestones while also navigating unresolved policy questions and market volatility. With Ethereum's network upgrades, MetaMask's multichain push, and institutional adoption on the rise, the foundation for crypto's mainstream future appears stronger than ever.