Bitcoin News Today: ECB Pushes Digital Euro as Bitcoin's Plunge Fails Regulatory Hurdles

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, reaffirmed her long-held skepticism toward Bitcoin on a recent podcast, stating the cryptocurrency remains "worth nothing" despite its recent price volatility. The remarks came as Bitcoin fell below $90,000 for the first time in months, erasing 32% of its value since hitting a peak of $126,250 in October 2025 according to market reports. Lagarde's comments, made on October 5, 2025, echoed her 2022 assertion that crypto assets are "highly speculative" and emphasized the ECB's refusal to consider Bitcoin for central bank reserves due to its lack of alignment with "safety, liquidity and regulatory compliance" as previously stated.

Bitcoin's current slump mirrors a correction seen in April 2025, when the price dropped from $109,000 to $76,000 over 80 days. As of November 18, 2025, the cryptocurrency had fallen below the 2025 "realized price" of $103,227-the average cost at which coins were acquired that year-leaving the typical 2025 buyer at a 13% loss according to CoinDesk. While the current correction is shorter (43 days as of November 18), analysts note the selloff has been driven by uncertainty around U.S. interest rate cuts, weak equity market sentiment, and large holders trimming positions as reported by TradingView.

The ECB's focus remains firmly on its digital euro initiative, a project aimed at creating a sovereign digital currency to complement physical cash. In a November 2025 speech, ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone highlighted that the digital euro would "extend the benefits of cash to digital payments," ensuring privacy, inclusivity, and reduced dependence on non-European payment systems according to ECB press release. The project, now in its next technical phase, aims for a pilot launch by mid-2027 and potential issuance by 2029, pending legislative approval as outlined in ECB materials.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin's recent price action has shown mixed signals. After briefly dipping below $89,000 on November 18, the asset rebounded to $92,600 by November 19, recovering nearly 3.64% according to TradingView data. Other major cryptocurrencies followed suit, with Ethereum up 5.52% and Solana rising 6.80% in the same period according to TradingView data. However, market analysts caution that technical indicators, such as the 200-day moving average turning downward, suggest ongoing pressure as reported by TradingView.

Lagarde's stance reflects a broader regulatory skepticism toward unbacked crypto assets, even as global discussions about Bitcoin's role in national treasuries continue. The ECB's digital euro, by contrast, is designed to coexist with traditional banking systems, preserving institutions' business models while offering consumers and merchants a secure, low-cost digital payment option as stated in ECB materials.