Second half of 2025: The three major cryptocurrencies face a growth turning point

Bitcoin remains the market focus, but for the trend to continue, the key may lie in whether other cryptocurrencies can follow up with gains. Latest data shows that BTC is currently around $88,800, having hit a new all-time high of $126,080, though recent gains have slowed. Meanwhile, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP are brewing new investment opportunities, and their performance in the second half of the year could become the most noteworthy highlights in crypto predictions 2025.

Can Ethereum’s Technical Upgrades Trigger a New Bullish Cycle?

Although Ethereum faces increasing competition at Layer 1, its recent 30-day gain of 6.03% indicates a rebound. The critical turning point came with the launch of the Pectra upgrade in early May. This upgrade optimizes network performance, promising to reduce transaction costs and increase processing speed, thereby re-empowering Ethereum under the proof-of-stake mechanism.

More importantly, the SEC is expected to release formal guidelines on staking in the second half of the year. If regulators approve, investment products will be allowed to incorporate staking mechanisms, which would be a direct positive for existing Ethereum spot ETFs—currently, such ETFs cannot offer staking yields due to regulatory restrictions. This change could serve as a significant catalyst for attracting incremental capital into Ethereum.

Can Solana Shake Off the “Single Driver” Label?

Solana is currently trading around $126. Research from Standard Chartered suggests that Solana could reach $275 by the end of 2025 and possibly $500 by 2029. If these predictions prove true, the growth potential over the coming years is quite substantial.

However, analysts also point out a hidden risk: Solana’s recent rally has overly depended on meme coin hype, described as a “single driver” phenomenon. In contrast, Solana’s efficient blockchain architecture should ideally be applied in financial services or artificial intelligence sectors, which represent long-term value.

A positive signal is that Solana is expected to receive approval for a US spot ETF by the end of 2025. Existing trading products are already available in Brazil and Europe, and US approval seems almost inevitable. Once new capital can enter through easier channels, Solana’s price momentum could significantly increase.

Can the XRP Cross-Border Payment Narrative Reignite?

XRP is currently priced at $1.87, down about 45% from its 52-week high of $3.40. Within three months after the 2024 election, XRP once surged over 600%, but then faced pressure due to escalating global trade tensions.

XRP’s core value proposition lies in low-cost, high-efficiency cross-border payments. When international trade stalls due to tariff policies, demand for XRP as a payment tool naturally declines. The rebound window for XRP may depend on two conditions: first, easing of trade tensions and a restart of global commercial activity; second, the final decision by the SEC on XRP spot ETF applications in the second half of the year. Brazil has already launched XRP spot ETFs, and US approval expectations are gradually rising.

The Broader Context of Altcoin Season

The common opportunity facing these three assets is the potential arrival of “altcoin season.” This phenomenon involves investor funds gradually shifting from Bitcoin to riskier tokens, often leading to altcoin prices outperforming Bitcoin significantly. There is debate within the industry about whether this cycle will occur in 2025, but increasing opinions suggest that Bitcoin reaching new highs could serve as a signal for the start of altcoin season.

Structurally, Ethereum’s regulatory breakthrough, Solana’s ETF approval, and XRP’s trade revival all point toward the second half of the year. Whichever of these triggers the first move could set off a coordinated rally among these three assets.

Final Thoughts

If your current crypto portfolio is still primarily Bitcoin, the key in the second half of 2025 may not be chasing new highs, but rather paying attention to when these three coins enter their main upward waves. Any change in regulation, technological iteration, or macro environment could be the last straw that breaks the camel’s back—or the trigger that sparks explosive growth in these assets.