Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin's YTD Gains Hit 21% as Q3 Closes

Core Insights - The article provides an update on major cryptocurrencies, focusing on Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP, highlighting their market performance and foundational differences [1][3][5]. Bitcoin - Bitcoin is the first cryptocurrency, launched in early 2009, and has become a mainstream financial asset despite its volatility [2]. - Bitcoin's closing price fell below $110,000 for the first time in nearly a month but finished Q3 with a year-to-date gain of approximately 21%, currently ~8% below its record close from August 2025 [3]. Ether - Ether operates on the Ethereum blockchain and was launched in July 2015, holding the second largest market share among cryptocurrencies [4]. - Ether's closing price fell below $4,000 for the first time since early August but ended Q3 with a 67% surge, resulting in a year-to-date gain of approximately 24%, now ~14% below its record close from August 2025 [5]. XRP - XRP, launched in 2012 and owned by Ripple, was once among the larger cryptocurrencies but has since faced competition from newer coins [6]. Comparative Analysis - An index has been created to compare Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP, using a logarithmic scale to illustrate relative percentage changes and long-term growth since November 9, 2017, with Bitcoin currently leading [7]. ETF Developments - On January 10, 2024, the SEC approved several spot Bitcoin ETFs from various issuers, indicating a significant development in the cryptocurrency investment landscape [8]. - On July 23, 2024, multiple spot Ether ETFs were launched, further expanding investment options in the cryptocurrency market [9].