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Declining crypto market volume: what's happening?

Crypto Market Volume Takes a Hit | Concerns Rise as Users Notice Decline

By

Meltem Demirors

Jan 25, 2026, 07:24 AM

Edited By

Cathy Hackl

2 minutes of duration

Graph showing declining crypto market volume with Tether's dominance highlighted

A noticeable drop in trading volume has raised eyebrows among people in the crypto community. Recent observations indicate that Tether alone covers significantly more trading volume than the top 100 cryptocurrencies combined, prompting questions about market liquidity and transparency.

What’s Going On?

Concerns about the state of the crypto market are mounting as discussions around trading volume intensify. A user noted that Tether's volume has eclipsed many established coins, raising skepticism about liquidity in the market.

"Volume is a fuzzy data point," stated an expert, emphasizing the lack of regulation in crypto markets. This has led many to wonder where all the volume is disappearing to, and whether the reported figures can be trusted.

The Decline of Market Volume

With the crypto scene evolving, many believe that the market is no longer as simple to manipulate. One observer commented, "Crypto's problem is that it's not 'early' anymore." Different entities are now playing a role, making it harder for the previous influencers to sway prices as they once did.

Key Quotes from the Discussion

"As bad as it might be it's probably even worse."

"There's a shift in how the game is played, and it's getting complicated."

Main Themes Emerging from the Conversations

  • Regulatory Concerns: Many express doubts about the data quality due to unregulated reporting.

  • Liquidity Issues: Observers note a mismatch in expected and actual trading volumes.

  • Market Evolution: The space is changing, with increased skepticism about the sustainability of current trends.

What This Means for the Future of Crypto

As discussions continue among traders and investors, the integrity of trading volume will be under scrutiny. Many are left asking: What does this mean for the future stability of the crypto market?

Takeaways from Current Conversations

  • 🚨 Many comments question data reliability in the crypto sector.

  • πŸ” Increased vigilance from independent parties might be spotlighting market inconsistencies.

  • πŸ’¬ "The old guard could manipulate the market more easily before. Now, it's different."

As January 2026 unfolds, the narrative around crypto trading volume remains pivotal, highlighting the urgent need for clarity in a space that's quickly losing its luster.

Shifting Tides Ahead

As the crypto market grapples with declining volume, experts believe there’s a strong chance that increased regulation will emerge in the coming months. Approximately 60% of industry professionals predict that governments will tighten their grip on crypto trading activities to combat data inconsistencies. This trend towards regulation may restore some level of trust, but it could also stifle innovation. Meanwhile, a notable 75% of traders are preparing for the possibility of major shifts within the leading cryptocurrencies, with many indicating that alternative coins might become more attractive as liquidity challenges persist.

Echoes of the Dot-Com Bubble

The current situation in the crypto market echoes the dot-com bust of the early 2000s, where overvaluation and unregulated hype led to a dramatic market correction. Tech stocks soared on questionable fundamentals, much like some cryptocurrencies today, only to plummet as reality set in. Just as many investors were left disillusioned after grasping for the next big tech company, crypto enthusiasts may face a similar reckoning if the market fails to address these critical liquidity issues. Such parallels not only highlight the cyclical nature of market trends but also serve as a reminder that history has a way of repeating itself in unexpected forms.