Current Cryptocurrency News as of 27 January 2026: Bitcoin Remains Under Pressure Ahead of the First US Federal Reserve Meeting of the Year, Gold Hits Record $5,100 Per Ounce, Institutional Investors Shift Focus to Altcoins, and Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of 27 January 2026, the cryptocurrency market remains under pressure: Bitcoin has failed to maintain the psychological level of $90,000, setting a negative tone for the majority of digital assets. Investors are reducing risk positions ahead of the first US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting of the year amid a global decline in risk appetite.
External macroeconomic factors are amplifying uncertainty. The escalation of hawkish rhetoric from the Fed leadership and increasing risks of a government shutdown in the US are prompting capital to flow into safe-haven assets. Gold prices have surged to a record $5,100 per ounce, highlighting the movement of funds towards traditional "safe havens." Simultaneously, Bitcoin, previously positioned by some investors as "digital gold," is currently failing to justify its status as a safe-haven asset, correlating with corrections in the stock market.
Bitcoin Under Pressure Ahead of Fed Decision
In recent days, Bitcoin (BTC) has continued its decline. On the night of 26 January, its price fell to approximately $87,500, nearly 30% below its all-time high of around $125,000 reached in August 2025. The leading cryptocurrency has lost the $90,000 mark, reflecting the overall decline in risk appetite across global markets.
Macroeconomic risks remain a key factor for BTC. Amid a mass shift of investors into safe assets (with gold reaching its historic peak), Bitcoin is now moving in tandem with stock indices, trading more as a risk asset rather than "digital gold." In low liquidity conditions over the weekend, BTC briefly dipped into the $80,000–$90,000 range; however, it managed to recover to around $87,000 by the start of the week while remaining under pressure.
Ethereum Also Under Pressure
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Ethereum (ETH), reflects the overall market correction. The price of ETH has dipped below $3,000, down approximately 5% over the past week. The current price (approximately $2,900) remains significantly below Ethereum's historical peak of $4,890 reached in 2021, but the network continues to play a crucial role in the industry through smart contracts, decentralised finance (DeFi), and stablecoin issuance.
Institutional interest in Ethereum, which rose significantly following the launch of the first spot ETFs on this altcoin in 2025, has now somewhat cooled. At the beginning of January, ETH-based funds experienced capital outflows as investors collectively distanced themselves from risky assets. Nevertheless, Ethereum retains about 12% of the overall market capitalisation, confidently holding second place behind Bitcoin.
Altcoins Show Mixed Dynamics
The broader market for alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) exhibits heterogeneous dynamics amid declines in the leading cryptocurrencies. Many major altcoins within the top 10 have seen moderate price drops in the last 24 hours following Bitcoin; however, some individual assets have fared better than others. The total market capitalisation of altcoins (excluding BTC) is estimated at approximately $1.2 trillion, representing a significant portion of the market concentrated outside of Bitcoin.
Several altcoins continue to attract heightened attention due to fundamental factors. For instance, Ripple's token (XRP) is trading near a multi-year high of around $2 following a surge in January, supported by positive news regarding its legal status and growing demand from funds. Binance Coin (BNB) trades around $600, remaining within the top five despite legal risks surrounding the exchange. The blockchain token Solana (SOL) previously surged above $150 amid ETF approvals and has settled around $130 after a correction, significantly higher than levels seen last year. The cryptocurrency Cardano (ADA) appreciated to $1 by the end of 2025 in anticipation of launching its own ETF; it is now trading just above $1, buoyed by community support from developers.
Institutional Investors Shift Focus to Altcoins
Large investors have notably adjusted their strategies in the cryptocurrency market at the start of the new year. Following a powerful influx of capital into crypto funds in the early weeks of January 2026 (totaling over $1.2 billion), a wave of capital outflows ensued. Investments in Bitcoin funds have particularly diminished: over the past two weeks, more than $1 billion has been withdrawn from American spot BTC-ETFs (around $394 million was pulled out just last Friday), indicating the caution of "smart money." Capital outflows have also affected Ethereum funds — according to CoinShares, approximately $350 million has left ETH-ETFs in the first weeks of the month.
Concurrently, the inflow of investments is shifting towards specific altcoins. Exchange-traded funds focused on XRP accumulated around $1.3 billion in assets under management by mid-January, making it the second-fastest achievement of this milestone after the Bitcoin ETF. Solana is also attracting institutional interest: the spot ETFs launched in the autumn of 2025 have already surpassed $1 billion in assets. Notably, leading Wall Street bank Morgan Stanley submitted an application to the SEC at the beginning of 2026 to register several crypto ETFs (for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana), and Bank of America simultaneously allowed its clients to make direct investments in digital assets — these steps affirm the growing institutional demand for cryptocurrencies beyond traditional BTC and ETH.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
Investor sentiment indicators have deteriorated sharply. The "fear and greed" index for cryptocurrencies has fallen to around 25 points out of 100, indicating a "fear" state. This is one of the lowest readings in recent months, sharply contrasting with the "greed" mode observed in the autumn. The negative news background and price declines have significantly heightened caution among players, many of whom are reducing risk positions.
Market volatility remains elevated. The sharp movements in Bitcoin prices in recent days have been accompanied by massive liquidations of margin positions. According to Coinglass, approximately $230 million worth of positions were forcibly closed in the last 24 hours, with the majority coming from long positions in BTC and ETH. Experts note that low trading liquidity on weekends exacerbated the "domino effect" during the decline: the triggering of stop orders and margin calls caused a chain reaction of sell-offs. Analysts recommend that investors exercise caution: historically, periods of extreme fear in the market have often preceded reversals and recovery phases, but there are no guarantees of a swift rebound under the current conditions.
Forecasts and Expectations
Experts hold divergent views on the future dynamics of the market. Some analysts maintain a bullish outlook, viewing the current decline as a correction within an ongoing upward trend. For example, several investment banks forecasted Bitcoin's rise to new highs over the next 12–18 months at the beginning of the year, although these estimates have been adjusted in light of recent volatility (Standard Chartered Bank reduced its year-end BTC forecast from $300,000 to $150,000). Proponents of an optimistic scenario point to the continued institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies and the potential easing of monetary policy in the second half of 2026 — these factors could lead to a renewed influx of capital into the market.
Concurrently, cautious and bearish forecasts are gaining traction. Technical analysts warn that if support around $85,000 is breached, Bitcoin may re-test last year’s lows (around $74,000). Some pessimists foresee a deeper decline down to $50,000 if macroeconomic conditions worsen. The coming days will be pivotal for the cryptocurrency market: the results of the Fed meeting and financial reports from leading tech companies expected this week will set the tone for risk assets. If regulators soften their rhetoric or corporations exceed expectations, digital assets may gain momentum for recovery. Conversely, consolidation and heightened volatility may persist until signs of improvement in the macroeconomic situation emerge.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC trades around $88,000, approximately 30% below its all-time high, with a market capitalisation of about $1.8 trillion (≈60% of the total market).
- Ethereum (ETH) – the leading altcoin and platform for smart contracts. ETH is priced around $2,900, significantly lower than its historic values; its market capitalisation is approximately $350 billion (~12% of the market). Ethereum remains the backbone for DeFi and NFT issuance, confidently holding second place.
- Ripple (XRP) – the token for the Ripple payment network for cross-border transactions. XRP trades around $2.00; its market capitalisation is ~ $120 billion. Regulatory clarity regarding XRP's status in the US and increasing institutional interest have propelled the token back into the top three market leaders.
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin, pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is widely used for trading and transactions, with a capitalisation of approximately $150 billion; the coin maintains a stable price of $1.00 (≈₽81.50).
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and the native token of the BNB Chain ecosystem. The value of BNB is around $600; its capitalisation is ~ $85 billion. Despite legal pressures on Binance, the token remains in the top five due to its extensive utility in trading and DeFi.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralised applications. SOL is trading around $130 (capitalisation ~ $52 billion), having recovered significantly from last year's decline. Interest in Solana is supported by ETF launches and the growth of its project ecosystem.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second-largest stablecoin, backed by reserves in US dollars (issuer – Circle). The price of USDC holds steady at $1.00, with a capitalisation of ~ $60 billion. USDC is widely used by institutional investors and in DeFi due to the transparency of its reserves and reliability.
- Cardano (ADA) – a blockchain platform with a scientific approach to network development. ADA is priced around $1.05 (capitalisation ~ $35 billion) after rising in anticipation of the ETF launch. Cardano attracts attention with plans for upgrades and an active community believing in the project's long-term potential.
- TRON (TRX) – a platform for smart contracts and multimedia dApps, popular in Asia. TRX trades around $0.30; its market value is ~ $30 billion. TRON retains its position in the top 10 partly due to the widespread use of the network for issuing stablecoins (a significant amount of USDT circulates on the TRON blockchain).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke. DOGE hovers around $0.18 (capitalisation ~ $27 billion), supported by its devoted community and periodic celebrity attention. Despite high volatility, Dogecoin remains among the top coins, demonstrating remarkable investor interest resilience.
The Cryptocurrency Market as of Morning 27 January 2026
Prices of Major Cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin (BTC): $87,680
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,920
- XRP (XRP): $1.92
- BNB (BNB): $610
- Solana (SOL): $130
- Tether (USDT): $1.00 (≈₽81.50)
Market Indicators:
- Total Cryptocurrency Market Capitalisation: $3.0 trillion
- Bitcoin's Market Share: 58.3%
- Fear and Greed Index: 25 (Fear)
Leaders of Change Over the Last 24 Hours:
- Growth: Chainlink (LINK) — +4%
- Decline: Shiba Inu (SHIB) — -8%
Analysis: Bitcoin and Ethereum remain under pressure near current levels, while the sentiment index has dropped to extremely low values, reflecting a sharp rise in caution in the market. The growth leader LINK indicates investors' targeted interest in projects with solid fundamental value, while the decline of SHIB can be attributed to capital outflows from highly speculative assets amid waning risk appetite.
