Cryptocurrency News for Thursday, 29 January 2026: Bitcoin Stabilises Around $90,000, Altcoins Exhibit Mixed Dynamics, Institutional Interest Rises, Top 10 Cryptocurrency Overview and Global Crypto Market Trends.
As of the morning of 29 January 2026, the global cryptocurrency market is demonstrating relative stability following recent volatility. The total capitalisation of digital assets hovers around $3.2 trillion, with little change over the past 24 hours. The dynamics among the top 100 cryptocurrencies are mixed: some coins continue to recover from the mid-month correction, while others remain under pressure. Investors maintain an interest in crypto assets amidst signals of easing monetary policy and gradual regulatory improvements worldwide. The beginning of 2026 is marked by cautious optimism: despite recent price fluctuations, the sector is strengthening its positions due to an influx of institutional capital and expanding blockchain technology integration.
Macroeconomic Background and Market Reaction
External factors continue to influence sentiments in the crypto market. This week, investor attention was drawn to the first Federal Reserve meeting of 2026. The decision to keep the key rate unchanged met market expectations and was received positively: uncertainty regarding monetary policy in the short term has decreased. This alleviated pressure on risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin and Ethereum, which were declining prior to the announcement, stabilised and began to show cautious growth. However, there remain dampening factors: the global economy continues to face geopolitical uncertainty and signs of slowing growth, which may limit investor appetite for high-risk assets. Nevertheless, overall macroeconomic conditions at the beginning of the year appear more favourable for the crypto market than at the end of 2025, largely due to easing inflationary pressures and expectations for further central bank policy easing.
Bitcoin: Stability Following Correction
Bitcoin (BTC) remains around the $90,000 mark, showing signs of stabilisation after the volatile fluctuations of the past month. Earlier in January, the flagship cryptocurrency surged above $95,000 and approached the psychologically significant threshold of $100,000, only to undergo a correction amid overall investor caution. The current recovery of Bitcoin is associated with improved sentiments following the Fed's decisions and the influx of new capital: large investors view the proximity of the rate to its peak as a signal to resume purchases of risk assets. The market capitalisation of BTC still exceeds $1.7 trillion, accounting for over 55% of the entire cryptocurrency market, reflecting Bitcoin's status as "digital gold" and a primary industry indicator. Analysts note that for a confident return to a bull trend, Bitcoin needs to overcome the resistance zone of $95–100 thousand. Should macroeconomic conditions continue to improve and institutional investors maintain their interest, BTC may test its historical highs again, with the nearest support levels remaining in the $85–88 thousand range.
Ethereum: Network Maintains Activity
Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, is trading above $3,000, also attempting to consolidate after its recent decline. As of today, the ETH price oscillates around $3,200, close to the levels seen at the start of the month. Over the last fortnight, Ethereum, along with Bitcoin, has experienced a drop of about 10% from its local peaks, but investor interest remains high. Amidst market stabilisation, Ethereum's network activity continues to grow: transaction volumes and the amount locked in DeFi protocols remain at elevated levels. Ethereum developers are focused on further updates aimed at scaling the network and reducing fees, instilling confidence in the platform's long-term potential. There has also been an influx of funds into Ethereum-related investment products, with new exchange-traded funds targeting a basket of altcoins and ETH tokens entering the market, thereby facilitating capital inflows into the ecosystem. Overall, Ethereum moves in tandem with Bitcoin, maintaining a market share of around 18%, with many market participants viewing current levels as attractive for long-term investments based on expected future technological improvements to the network.
Altcoins: Uneven Dynamics
As January draws to a close, the altcoin market displays mixed results. Some major altcoins are tracking Bitcoin, attempting to recover losses, while others continue to correct. A notable highlight is the strengthening of Ripple (XRP): the token of the Ripple payment network has gained price and hovers around $2.10. Investors view XRP's resilience positively after regulatory uncertainties were resolved last year, along with the increasing adoption of Ripple's solutions for cross-border payments by major financial firms. Another focus of the market remains Chainlink (LINK): earlier this month, this oracle cryptocurrency surged into the top ten by market capitalisation, driven by double-digit growth following the launch of the first spot ETF based on Chainlink. Currently, LINK is consolidating after its spike, trading below the $50 mark but retaining significant community and developer support, having integrated its oracles into numerous blockchain applications. Overall, the leading altcoins are moving unevenly: Solana (SOL) attempts to strengthen after declines, supported by increased activity from applications on its blockchain, while some previously rapidly growing projects (e.g., meme cryptocurrencies) are facing profit-taking. Nevertheless, the overall share of altcoins in the market capitalisation remains around 45%, with periodic capital rotations between Bitcoin and altcoins continuing in response to news backgrounds and risk appetite.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC trades around $90,000, reaffirming its role as "digital gold" and a key indicator of crypto market sentiment. Limited issuance and recognition from institutional investors support long-term demand for Bitcoin.
- Ethereum (ETH) — the second-largest digital asset by capitalisation and leading platform for smart contracts. The price of ETH is approximately $3,200; Ethereum serves as the foundation for DeFi and NFT ecosystems. Continuous technical updates and a broad demand for network services strengthen Ethereum's position in the market.
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar (1:1). USDT is widely used for trading and transactions, providing liquidity in the crypto market. Tether's capitalisation exceeds $150 billion, with the coin consistently holding a price of $1.00 due to its reserves backing.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. BNB is used to pay fees on the platform and within BNB Chain applications. The coin trades around $900, remaining near historical highs, with its capitalisation (~$140 billion) ensuring a leading position in the market.
- Ripple (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment platform for cross-border transfers. XRP holds around $2.10; its capitalisation is estimated at approximately $110 billion. Recent legal clarity in the US and increasing adoption of Ripple's technology by banks have reinforced XRP's position within the top five cryptocurrencies.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second most significant stablecoin, backed by US dollar reserves (developed by Circle). USDC maintains a stable price of $1.00 and has a capitalisation of about $60 billion. Due to the transparency of reserves and regulation, USDC is widely used by institutional investors and in the DeFi sector.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralised applications. SOL trades around $140 per coin (capitalisation ~ $55 billion), trying to recover after a recent correction. Solana attracts developers with its network scalability and low fees, competing with Ethereum in the smart contract space.
- Tron (TRX) — a blockchain platform known for its active application in the entertainment sector and issuing stablecoins. TRX trades around $0.30 (market cap ~ $27 billion) and retains its place in the top ten due to its popularity in the Asian region and integration with content and financial applications.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, which started as a joke. DOGE trades around $0.14 (capitalisation ~ $20 billion) and is supported by community enthusiasm and periodic interest from celebrities. Despite high volatility and lack of capped supply, Dogecoin continues to be used for micro-transactions and remains one of the most mentioned altcoins.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform developed with a scientific approach. ADA is priced at approximately $0.40 (capitalisation ~ $14 billion) following significant growth in previous years and subsequent correction. The Cardano project focuses on scalability and security for deploying smart contracts; its active community and ongoing technical updates keep ADA among the most popular cryptocurrencies.
Institutional Investments and Crypto ETFs
At the start of 2026, the cryptocurrency market is receiving notable support from institutional investors. Capital flow into specialised crypto products continues to grow: in January, total investments in cryptocurrency funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) exceeded the levels seen at the end of last year. There remains particular interest in Bitcoin ETFs, launched in the US in autumn 2025: according to industry analysts, in the first weeks of January, the inflow of funds into spot Bitcoin funds reached a record $1.5 billion. Additionally, new ETFs focusing on Ethereum and baskets of leading altcoins have emerged on the market, expanding opportunities for traditional financial players to invest in digital assets. Simultaneously, trading volumes on regulated futures markets are increasing: open interest in Bitcoin futures and options has risen by more than 10% since the beginning of the year, reflecting a revival in trader activity.
Institutional interest is also manifested through direct investments. Large public companies continue to augment their cryptocurrency reserves: this week, several corporations in the technology and finance sectors announced the acquisition of Bitcoin and Ethereum to diversify treasury reserves. The persistence of players like MicroStrategy (whose BTC holdings exceed 700,000 BTC) serves as a barometer of long-term business confidence in the potential of cryptocurrencies. Additionally, payment giants are expanding their operations with crypto assets: for example, Visa and Mastercard report an increase in transactions using stablecoins and cryptocurrency cards, integrating blockchain solutions into the global payment infrastructure. All these trends indicate that digital assets are increasingly penetrating the traditional financial system, gaining recognition as a legitimate asset class for investment.
Regulation and Global Adoption
The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrencies is gradually improving, creating conditions for broader adoption of digital assets worldwide. In many jurisdictions, new rules aimed at making the market more transparent and secure for investors, while not stifling innovation, are set to take effect in early 2026. Below are some key changes and initiatives:
- European Union: As of January, the comprehensive Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation officially came into force, introducing uniform requirements for crypto assets and the activities of crypto firms within the EU. The new rules enhance market transparency and establish standards for investor protection, fostering increased trust from institutional participants.
- United States: Work on comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation will continue in the United States. Although final laws have yet to be enacted at the federal level, regulators (SEC, CFTC, etc.) are actively discussing oversight approaches for the industry. At the beginning of 2026, Congress resumed hearings on stablecoin regulation and the classification of digital tokens, which offers hope for clearer rules forming in the near future.
- Asia: Asia-Pacific countries are accelerating the integration of cryptocurrencies into the financial sector. In Hong Kong and Singapore, licensing regimes for crypto exchanges and platforms have been introduced, attracting blockchain companies from around the world to these financial hubs. In Japan, regulators are easing restrictions for banks looking to offer crypto services, while South Korea is discussing tax breaks for investors in digital assets.
- Middle East: Gulf states aim to become hubs for the crypto industry. The United Arab Emirates is implementing progressive regulations to attract major crypto exchanges to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while Saudi Arabia is investing in blockchain startups as part of its economic diversification efforts. These moves strengthen the region's position as one of the centres for global crypto business.
Besides legislative initiatives, technological integration is on the rise: central banks in many countries continue experiments with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and explore the use of blockchain to enhance the efficiency of financial services. In the traditional financial sector, there is active adoption of distributed ledger technologies: major exchanges and banks are testing the tokenisation of stocks and bonds, implementing blockchain to speed up settlements and reduce costs. All these trends indicate a gradual embedding of cryptocurrencies and related technologies within the global economy while simultaneously increasing regulation and trust from governmental bodies.
Market Prospects
Despite the fluctuations experienced over the past few months, the overall outlook for the cryptocurrency market remains moderately optimistic. Experts note that the correction at the end of 2025 has laid the groundwork for healthier future growth: excessive hype has dissipated, and participants with long-term plans are entering the market. In the short term, the dynamics of crypto assets will depend on external factors — including the development of macroeconomic conditions and geopolitical events. Easing tensions in global markets and the continuation of stimulus policies could rekindle investors' appetite for risk, serving as a driver for a new stage of digital asset rallies.
At the same time, the strengthening of institutional infrastructure and clarification of regulatory frameworks create a more stable foundation for the industry than in previous years. The emergence of regulated investment products, increased confidence from corporations, and the integration of blockchain solutions across various economic sectors all point to the maturation of the crypto market. It is likely that the market will retain volatility in 2026, responding to global events, but each cycle makes the industry more mature: investors gain experience, technologies improve, and digital currencies continue to integrate deeper into the global financial system. For investors, this means the need to remain vigilant, while also recognising that fundamental trends — such as growing recognition of cryptocurrencies and development of innovations — continue to work in favour of long-term industry growth.
