Current Cryptocurrency News for Friday, 9 January 2026: Bitcoin Holds Above $90,000, Altcoins Surge, Overview of Top 10 Cryptocurrencies, and Key Global Trends for Investors.
The global cryptocurrency market confidently embarks on 2026. The total market capitalisation of digital assets has surpassed $3 trillion, gaining approximately 5% in the first week of January. Bitcoin (BTC) consistently remains above the $90,000 mark, while several major altcoins are outpacing it in growth. For instance, Ethereum (ETH) has increased by around 10% since the beginning of the year, and XRP has risen by more than 25%, indicating a resurgence of investor interest in risk assets.
The market's optimism is buoyed by a combination of factors: expectations for a loosening of monetary policy, the emergence of new institutional products (such as spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies), and technological advancements. With greater clarity in regulation, a number of large financial firms are expanding their footprints in the crypto industry, enhancing investor trust worldwide.
Bitcoin: Dynamics and Trends
Bitcoin is exhibiting a moderately positive dynamic in the first week of January following a volatile end to the previous year. Early in the week, the price of BTC climbed above $93,000, and currently hovers around $92,000, which is approximately 6% above the year-start level. Despite a downturn at the end of 2025, when Bitcoin retreated from its record high (~$126,000 set in mid-last year), the current recovery signals a return of bullish sentiment.
Experts note that for a new upward trend to be confirmed, Bitcoin must surpass the psychologically significant level of $100,000. The nearest technical resistances are positioned around $94,000 to $95,000, while key support zones are estimated to be in the range of $88,000 to $90,000. The interest of institutional investors and signs of decreasing inflationary pressure bolster optimism surrounding Bitcoin.
Ethereum: Network Upgrade and Price
The second-largest asset, Ethereum (ETH), is trading at around $3,200, having strengthened by approximately 10% since the start of the year. The price of ETH remains below its all-time high ($4,950 reached in August 2025); however, the sentiment around Ethereum is positive due to progress in network development. On 7 January, Ethereum developers successfully activated the ‘Fusaka’ update (BPO-2), increasing the blockchain's throughput by raising the data cap (so-called ‘blobs’) in each block. Improvements in scalability and reduced fees enhance Ethereum's appeal to developers and DeFi users, which could support the value of ETH in the long run.
Altcoins: XRP and Other Growth Leaders
Among altcoins at the onset of 2026, XRP stands out, being among the top five cryptocurrencies. Its price surged by approximately 25% (to ~$2.2) within just the first week of January. The primary reasons for the XRP rally include:
- Inflow of funds into XRP funds: By the end of 2025, amid a general downturn, there was capital inflow into spot ETFs linked to XRP, while Bitcoin and Ether ETFs experienced outflows. This established a foundation for the January rise in XRP.
- Increased Attention: XRP has become a focal point of intensified interest, gaining a reputation in the media as the ‘favourite’ of early 2026, which has spurred demand from both retail and institutional investors.
- Fundamental Factors: Ripple is expanding its global presence (partnerships in Asia, plans to launch a crypto bank in the USA), while the supply of XRP on exchanges is decreasing. These changes bolster confidence in the token.
Consequently, XRP is displaying the best performance among major cryptocurrencies, although such a sharp rise may also bring about increased volatility. Beyond XRP, other altcoins have also continued to rise. Solana (SOL) has strengthened above $130 amid a revival of its ecosystem and interest from institutional investors (including expectations for the launch of an SOL ETF). Binance Coin (BNB) has reached a new high of around $900, indicating trust in the Binance platform. Tron (TRX), Cardano (ADA), and the meme token Dogecoin (DOGE) are also still within the top ten, although their recent growth has been more subdued.
Institutional Adoption and Regulation
The integration of cryptocurrencies into the global financial sector continues to deepen, propelled by recent events:
- New Products from Banks: Morgan Stanley became the first major bank to file applications with the SEC for ETFs linked to Bitcoin and Solana. This move enhances the legitimacy of the crypto industry and may prompt competitors to follow suit.
- Crypto in Client Portfolios: Bank of America has allowed its advisors to include cryptocurrencies up to 4% in portfolios. This step reflects the recognition of cryptocurrencies as an asset class within traditional banking.
- Regulator Adaptation: In the USA, regulatory policy has become more lenient; for instance, in December, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) permitted banks to facilitate crypto transactions, bridging traditional finance and digital assets. In the European Union, a comprehensive MiCA regulation is coming into force, introducing unified rules for the crypto market and boosting confidence among institutional investors.
- Expansion of Payment Infrastructure: Visa reported that spending on its crypto cards grew by 525% over 2025. The company is expanding its support for stablecoins (across various blockchains), demonstrating the integration of cryptocurrencies into the global payment system.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies: Market Overview
At the beginning of 2026, the following digital assets are among the largest by market capitalisation:
- Bitcoin (BTC): the largest cryptocurrency (~$1.8 trillion). BTC hovers around $92,000, attributed to the resurgence of institutional interest (ETFs and others) following the downturn at the end of 2025.
- Ethereum (ETH): the second-largest asset (~$380 billion). ETH is trading at around $3,200 (+10% since the beginning of the year); recent network updates enhance its scalability and strengthen investor confidence.
- Tether (USDT): the leading stablecoin ($1, capitalisation ~$187 billion), providing high market liquidity and widely used for transactions in the crypto economy.
- XRP (XRP): one of the top five crypto assets (~$130 billion). XRP (~$2.2) surged by ~25% at the start of the year, driven by institutional inflows and Ripple's successes in promoting the token.
- Binance Coin (BNB): the token of the Binance ecosystem (~$124 billion). BNB (~$900) is nearing its historical maximum, reflecting strong demand for Binance's services and the use of the coin within the platform.
- Solana (SOL): a platform for decentralised applications (~$76 billion). SOL (~$135) continues to recover thanks to the high speed of the network and attention from major investors (launch of ETF expected).
- USD Coin (USDC): stablecoin ($1, ~$75 billion), issued by the Centre consortium. USDC attracts users with transparency of reserves and recognition from regulators.
- Tron (TRX): token of the Tron network (~$28 billion). TRX (~$0.29) is in demand in Asia due to the active use of the network for cross-border transfers and transactions with stablecoins.
- Dogecoin (DOGE): meme cryptocurrency (~$25 billion). DOGE (~$0.15) remains among the leaders due to community support and periodic surges in interest on social media.
- Cardano (ADA): smart contracts platform (~$14 billion). ADA (~$0.40) is steadily progressing, allowing the project to remain among leading crypto assets, albeit with more moderate price growth.
Macroeconomic Background
External conditions at the start of 2026 have a mixed impact on the cryptocurrency market. On the one hand, the US Federal Reserve reduced its key rate for the first time in a long period in December 2025, sparking a rally in stock markets. The easing of monetary policy traditionally enhances the attractiveness of risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
However, there remain constraining factors. By the end of 2025, gold had risen to record levels of $4,300 per ounce amid geopolitical risks, signalling a flight of capital to ‘safe havens’. Moreover, interest rates remain high, limiting the inflow of funds into digital assets. Thus, some investors have begun to increase their stake in cryptocurrencies in anticipation of further easing, while others still prefer defensive assets.
Market Outlook
The beginning of 2026 instils cautious optimism among market participants. Many experts believe that the market may have already reached its ‘bottom’ at the end of 2025, so a recovery phase is likely ahead. Ongoing institutional inflows, technological progress, and easing monetary policy support the scenario for further growth.
If positive trends persist, Bitcoin and leading altcoins could gradually return to their historical peaks (and then exceed them). Nevertheless, rapid growth does not exclude risks; a worsening macro environment (such as a new wave of capital flight to gold) or stringent regulatory measures could temper the market. In such conditions, investors should maintain a balanced approach and remain vigilant for external signals.
Overall, the industry enters 2026 with a more developed infrastructure and support from major players. In the absence of shocks, cryptocurrencies stand a chance for a successful year; however, high volatility dictates the need for discipline and a long-term perspective when investing.
