Cryptocurrency News, Thursday, January 15, 2026: Bitcoin Hits Two-Month High, Chainlink ETF Launches on NYSE
As trading commenced on January 15, the cryptocurrency market displayed optimism: the total market capitalisation surpassed $3.23 trillion, reflecting an increase of over 3% in just 24 hours. Below are the key market indicators:
- Bitcoin fluctuated between $91,800 and $96,500, nearing its two-month high of approximately $96,000.
- Ethereum traded around $3,330 (+6.0% in 24 hours), Ripple (XRP) at around $2.15 (+3.7%), Dogecoin at ~$0.148 (+6.0%), and Cardano at ~$0.421 (+6.6%).
- Binance Coin (BNB) stood at about $937 (+3.0%), Solana was around $145 (+2.1%), and other leading altcoins also experienced gains amid a general bullish sentiment.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin continues its recovery following December’s correction. On Wednesday, Asian markets witnessed BTC reaching $96,348, the highest since mid-November, maintaining a steady upward trend throughout January. As of the morning of January 15, BTC is valued at approximately $95,000, representing a ~5% increase since the beginning of the year. Despite Bitcoin remaining about 27% below its all-time high of $126,000 (October 2025), experts remain optimistic. Their forecasts suggest that depending on macroeconomic dynamics, the price by the end of 2026 could range from $75,000–100,000 to $200,000–250,000 per coin. Geopolitical instability and low interest rates are intensifying interest in Bitcoin as “digital gold”—a hedge against global economic uncertainty.
Altcoins and Other Assets
The wave of recovery has also impacted most altcoins. Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, has risen to approximately $3,300 (an increase of ~6% in 24 hours) and is aiming to breach key technical resistance levels. Other top cryptocurrencies are trading above yesterday's prices: XRP is around $2.15 (+3.7%), Dogecoin at ~$0.15 (+6%), Binance Coin approximately $937 (+3%), Solana at ~$145 (+2.1%), and Cardano around $0.42 (+6.6%). The market for privacy coins has witnessed a surge in activity, with Monero (XMR) reaching an all-time high, exceeding $680 per coin, driven by growing interest in transaction anonymity. Analysts note that the issue of privacy is taking centre stage in the crypto industry.
Institutional Trends
Institutional players and major funds are actively ramping up their positions in cryptocurrencies. According to analysts, corporate hedge funds and public companies have purchased an additional 260,000 BTC over the past six months—almost three times higher than the mining volume during the same period. The largest corporate Bitcoin reserve holder remains MicroStrategy (holding approximately 687,000 BTC, over 60% of all corporate reserves)—at the beginning of January, it announced a record purchase of 13,627 BTC in a single week. In addition to Bitcoin buyers, interest in crypto ETFs remains robust: in 2025, over $22 billion in net investments flowed into spot Bitcoin ETFs, supporting demand for this asset. For the first time, the range of such products is expanding—on January 15, 2026, the world’s first spot cryptocurrency ETF for Chainlink (ticker CLNK) will start trading on NYSE Arca, allowing investors to gain direct exposure to LINK without the need for self-custody of tokens.
Regulation and Legislation
Active discussions regarding the legal status of cryptocurrencies continue in various countries. In Russia, the State Duma is preparing a bill that will remove digital assets from “special regulation” and equate them with standard financial instruments. According to the initiative, non-qualified investors will be allowed to buy cryptocurrency worth up to 300,000 rubles per month, and cryptocurrencies will be officially recognised as a means of payment. This law is expected to be one of the main topics in the spring parliamentary session. In the US, the Senate has postponed hearings on cryptocurrency market regulation, indicating a need for further discussions on regulatory measures. Meanwhile, several countries, including certain European and Asian jurisdictions, are considering easing regulations for cryptocurrency platforms and investors, creating an overall positive sentiment for the market.
Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) - the first and most well-known cryptocurrency. Bitcoin has the largest market capitalisation and is viewed by investors as “digital gold,” serving as a hedge against inflation.
- Ethereum (ETH) - the second-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation and the leading platform for smart contracts and DeFi applications. Ethereum powers thousands of decentralised protocols and continues to attract growth-oriented investors.
- Binance Coin (BNB) - the native token of the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. BNB is used to pay fees on the platform and to participate in projects on the Binance Smart Chain blockchain, making it a popular tool within the Binance ecosystem.
- Ripple (XRP) - the token of the Ripple payment network designed for fast international transfers. XRP is distinguished by the high speed of transactions and is supported by financial institutions, despite ongoing litigation with regulators.
- Solana (SOL) - a blockchain known for its high throughput, low fees, and rapid transaction confirmations. SOL is widely used in NFT and gaming projects due to the network's performance.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) - a meme cryptocurrency initially created as a joke project but which gained widespread attention. DOGE is often used for micropayments and donations and attracts attention due to support from well-known entrepreneurs and a growing community.
- Cardano (ADA) - a next-generation blockchain with a Proof-of-Stake consensus model, based on scientific research. ADA is designed for scalable and energy-efficient applications, and its development is supported by a reliable team of developers.
- Polkadot (DOT) - a multi-chain protocol allowing different blockchains to interact with each other. DOT facilitates the exchange of data and assets between networks, expanding the possibilities for decentralised finance and cross-chain applications.
- Avalanche (AVAX) - a blockchain platform with high speed and customizable architecture. AVAX is actively used in DeFi projects and offers the ability to create custom subnets tailored to various business cases.
- Chainlink (LINK) - a decentralised oracle network transmitting external data to blockchains. LINK enables smart contracts to obtain information about asset prices and real-world events. At the beginning of 2026, the first spot ETF based on LINK will be launched, further increasing investor interest in this coin.
In conclusion, it can be observed that the global cryptocurrency market retains investor optimism. Key drivers include institutional investments (bank funds and corporate reserves), the launch of new financial products (ETFs on altcoins), and macroeconomic factors. At the same time, regulatory initiatives in many countries are creating conditions for a broader adoption of cryptocurrencies in the economy. However, investors should be prepared for volatility: decisions by the Federal Reserve regarding interest rates, news about global inflation, and other unforeseen events may cause short-term market fluctuations. Key levels being monitored by market participants are the $100,000 mark for Bitcoin and the $4,000–5,000 range for Ethereum. Analysts believe that breaching these thresholds could pave the way for the next rally in the crypto space. In the current environment, maintaining a diversified portfolio and considering long-term fundamental factors remain crucial strategies for investors.
