Global Cryptocurrency News, Sunday, January 11, 2026: Bitcoin Consolidates Around $90,000 After a Volatile Week, Moderate Growth in Ethereum and Major Altcoins Amid Macroeconomic Uncertainty, Institutional Interest Remains Strong, Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies
By the morning of January 11, 2026, the cryptocurrency market had largely stabilised after significant fluctuations in the preceding days. Bitcoin's price held steady around $91,000, with the total market capitalisation of cryptocurrencies estimated at approximately $3.1 trillion, following a brief drop mid-week. The leading altcoins, especially Ethereum, mirrored Bitcoin's trend, with many of the top ten digital assets showing moderate gains. Investors, including institutional players, continue to participate in the crypto market, albeit with a more cautious approach due to mixed macroeconomic signals and corrected prices. Long-term factors—such as increased regulation and the adoption of crypto instruments within traditional financial markets—continue to bolster interest in the sector.
Bitcoin Consolidates Around $90,000
Following a volatile start to the year, Bitcoin (BTC) has consolidated around the psychologically significant level of $90,000 to $91,000. In the early days of January, the leading cryptocurrency attempted a rally, reaching approximately $94,800 on January 5 (the local maximum in recent months) before facing a correction. By the morning of January 8, the price of BTC dipped below $90,000, negating the gains from the start of the week; however, Bitcoin has since recovered and returned to around $91,000. The current levels are approximately 25% lower than its all-time high (around $124,000, achieved in August 2025), yet since the beginning of 2026, BTC has still shown a growth of about 3%. Bitcoin's market capitalisation is now estimated at approximately $1.8 trillion, representing about 58% of the overall cryptocurrency market.
Analysts note that Bitcoin's dynamics are influenced by a contradictory news background. On one hand, there are expectations for an easing of monetary policy: weak economic data from the US (for instance, the ADP report for December showed a gain of only approximately 41,000 jobs instead of the anticipated 50,000) has bolstered forecasts that the Federal Reserve may begin to cut interest rates in the second half of 2026. Such a accommodative monetary policy typically favours risk assets like cryptocurrencies, sustaining bullish sentiment. On the other hand, geo-economic uncertainty is constraining growth: investors are cautiously awaiting resolutions regarding trade disputes and other political factors. In particular, market attention has focused on the ongoing Supreme Court process concerning the legality of tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, the outcome of which could affect risk appetite. Under these conditions, Bitcoin demonstrates relative resilience— even on the 17th anniversary of its creation (the genesis block of BTC was mined on January 3, 2009), the first cryptocurrency retains its status as "digital gold" and a key asset in the sector.
Ethereum Maintains Second Position
Ethereum's (ETH) price is following in the wake of Bitcoin's performance and as of January 11, it is trading around $3,200. In the early days of the new year, Ethereum reached approximately $3,300, marking its highest levels since autumn, and during the first week of January, ETH gained around 6%. Despite the pullback from its historical peak ($4,900 in November 2021), Ethereum confidently retains its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation. Currently, the capitalisation of ETH stands at around $380 billion, equating to approximately 12% of the total cryptocurrency market value.
Interest in the smart contract platform remains high. Institutional investors gained a new avenue for investment in Ethereum in 2025 with the launch of the first spot ETFs based on Ethereum in the US, leading to record inflows into ETH-related investment products. This reflects the confidence of major players in Ethereum's long-term prospects as a foundational infrastructure for decentralised applications (DeFi, NFTs, etc.). Technical developments within the ecosystem continue: network upgrades and scaling solutions (layer twos) are strengthening Ethereum's market position. Experts note that the combination of technological leadership and support from institutionals maintains Ethereum's potential for further price growth in the mid-term.
Altcoins: Mixed Market Dynamics
After a tumultuous 2025, the broad altcoin market is exhibiting mixed movements as we progress into 2026. Most of the major cryptocurrencies have seen only minor price fluctuations (within a few percentage points) in recent days, indicating a phase of consolidation. The total capitalisation of altcoins (excluding Bitcoin) remains around $1.3 trillion, significantly lower than the peak of $1.7 trillion observed last summer, yet indicating sustained interest from investors in alternative digital assets. Several major altcoins continue to trade near their multi-year highs. For instance, Ripple (XRP)—a token for cross-border payments—has managed to maintain high levels due to the legal clarity regarding its status (Ripple's victory over the SEC in 2025) and the emergence of ETFs based on it. XRP is currently trading above $2 (for comparison, its peak in 2025 was approximately $3), and its market capitalisation (~$100 billion) has once again secured its spot among the top three. Another example is Binance Coin (BNB): despite regulatory pressure surrounding the Binance exchange, the native token of this platform is valued at around $500 (capitalisation of approximately $80 billion) and remains within the top five. Although the current price of BNB is below its all-time high (~$750), the coin demonstrates resilience due to its extensive applicability in the exchange ecosystem and on the BNB Chain blockchain.
High performance is also evident among platform tokens. Solana (SOL) rose again above $150 per coin in early January, marking its first instance above this threshold since 2022. SOL's rally was supported by the announcement of the first spot ETF based on this network in the US at the end of 2025—new investment access propelled growth, bringing Solana's capitalisation close to ~$60–70 billion. Another altcoin within the top ten, Cardano (ADA), has attracted analyst attention: at the end of last year, the investment firm Grayscale submitted an application to launch an ETF related to ADA, which has stimulated interest in this platform. Consequently, ADA has, at times, posted double-digit percentage price growth (though the psychologically significant level of $1 has yet to be surpassed), reaffirming its status as one of the most promising projects. Separately, the meme cryptocurrency segment is worth noting: during the first week of January, there was a surge in demand for high-risk "meme coins". For instance, Dogecoin (DOGE) appreciated by over 20% in seven days, while Shiba Inu (SHIB) rose nearly 19%. The total capitalisation of the meme token market exceeded $45 billion, indicating active retail trader participation and a risk-on sentiment in certain market niches.
Institutional Investors and Crypto ETFs
One of the key trends in recent months has been the high involvement of institutional investors in cryptocurrencies. In 2025, the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on Bitcoin and Ethereum were approved in the US, granting broader access to digital assets for large players through traditional stock exchanges. By the end of the year, regulators approved ETFs for some altcoins—including XRP and Solana. The introduction of these instruments marked a significant milestone, demonstrating the expanding interest of the financial industry in various crypto assets.
Following the launch of these new funds, the initial weeks of their operations brought record capital inflows. However, by the beginning of 2026, the dynamics had changed somewhat: recent data indicated a short-term outflow from spot crypto ETFs amidst price corrections. For instance, during trading on January 7–8, total outflows from U.S. Bitcoin funds amounted to approximately $0.5 billion, while funds based on Ethereum saw a loss of around $0.16 billion—marking the first series of consecutive sessions with net capital outflows since their inception. Experts view this trend as a profit-taking move following the late 2025 rally, rather than a decline in trust: institutional players still hold record volumes of crypto assets historically. Major asset management companies (BlackRock, Fidelity, etc.), hedge funds, and even pension programs have included Bitcoin and Ethereum in their portfolios, considering them a promising asset class for diversification. Factors supporting interest from institutional investors in crypto include hedging against inflation risks, the growing adoption of blockchain technology, and demand from clients. Currently, regulators are reviewing applications for ETF launches for other cryptocurrencies (e.g., Cardano), indicating further expansion of institutional participation in the market in the future.
Market Sentiment and Volatility
The autumn correction of 2025 significantly cooled market participants’ enthusiasm, and investor sentiment remains restrained. The Fear and Greed Index for cryptocurrencies has been in the "fear" zone since mid-December. As of January 8, its value stood at 28 out of 100 points, reflecting predominant trader apprehensions and a tendency towards cautious trading. Analysts note that a prolonged period of low index values may indicate a market oversold condition—historically, similar levels often preceded local upward reversals as the most nervous players exited positions. Conversely, persistent fear indicates that confidence has yet to return after the recent price collapse. This dichotomy is also evident in market structure: despite an overall "fear" index, pockets of speculative activity (such as the rise of meme tokens) suggest a contradictory sentiment among different investor groups. Experts recommend that market participants maintain composure and practice risk management: until new fundamental drivers emerge, sharp optimism spikes may quickly be followed by sell-offs.
Short-term volatility remains heightened. Sharp price movements in early January led to widespread liquidations of margin positions on cryptocurrency exchanges. According to Coinglass, over the 24 hours leading up to the morning of January 8, positions worth more than $460 million were liquidated, with approximately $415 million of this amount attributed to long positions betting on market growth. As a result of the rapid price downturn, over 127,000 traders faced forced position closures. This cleansing of overly optimistic long positions (long squeeze) exacerbated Bitcoin’s price decline; however, such episodes highlight the risks for players using high leverage. In recent years, the crypto market has faced similar volatility surges—for instance, on October 10, 2025, amid an unexpected macroeconomic shock, a record liquidation of positions worth around $19 billion occurred in a single day. This instance demonstrated that market participants should be prepared for sudden price surges and downturns, particularly when trading on margin.
Forecasts and Expectations
Market participants' views on the outlook for 2026 are divided. Some analysts believe that following the vigorous growth of the previous year, the market may continue to cool down. They point to historical cyclicality: in the past, after a year of peak updates (as experienced in 2025), periods of decline often followed. This scenario is supported by risks from external factors—some experts caution that a potential burst of the "bubble" surrounding the AI hype or other macroeconomic shocks could trigger another decline in cryptocurrency prices in the first half of 2026. Additionally, a significant portion of long-term holders of BTC and ETH remains in profit from the rally, and their continued profit-taking could exert pressure on the market. Analysts at CryptoQuant note that the market's clearing of short-term speculators and "weak hands" during the autumn sell-offs has largely cleared the way for more stable dynamics, but they do not rule out the possibility of another corrective phase.
Conversely, another group of experts is more optimistic. They suggest that with unprecedented institutional participation and the integration of cryptocurrencies into the global economy, traditional four-year cycles may soften—it's anticipated that even if a bearish trend persists, it will be less lengthy and deep than previous "crypto winters". They forecast that following the current consolidation phase, the market may return to growth already in the second half of 2026, particularly if external macroeconomic conditions become more favourable (e.g., slowing inflation, lowering rates). Certain scenarios propose a wave-like development: noticeable downturns could be expected in the summer (June-July), followed by a new ascent towards the end of the year. Some months, as assessed by strategists, are likely to become particularly successful for cryptocurrencies—specifically, April and the period from October to December 2026 are viewed as potentially strong segments when the market could reclaim its losses.
Overall, the consensus is that the fundamental drivers for industry growth remain intact. Cryptocurrencies continue to expand their use cases, and blockchain technologies are being implemented across finance, supply chains, and other sectors, reducing costs and enhancing efficiencies. This is positively skewed towards the market long-term. Therefore, even in the case of further corrections, many investors perceive it as an opportunity to accumulate assets at lower prices. With institutional interest sustained and the absence of new shocks, the majority of analysts expect that the capitalisation of the cryptocurrency market will gradually resume its growth in the second half of the year, potentially reaching new highs from 2025 within 12 to 18 months. Regarding long-term targets, major financial institutions continue to present bullish forecasts. Several Wall Street banks maintain target levels for Bitcoin significantly above current prices—ranging up to $150,000–200,000 in the coming years—based on Bitcoin's limited supply and growing demand. Of course, whether these forecasts will materialise remains to be seen, depending on the further evolution of the global economy.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of January 11, 2026, the following digital assets comprise the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation:
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $91,000 after recent volatility, with a market cap of approximately $1.8 trillion (≈58% of the entire market).
- Ethereum (ETH) — the leading altcoin and smart contract platform. ETH is valued at approximately $3,200, significantly below its historical highs, with a market capitalisation of around $380 billion (≈12% of the market).
- 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 market capitalisation of approximately $170 billion; the coin consistently maintains its $1.00 price due to reserve backing.
- Ripple (XRP) — the token for the Ripple network for cross-border settlements. XRP is currently trading around $2.00, with a market capitalisation of ~ $110 billion. Legal clarity regarding XRP's status in the US (following the court ruling in 2025) and the launch of ETFs based on this token have reinforced investor confidence, allowing XRP to regain its position among market leaders.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the native token of the BNB Chain. BNB is priced around $500 (capitalisation of approximately $80 billion). Despite regulatory complexities surrounding Binance, the token remains in the top five due to its broad use case within the exchange and DeFi segment.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralised applications (dApps). SOL is trading around $150 per coin (capitalisation ~$60 billion), recovering a significant portion of the decline from autumn 2025. The interest in Solana is fuelled by the launch of the first ETF based on this asset and the growth of the ecosystem of projects built on it.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin backed by reserves in US dollars (issued by Circle). USDC is maintained at the $1.00 level, with a capitalisation of approximately $60 billion. USDC is actively utilised by institutional investors and in DeFi protocols due to its transparency and regular auditing of reserves.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform that emphasises a scientific approach to development. ADA is currently priced at approximately $0.70 (capitalisation ~$23 billion) following a correction from local highs. Cardano is drawing attention with plans to launch an ETF related to this token and an active community that believes in the long-term growth of the project.
- TRON (TRX) — a platform for smart contracts and decentralised applications, particularly popular in Asia. TRX is trading around $0.25; market capitalisation is ~ $22 billion. TRON remains in the top ten partly thanks to the extensive use of the network for stablecoin issuance (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the Tron blockchain).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, initially created as a joke. DOGE is trading near $0.14 (capitalisation ~$21 billion), supported by community loyalty and intermittent celebrity attention. The volatility of Dogecoin remains high, yet it continues to rank among the top ten coins, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest.
