Cryptocurrency News for Monday, 26 January 2026: Bitcoin Strengthens Above $90,000, Ethereum at $3,000, Altcoins Mixed, Investors Await Signals from the Fed
As of the morning of 26 January 2026, the global cryptocurrency market is showing moderate strength after a volatile trading week. Bitcoin (BTC) has strengthened above the $90,000 mark, remaining close to previously reached historical peaks. Ethereum (ETH) is holding steady around $3,000, while many leading altcoins exhibit mixed dynamics: some assets are gradually recovering from recent losses, while others are stagnating. The total market capitalisation of the cryptocurrency market has once again surpassed $3 trillion. Investors remain cautiously optimistic, taking macroeconomic signals and industry news into account when assessing future prospects.
Cryptocurrency Market Overview
Currently, the total capitalisation of the crypto market exceeds $3 trillion, gaining about 1% over the last 24 hours. Bitcoin traded in the range of approximately $89,000 to $92,000 over the past day and is currently valued at around $91,500, which is 1% higher than yesterday morning's level. Ethereum is fluctuating around $3,050, having gained about 1.5% over the day. Other major assets include: BNB around $910 (+1%), XRP ~ $2.00 (+2%), SOL ~ $132 (+1.5%), TRX ~ $0.33 (+1%). Stablecoins USDT and USDC continue to hold near $1, providing the necessary liquidity to the market.
Bitcoin Remains Above Key Level
The flagship cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has recently broken previous records and is nearing the psychologically significant mark of $100,000. Currently, BTC is consolidating above $90,000, and market participants are evaluating the prospects for a further surge. Analysts note that a confident breakout above the $100,000 level could pave the way for Bitcoin to enter a new phase of growth, although near-term fluctuations due to profit-taking by some investors are not ruled out.
The support for BTC's price comes from the influx of institutional capital following the launch of the first spot Bitcoin ETFs at the end of 2025, as well as expectations of a loosening of monetary policy by the US Federal Reserve. The fundamental indicators of the network remain strong: the total hash rate of miners recently reached a historical peak, indicating the stability and security of the blockchain. On-chain data reflects that long-term holders continue to accumulate coins, demonstrating confidence in Bitcoin's long-term prospects.
Ethereum and Other Market Leaders
Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, is trading around $3,050. Despite impressive growth in 2025, Ethereum has yet to return to its historical peak (approximately $4,800 in 2021); nonetheless, investors remain optimistic thanks to the continued development of the Ethereum ecosystem. Following the network's transition to a Proof-of-Stake mechanism, millions of ETH remain locked in staking, providing holders with an annual yield of about 5% and reducing the supply of coins in the market. Ethereum continues to serve as the foundation for most DeFi applications and NFT platforms, maintaining high demand for ETH from developers and users.
Binance Coin (BNB), the fourth-largest digital asset (~$910), displays relative stability. The token continues to play a key role in the Binance ecosystem – from paying fees on the largest cryptocurrency exchange to being used in Binance Smart Chain applications – which sustains interest in BNB from traders and investors. XRP (~$2.00), ranked fifth by capitalisation, has strengthened its position after the legal status of the Ripple token was clarified in the US in 2025. The XRP cryptocurrency benefits from increasing use of the Ripple network for international payments and transfers, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Solana (SOL) remains among the market leaders: the high-performance blockchain platform has recovered to around $132, attracting new projects due to its fast and inexpensive transactions. Approximately 70% of SOL coins are currently engaged in staking, reflecting community confidence in the project and further reducing the available supply in the market.
Altcoins: Mixed Dynamics and Local Rallies
While the overall market has strengthened, a broad-based "altcoin season" is yet to be observed. Bitcoin's dominance in total capitalisation has risen to around 60% — the highest level in several years, as most alternative coins lag behind BTC in growth rates. Many investors are exercising caution and prefer to focus on the most reliable assets among market leaders.
At the same time, certain altcoins are experiencing sharp price spikes amid speculative demand. For instance, several little-known tokens have surged by dozens or even hundreds of per cent within a short period. Such local rallies indicate that some market participants remain willing to take on increased risk in the pursuit of quick profit, despite the general caution in the altcoin sector.
Institutional Interest and Integration into Finance
Even amid recent volatility, the interest of large investors and corporations in digital assets remains historically high. The crypto industry is becoming increasingly integrated into the traditional financial system. Major players on Wall Street and corporations are using market corrections as an opportunity to build positions: for example, one well-known holding company recently increased its BTC reserves to approximately 3% of the total Bitcoin supply. Such actions demonstrate institutional confidence in cryptocurrency even during price pullbacks. Additionally, funds focused on digital assets continue to attract capital – last week, the inflow into crypto funds exceeded $2 billion, primarily into Bitcoin funds.
Concurrently, the infrastructure and regulatory framework are evolving. Major banks and exchanges are launching products for cryptocurrency investments – from spot ETFs on Bitcoin and Ethereum (several such funds are already operational in the US with combined assets in the tens of billions of dollars) to platforms for trading tokenised securities. Many central banks are exploring possibilities for digital currencies: in China, the functionality of the state digital yuan (e-CNY) continues to expand, while G20 countries are discussing the formulation of global principles for regulating stablecoins and crypto assets. All these trends confirm that despite short-term fluctuations, institutional and corporate interest in cryptocurrencies is unwavering, laying the groundwork for future market growth.
Regulation: Global Oversight Intensifies
- USA: American regulators are ramping up control over the crypto industry. The SEC and CFTC recently held a joint forum on cryptocurrency issues, demonstrating their intent to coordinate market regulation. A bill, known as the Clarity Act, is advancing in Congress, aiming to establish clear rules for digital assets – from cryptocurrency exchange operations to stablecoin issuance – to enhance market transparency.
- Europe: The EU's comprehensive MiCA regulation has come into effect, setting unified requirements for crypto assets and service providers in EU countries. The introduction of universal rules across the internal market simplifies the operations of crypto companies and provides a higher level of investor protection.
- Asia and Other Regions: Financial centres in Asia and the Middle East are also tightening oversight. Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UAE are introducing licensing for cryptocurrency exchanges and projects, seeking to attract innovation to their jurisdictions while simultaneously protecting investors. At the same time, international organisations (G20, IMF) are discussing approaches to global cryptocurrency regulation, which could establish unified standards for the industry.
The global trend is evident: governments are striving to integrate the cryptocurrency market into the legal framework. Increased attention from regulators, on one hand, may temporarily create uncertainty, but in the long run, it has the potential to enhance trust among major players and provide clearer conditions for industry development.
Macroeconomics and Its Impact on the Crypto Market
Macroeconomic factors continue to significantly influence the dynamics of cryptocurrencies. Inflation in the US and Europe is slowing compared to peak levels of previous years, easing pressure on central banks and reducing the likelihood of further tightening of monetary policy. The US Federal Reserve indicates the possibility of initial rate reductions in the second half of 2026, and markets are already pricing in these expectations. The prospect of a more lenient monetary policy encourages the inflow of capital into riskier assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Stock indices have recently demonstrated positive dynamics, creating a favourable backdrop for digital assets. The improvement in the macro environment (declining inflation, rising stock markets) supports investor interest in cryptocurrencies. And ahead of the upcoming Fed meeting scheduled for the end of January, market participants remain cautious, awaiting signals from the regulator.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of 26 January 2026, the top ten largest and most popular cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation are as follows:
- Bitcoin (BTC) — ~$92,000. The first and largest cryptocurrency, often referred to as "digital gold," dominates the market (with a share of approximately 60% of total capitalisation).
- Ethereum (ETH) — ~$3,050. The leading smart contract platform that underpins decentralised finance (DeFi) and NFT ecosystems.
- Tether (USDT) — $1.00. The largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar; widely used for trading and settlements, providing liquidity to the market.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — ~$910. The native token of the Binance ecosystem, used for paying fees and in applications on the Binance Smart Chain.
- XRP (XRP) — ~$2.00. A cryptocurrency for cross-border payments from Ripple, targeting banks and payment systems worldwide.
- USD Coin (USDC) — $1.00. The second-largest stablecoin issued by the Centre consortium (Circle), fully backed by reserves in US dollars.
- Solana (SOL) — ~$132. A high-speed blockchain for smart contracts; attracts projects with fast and cheap transactions.
- TRON (TRX) — ~$0.33. A platform for decentralised applications and stablecoin issuance, particularly popular in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — ~$0.13. The most well-known meme cryptocurrency; despite its humorous origins, it remains among the largest coins due to community support and periodic attention from media and celebrities.
- Cardano (ADA) — ~$0.37. A blockchain platform for smart contracts, developed gradually on a scientific basis; with steady development and community support, Cardano remains among market leaders.
Thus, the cryptocurrency market begins a new week on 26 January 2026 in a state of relative stability and moderate optimism. Investors are watching to see if Bitcoin can maintain its position above the key level of $90,000 and attempt to storm the new peak at $100,000. At the same time, market participants take into account external factors – macroeconomic signals and regulatory moves – when assessing further risks and opportunities. If favourable conditions persist (low inflation, influx of institutional money, balanced regulation), digital assets may resume their growth in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, volatility remains high, making a prudent approach to investment and portfolio diversification essential. Such a cautious strategy will allow investors to harness the potential of the cryptocurrency market while maintaining control over risks.
