Cryptocurrency News, Thursday, January 15, 2026: Bitcoin Hits Two-Month High, Chainlink-ETF Launched on NYSE
As trading opens on January 15, the cryptocurrency market displays optimism: the total market capitalization has exceeded $3.23 trillion, reflecting a growth of over 3% in 24 hours. Below are the key market indicators:
- Bitcoin fluctuated in the range of $91,800–$96,500, approaching a two-month high of around $96,000.
- Ethereum is trading around $3,330 (+6.0% in 24 hours), Ripple (XRP) around $2.15 (+3.7%), Dogecoin at ~$0.148 (+6.0%), Cardano at ~$0.421 (+6.6%).
- Binance Coin (BNB) is priced at around $937 (+3.0%), Solana around $145 (+2.1%), with other leading altcoins also rising amid the overall bullish sentiment.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin continues to recover from its December correction. On Wednesday, in Asian markets, the BTC price reached $96,348, its highest since mid-November, continuing its gradual upward trend into January. As of the morning of January 15, BTC is valued at approximately $95,000, about 5% higher than the start of the year. Despite still being approximately 27% below its all-time high of $126,000 (October 2025), experts maintain optimism. Depending on macroeconomic trends, their end-of-2026 price estimates range from $75,000 to $100,000 and up to $200,000–$250,000 per coin. Geopolitical instability and low-interest rates are amplifying 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 cap, has risen to ~$3,300 (about a 6% increase in 24 hours) and is targeting key technical resistance levels. Other top coins are also trading above yesterday's values: XRP around $2.15 (+3.7%), Dogecoin ~$0.15 (+6%), Binance Coin ~$937 (+3%), Solana ~$145 (+2.1%), Cardano ~$0.42 (+6.6%). The market for privacy coins has seen a surge in activity: Monero (XMR) has reached an all-time high, surpassing $680 per coin amid rising interest in transaction anonymity. Analysts note that the topic of privacy is coming to the forefront in the crypto industry.
Institutional Trends
Institutional players and large funds are actively building positions in cryptocurrencies. According to analysts, corporate hedge funds and public companies have collectively acquired around 260,000 BTC over the past six months — almost three times the amount mined during the same period. The largest holder of corporate Bitcoin reserves remains MicroStrategy (approximately 687,000 BTC, over 60% of all corporate holdings) — at the beginning of January, it announced a record purchase of 13,627 BTC in one week. In addition to Bitcoin buyers, interest in crypto ETFs remains strong: 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 ETF for the cryptocurrency Chainlink (ticker CLNK) will begin trading on the NYSE Arca, allowing investors to gain direct exposure to LINK without having to store tokens themselves.
Regulation and Legislation
Active discussions are ongoing in various countries regarding the legal status of cryptocurrencies. In Russia, the State Duma is preparing a bill that will remove digital assets from "special regulation" and equate them with standard financial instruments. Under this initiative, unqualified investors will be allowed to purchase cryptocurrency up to 300,000 rubles per month, and cryptocurrency will be officially recognized as a means of payment. This law is expected to be a key topic during the spring parliamentary session. In the U.S., the Senate has suspended hearings on a bill to regulate the cryptocurrency market, indicating the need for further discussion on regulatory measures. At the same time, several countries, including some European and Asian jurisdictions, are considering easing rules for cryptocurrency platforms and investors, creating a generally positive sentiment for the market.
Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and most well-known cryptocurrency. Bitcoin possesses the largest market capitalization and is viewed by investors as "digital gold," serving as a hedge against inflation.
- Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization and the primary platform for smart contracts and DeFi applications. Ethereum supports thousands of decentralized protocols and continues to attract investors focused on industry growth.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. BNB is used to pay fees on the platform and participate in projects on the Binance Smart Chain, 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 characterized by its quick transaction speeds and is supported by financial institutions, despite ongoing litigation with regulators.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-throughput blockchain known for low fees and fast transaction confirmations. SOL is widely used in NFT projects and gaming applications due to the network’s performance.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – a meme cryptocurrency originally created as a joke project but has gained widespread popularity. 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 based on academic research. ADA is designed for scalable and energy-efficient applications, and its development is supported by a strong team of developers.
- Polkadot (DOT) – a multi-chain protocol enabling different blockchains to interact with each other. DOT facilitates data and asset exchange between networks, expanding the capabilities of decentralized finance and cross-chain applications.
- Avalanche (AVAX) – a blockchain platform with high speeds and customizable architecture. AVAX is actively used in DeFi projects and offers the ability to create subnetworks, allowing the network to adapt to various business cases.
- Chainlink (LINK) – a decentralized network of oracles that transmits external data to blockchains. LINK enables smart contracts to access information about asset prices and real-world events. At the beginning of 2026, the first spot ETF based on LINK is launching, further increasing investor interest in this coin.
In summary, it can be noted that optimism among investors in the global cryptocurrency market remains strong. Key drivers include institutional investment (bank funds and corporate reserves), the launch of new financial products (ETFs for altcoins), and macroeconomic factors. At the same time, regulatory initiatives in many countries create a foundation for the broader adoption of cryptocurrencies in the economy. However, investors should be prepared for volatility: decisions from the Federal Reserve regarding interest rates, news about global inflation, and other unexpected events can lead to 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. Breaking through these levels, analysts believe, could pave the way for the next rally in the crypto space. In the current conditions, maintaining a diversified portfolio and considering long-term fundamental factors remain important strategies for investors.
