Current Cryptocurrency News for Friday, January 9, 2026: Bitcoin Holds Above $90,000, Altcoin Surge, Top 10 Cryptocurrency Overview, and Key Global Trends for Investors.
The global cryptocurrency market is starting 2026 on a strong note. The total market capitalization of digital assets has surpassed $3 trillion, gaining approximately 5% in the first week of January. Bitcoin (BTC) remains consistently above the $90,000 mark, while several major altcoins are outpacing it in terms of growth. For instance, Ethereum (ETH) has gained around 10% since the beginning of the year, while XRP has surged by more than 25%, indicating a resurgence of investor interest in risk assets.
The market optimism is supported by a combination of factors: expectations of a loosening monetary policy, the introduction of new institutional products (such as spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies), and technological advancements. In light of clearer regulations, several major financial firms are expanding their presence in the crypto industry, thereby strengthening investor confidence worldwide.
Bitcoin: Dynamics and Trends
Bitcoin has shown moderately positive dynamics in the first week of January after a volatile end to the previous year. Early in the week, the price of BTC rose above $93,000, and it currently hovers around $92,000—about 6% higher than the start of the year. Despite a downturn at the end of 2025, when Bitcoin pulled back from its record high (~$126,000, reached 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 around $94–95,000, while key support zones are estimated to be in the range of $88–90,000. Interest from institutional investors and signs of decreasing inflationary pressure underpin the optimism surrounding Bitcoin.
Ethereum: Network Upgrade and Price
The second-largest asset by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH), is trading around $3,200, having strengthened by about 10% since the start of the year. The price of ETH still remains below its record high ($4,950, reached in August 2025), however, sentiment surrounding Ethereum is positive, thanks to ongoing network development. On January 7, Ethereum developers successfully activated the "Fusaka" upgrade (BPO-2), increasing the blockchain's throughput by enhancing the data limit (i.e., "blobs") in each block. Improvements in scalability and reduced transaction fees enhance Ethereum's appeal for developers and DeFi users, which could support ETH's value in the long term.
Altcoins: XRP and Other Growth Leaders
Among altcoins at the start of 2026, XRP stands out, being ranked in the top five cryptocurrencies. Its price surged approximately 25% (to ~$2.2) in just the first week of January. The main reasons for XRP's rally include:
- Influx of funds into XRP Funds: In late 2025, amidst a general downturn, there was an influx of capital into spot ETFs for XRP, while Bitcoin and Ether ETFs faced outflows. This set the stage for XRP's growth in January.
- Increased Attention: XRP has become a focus of intensified interest, gaining a reputation in the media as the "favorite" of early 2026, which has fueled 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 U.S.), and the supply of XRP on exchanges is decreasing. These changes bolster confidence in the token.
As a result, XRP is demonstrating the best performance among major cryptocurrencies, although such a sharp rise may also lead to increased volatility. Other altcoins have also continued to grow. Solana (SOL) has strengthened above $130 amidst a revival of its ecosystem and interest from institutional investors (including expectations for the launch of an ETF on SOL). Binance Coin (BNB) has reached a new high of ~$900, reflecting strong demand for Binance services and the coin's utility within the platform. Tron (TRX), Cardano (ADA), and the meme token Dogecoin (DOGE) also remain in the top ten, although their recent growth has been more restrained.
Institutional Adoption and Regulation
The integration of cryptocurrencies into the global financial sector is deepening, aided by the following developments:
- New Products from Banks: Morgan Stanley has become the first major bank to file with the SEC for Bitcoin and Solana-linked ETFs. This step strengthens 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 move reflects the acknowledgment of cryptocurrencies as an asset class in traditional banking.
- Regulatory Adaptation: In the U.S., regulatory policies have become more accommodating; 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, the comprehensive MiCA regulation is coming into effect, introducing standardized rules for the crypto market and enhancing institutional investor confidence.
- Expansion of Payment Infrastructure: Visa reported a 525% increase in spending through its crypto cards in 2025. The company is expanding support for stablecoins across various blockchains, showcasing the integration of cryptocurrencies into the global payment system.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies: Market Overview
At the start of 2026, the following digital assets are among the largest by market capitalization:
- Bitcoin (BTC): the largest cryptocurrency (~$1.8 trillion). BTC is holding around $92,000, driven by the resurgence of institutional interest (ETFs, etc.) following the downturn at the end of 2025.
- Ethereum (ETH): the second largest asset (~$380 billion). ETH is trading around $3,200 (+10% since the start of the year); recent network upgrades are improving its scalability and strengthening investor confidence.
- Tether (USDT): the leading stablecoin ($1, market cap ~$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 close to its historical high, reflecting high demand for Binance services and the use of the coin within the platform.
- Solana (SOL): a platform for decentralized applications (~$76 billion). SOL (~$135) continues its recovery due to its high network speed and attention from major investors (with the anticipated launch of an ETF).
- USD Coin (USDC): a stablecoin ($1, ~$75 billion), issued by the Centre consortium. USDC attracts users due to the transparency of its reserves and recognition by regulators.
- Tron (TRX): the token of the Tron network (~$28 billion). TRX (~$0.29) is in demand in Asia, thanks to the active use of the network for cross-border transfers and stablecoin operations.
- Dogecoin (DOGE): a meme cryptocurrency (~$25 billion). DOGE (~$0.15) remains among the leaders due to community support and occasional surges in social media interest.
- Cardano (ADA): the smart contract platform (~$14 billion). ADA (~$0.40) is gradually developing, allowing the project to remain among the leading crypto assets, although its price growth has been restrained.
Macroeconomic Background
External conditions at the beginning of 2026 are having a mixed impact on the crypto market. On one hand, the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered interest rates for the first time in a long while in December 2025, triggering a rally in stock markets. Looser monetary policy typically boosts the attractiveness of risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
However, there are also restraining factors. By the end of 2025, gold prices had risen to record highs of $4,300 per ounce amid geopolitical risks, signaling capital outflows into "safe havens." Additionally, interest rates remain high, limiting the influx of funds into digital assets. As a result, some investors have begun to increase their cryptocurrency allocations in anticipation of further easing conditions, while others continue to prefer defensive assets.
Market Outlook
The start of 2026 instills cautious optimism among market participants. Many experts believe that the market reached a "bottom" at the end of 2025, suggesting a potential recovery period ahead. Ongoing institutional inflows, technological advancements, and the easing of monetary policy support the scenario of further growth.
If positive trends continue, Bitcoin and leading altcoins could eventually return to their historical peaks (and possibly surpass them). However, rapid growth does not exclude risks: a worsening macro environment (for example, a new wave of flight to gold) or stringent regulatory actions could cool the market. In such conditions, investors should maintain a balanced approach and carefully monitor external signals.
Overall, the industry is entering 2026 with a more developed infrastructure and support from major players. In the absence of shocks, cryptocurrencies stand a good chance of having a successful year, although high volatility necessitates discipline and a long-term perspective when investing.
